Birmingham Weekender returns in August
Birmingham Weekender is back this summer with free performances, fantastical installations, pop up experiences and new commissions from a host of regional, national and international companies.
The event happening between 23 to 26 August, is produced by Birmingham Hippodrome in partnership with Bullring and Grand Central.
Highlights include Unity from UK based Gorilla Circus where visitors can expect a large-scale spectacular in the skies including hair hanging artists, dance trapeze and high wire walks from Saturday to Monday.
People also can head to the Selfie Studio inside Bullring each day and immerse in pictures with a new commission from Birmingham creatives Pickle Illustration.
Following the sell-out success of Lumini in 2023, Architects of Air are back and bigger for 2024 in a large scale, inflatable installation which uses the beauty of light and colour to amaze and will take up residence in Victoria Square for the whole weekend.
Birmingham Weekender will also see an epic festival finale on 26 August which will include Island of Foam by Stephanie Luning from Germany. Multicoloured foam will fill St Martins Square creating an island of colour as well as CBSO taking over the lower mall in the Bullring for an orchestral performance.
Jon Gilchrist, artistic director and chief executive at Birmingham Hippodrome said: “Birmingham Weekender is a joyous celebration.
“I know from experience that Weekender provides magical memories that last a lifetime.
“This year expect jaw-dropping aerial performances, a larger-than-life walkthrough inflatable, multicoloured foam – that’s right foam – and pop-up performances across the city.
“We will celebrate the city’s rich culture, shine a spotlight on our own region’s talent and welcome artists from across the UK and further afield and in the process create some ‘goosebumps’ moments for everyone who joins us.”
Danielle Bozward from Bullring & Grand Central said: “Birmingham Weekender promises to be bigger and even better this year taking over more of the Bullring indoors, outdoors and even above Bullring. We are delighted to work in partnership with Birmingham Hippodrome to bring what is regular fixture to the city’s calendar to spectacular and colourful life.”
Birmingham Weekender 2024 is free to attend and runs from Friday 23 August to Monday 26 August. The full programme will be published later this month.
Birmingham Weekender 2024 is produced by Birmingham Hippodrome in partnership with Bullring & Grand Central with funding through HM Government’s and West Midlands Combined Authority’s Commonwealth Games Legacy Fund and Arts Council England.
Global Streets, Without Walls and FABRIC are programme partners.
It is supported by Birmingham City Council, United by 2022, Southside District, The Arcadian, Colmore BID, Central BID, Network Rail and is part of 100 Days of Creativity.
