Birmingham Weekender welcomes 125,000 visitors to free annual festival
Birmingham Hippodrome and Bullring & Grand Central welcomed over 125,000 people to its free family-friendly festival, Birmingham Weekender during the bank holiday Weekend.
Birmingham Weekender returned to the city on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 August with a packed programme of installations, interactive experiences and energetic performances at Bullring & Grand Central and in the Hippodrome's home district of Southside.
Highlights included a giant swing set on Central Street, a spectacular stage at Rotunda Square, curated by young people and hosted by Rakeem Omar, presenter at BBC Radio WM and BBC Radio 1Xtra and Kaylee Golding, presenter at BBC Radio 1Xtra, and the Lumini, an inflatable walk-through of wonder, which hosted an array of workshops including yoga, sensory sessions and African drumming.
The festival culminated on Sunday with Weekender Carnival, a vibrant musical celebration and dance extravaganza by ACE Dance and Music featuring a mass procession through the streets of Birmingham.
Chris Sudworth, creative director at Birmingham Hippodrome said: “What a Weekender! It was fantastic welcoming so many people into the heart of Birmingham and seeing the city burst with creativity, joy and colour.
“We'd like to say a huge thanks to our partners, supporters, communities and incredible artists - both local and international - who helped us deliver our most accessible festival yet.”
Danielle Bozward, marketing manager at Bullring & Grand Central, added: “Our ongoing partnership with Birmingham Hippodrome has enabled us to deliver a bold and brilliant festival programme not only at Bullring & Grand Central but on the streets and squares of our city.
“Thank you to everyone who joined us - it was a truly special event.”
Birmingham Weekender was produced by Birmingham Hippodrome, in partnership with Bullring & Grand Central and supported by Birmingham City Council, Arts Council England, Without Walls, Southside District, The Arcadian and Network Rail.
