20 brilliant things to do in Birmingham this June — from major sporting events to pioneering art exhibitions

Step back in time with a 90-minute immersive journey into Ancient Egypt thanks to Tutankhamun: The Immersive Exhibition. Opening at the NEC from June, this unique immersive experience blends virtual reality, immersive storytelling and authentic artefacts to recreate the world of Ancient Egypt. Endorsed by the Grand Egyptian Museum, the exhibition features recreated tombs, interactive rooms and an AI photobooth.

If summer isn’t about enjoying the sunshine, then we don’t know what it’s about. So head to one of Birmingham’s beer gardens, order a refreshing drink and unwind in the company of friends. What we’re looking for is lots of space to sit everyone, pretty surroundings that glisten in the sun and a great pub attached serving a good range of beverages—and from The Plough to The Old Crown, The Flapper to The Botanist, Birmingham boasts plenty of amazing pub gardens.

There’s nothing else like a Candlelight concert. Unwind this June to your favourite tunes in Birmingham’s most unique venues—all performed by an incredible string quartet, under the gentle glow of candlelight. And whether you’re a fan of Netflix’s Bridgerton, Studio Ghibli’s Joe Hisaishi or Hans Zimmer, there’s a concert for you.

It still surprises how few know about The Library of Birmingham’s secret garden. Climb to the seventh level to witness unbeatable views of the city. As beautiful greenery, the surrounding modern architecture and winding pathways make it an escape from the hustle and bustle below. Just borrow a book from the library and settle down in the sunshine (it is surprisingly quiet and peaceful).

Pop art pioneer Peter Phillips had a career that placed him alongside iconic artists like David Hockney, Pauline Boty, Peter Blake, and later Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein. Pop Goes Brum! honours the Birmingham‑born artist with a vibrant, free‑to‑view outdoor exhibition in Snow Hill Square this June—showcasing artworks and photographs, alongside contemporary works by current Birmingham School of Art students, where he studied and later taught.

Green-thumbed? A dab hand in the kitchen? BBC Gardeners’ World Live and the Good Food Show Summer arrive at the NEC in Birmingham in June. The two-for-one event offers four days of gardening displays and cookery demonstrations. From inspirational, expert advice from renowned gardening gurus and Michelin-trained chefs to shopping for all the latest food trends and garden must-haves, there’s no end to the excitement.

Fast-paced golf meets live music, amazing food, and epic entertainment at Blitz Golf, coming to Worcester this June. The world’s only golf event of its kind is being called the “T20 of golf”, as it’s fast-paced, dynamic, and entertainment-driven, completed in just three hours. Golf pros, celebrities, and fans alike will come together to compete head-to-head while soaking up the summer vibes, with live music and festival-style food.

The UK’s best athletes are set to compete at the Alexander Stadium for the UK Athletics Outdoor Championships. For two action-packed days, athletes will compete to be national champions, as they bid to represent the country in the European Athletics Championships (also being held in Birmingham this August).

AnimeCon, aka the UK’s largest anime and manga convention, is the ultimate one-stop shop for anyone who loves Asian culture. This three-day show is just jam-packed with anime, manga, J-pop, K-pop, film, shopping, fashion, live concerts, guest appearances, and so, so much more.

Birmingham’s street food specialists continues its Summer Tour ’26 across landmark locations in the West Midlands. Catch Digbeth Dining Club everywhere from Walsall Arboretum to Lightwoods Park and Sutton Coldfield Rugby Club. Tuck into an 11-strong trader line-up, alongside DJs and craft bars as part of a 25-date tour.

Birmingham has a lot to offer in June, but the one thing it doesn’t have is beaches. Summer is upon us, and we all need some seaside sights, smells and sounds in our lives. Luckily, there are some cracking coastal towns near Birmingham that you must visit this summer. From Weston-super-Mare in the South West to Rhyl in North Wales, start packing the car for a day trip this June.

Catch England’s World Cup action with a big-event atmosphere. Head to the O2 Institute for huge screens, legends, DJs and special FX. 4TheFans is staging a huge immersive World Cup fan park for all three of the England group matches against Croatia, Ghana and Panama (and hopefully more games) on big screens with live pundits, DJs, exclusive food and bars, special FX and giveaways.

The Lexus Birmingham Open has been won 10 times by Wimbledon Champions since its inception in 1982. That’s why it’s become a bucket list tournament for all British tennis fans, as some of the world’s biggest men’s and women’s tennis stars are expected in Birmingham this June. A combined tournament will see men and women competing in the same week at the Edgbaston Priory Club.

Birmingham Rum Festival is looking to bring a slice of paradise to Moseley for its 11th anniversary this summer—with exotic cocktails, Caribbean and Latin American-inspired street food, and live reggae beats. This year’s festival will transform the Cuban Embassy into a vision of Havana. This is a holiday to Cuba without leaving Birmingham.

If you thought people stopped living in caves millennia ago, you might be surprised to learn about Kinver Edge. Home to a series of houses carved out of red sandstone, people lived here as recently as the 1950s. Today, these restored houses serve as a unique tourist attraction near Birmingham.

Tuck into everything from sandwiches to soup, cakes to coffee, at the unique rock-cut café. While The Book Nook must be the only cave-dwelling, secondhand bookshop in the world! The Rock House walking trail is the best way to take in all the surroundings, however. It takes you through a heathland abuzz with wildlife, children’s play areas, two explorable areas of rock houses and atop the Iron Age hill fort.

Channel 4’s life-affirming ‘The Piano’ wraps up series 4 with an end-of-series concert at Symphony Hall in Birmingham. Claudia Winkleman will guide the audience through the final stage of the competition. Featuring performances from Mika and a soon-to-be-announced guest artist, alongside amateur musicians invited to perform, the evening event, ‘The Piano: The Final Concert’, will be filmed for television.

In one of the world’s best cricket grounds, particularly known for its electric atmosphere during T20 matches, Birmingham will host the first match-up of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 this summer. England will take on Sri Lanka at Edgbaston on Friday, June 12, with six nations expected in Birmingham.

While England looks for the perfect start to their home tournament against Sri Lanka, cricket fans can expect a gripping double-header on Sunday, June 14. Bangladesh is up against tournament debutants Netherlands, before fans see in-form India take on Pakistan later that day. The final fixture at Edgbaston will see Pakistan return to Birmingham to face South Africa on the evening of Wednesday, June 17.

For a feel-good summer day trip from Birmingham, visit the Wyke Manor Estate’s Confetti Flower Fields this summer—a 14-day pop-up of psychedelic delphiniums, live music and biodegradable wedding confetti. Expect acres of delphiniums, live music, a Ferris wheel, food stalls and a cut flower stall.

Step into the arena and take on the Gladiators’ toughest challenges. With the arrival of the Gladiators Experience, test your balance and grip on Hang Tough, face off in Duel, tackle The Wall, and complete the legendary Eliminator. But the experience not only offers exhilarating physical challenges, but behind-the-scenes attractions too, as well as a huge superstore offering exclusive merchandise.

Jez Butterworth’s hugely acclaimed, prize-winning play, Jerusalem, is a comic, contemporary vision of life in England’s green and pleasant land. On St George’s Day, the morning of the local country fair, Johnny ‘Rooster’ Byron, local waster and Lord of Misrule, is a wanted man. Jerusalem is widely considered to be one of the best plays of the 21st century.