Free family festival Birmingham Weekender is returning for 2025 with a vibrant carnival feel over August Bank Holiday.
It is set to bring colourful outdoor installations, exhilarating performances and memorable experiences in Birmingham city centre around Bullring from Saturday August 23 to Bank Holiday Monday August 25.
Produced by Birmingham Hippodrome in partnership with Bullring, this year’s programme celebrates the very best local, national, and international artists. The full programme is set to be revealed soon.
The festival kicks off on Saturday with a vibrant dance and music carnival by ACE Dance and Music, featuring high-energy processions in and around Bullring.
Across the Bank Holiday weekend, festival-goers can expect a varied programme, including international productions and installations presented in partnership with Global Streets, as well as exciting new national commissions from Without Walls, bringing some of the UK’s leading outdoor artists to the city centre.
Accessibility remains a core commitment of Birmingham Weekender, with British Sign Language (BSL) interpreted and audio described performances, accessible viewing areas and a team of dedicated access hosts working across the festival and at the festival access hub.
Matt Evans, Head of Festivals & Sites at Birmingham Hippodrome, said: “Birmingham Weekender is a celebration of who we are as a city and this year’s festival will once again bring people together to share unforgettable moments in our streets and public spaces. Stay tuned – we can’t wait to reveal the full programme – there’s so much to look forward to!”
Danielle Bozward, Marketing & Placemaking Manager at Bullring, added: “We’re absolutely thrilled to bring Birmingham Weekender back for this August Bank Holiday weekend. Whether you’re discovering something new, dancing in the streets, or soaking up the atmosphere, the festival promises an extraordinary weekend for all.”
The festival is supported by Arts Council England, Without Walls, Global Streets, Network Rail & United By 2022.
In 2024, Birmingham Weekender was awarded The Place Making Award by the National Outdoor Events Association (NOEA), celebrating its role in creating a quality event in a public space and enhancing the space, as well as being receiving Bronze Award for Tourism Event Of The Year by West Midlands Tourism Awards.