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Supported by
birminghamweekender.com
Brought to you by
Produced by
Supported by
Programme Partners
City Partners
birminghamweekender.com Birmingham Hippodrome Registered Charity No. 510842
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Birmingham Weekender returns from Sat 29 to Mon 31 Aug, inviting audiences to discover the city centre in a whole new light with live DJs, hundreds of shimmering mirror balls and a packed programme of free events. It’s the perfect way to spend the August bank holiday weekend with friends and family. The free festival is brought to audiences by Bullring and HSBC UK and produced by Birmingham Hippodrome, spreading across the city at iconic landmarks including Bullring, Victoria Square and New Street Station. Join us and make some magical memories that will last a lifetime.
We want everyone to enjoy Birmingham Weekender At the festival we will have the following... • Access hosts wearing yellow T-Shirts. • BSL •
AD
• REL
British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters on selected performances and roaming at the festival. Live Audio Description on selected performances. Relaxed and reduced capacity sessions on selected performances.
• Accessible Viewing Points on selected performances. • Access hubs and chill-out spaces. • Access packs including ear defenders, colour therapy glasses and fidget toys. • Pre-visit information on the website including easy read information and Audio and BSL introductions to the festival and our access and inclusion provision. We will be providing large print and braille information at the festival in our access hubs.
You can find out more and plan your visit at
birminghamweekender.com
Photography and filming may be taking place at this event. If you have any questions, please speak to a member of the team or find out more at: birminghamhippodrome.com/privacy
FESTIVAL
GARBH
PROGRAMME
3 1000 TRADES SQUARE
OTEMPODIZ 2 NEW STREET STATION CONCOURSE
YOUNG CREATIVES TAKEOVER @ 0121 STAGE 1 VICTORIA SQUARE YOUNG CREATIVES Sat - Mon - 12pm until 6pm A weekend of the region’s most exciting artists programmed by the Hippodrome’s Young Advocates group.
THE IDEAS FACTORY BY HSBC UK 1 VICTORIA SQUARE Sat - Mon - 12pm until 6pm Dream big, get creative and bring your ideas to life in a playful interactive experience.
ELEVATEHER 1 VICTORIA SQUARE DAUGHTERS OF THE WIRE Sat - Mon - 2pm & 4.15pm A joyful all-female wire-walking show celebrating sisterhood through music and movement.
FACE PAINTING 1 VICTORIA SQUARE Sat - Mon - 12pm until 6pm Join the colourful celebrations with free face painting at the festival!
SIGN SPINNING ACROSS THE CITY MERCURIAL DANCE Sat - Mon - 12pm until 6pm Keep an eye out for incredible signspinning performances popping up across the city centre throughout each day.
ERTZA Sat - Sun - 2pm & 4pm A contemporary dance piece that fuses urban, traditional and contemporary movement to question our relationship with time.
DANCE FLASHMOBS 2 NEW STREET STATION CONCOURSE MARSHON DANCE COMPANY Sat - Mon - 12.45pm, 2.30pm & 5.15pm Marshon Dance Company is bringing electrifying flash mobs to New Street Station.
THE OPERA STATION 2 NEW STREET STATION CONCOURSE BIRMINGHAM OPERA COMPANY Sun - 1.45pm, 2.45pm, 3.45pm, 4.30pm, 5pm & 5.45pm Free live opera performances, bringing world-class singers and musicians into the heart of the city.
SHYAM DATTANI & MIRA SALAT Sat - Mon - 12pm & 3pm Touch Tour - 2.30pm An innovative outdoor dance work that reimagines ancient Gujarati folk dance.
KISMAT WALLA 3 1000 TRADES SQUARE THINGUMAJIG THEATRE Sat - Mon - 1.15pm & 4.30pm This street theatre puppet show is set on a magical cart, exploring fate and fortune in South Asian market life.
ALWAYS K-POP TAKEOVER WITH DJ EMKAY 4
BULLRING - MIRROR BULL CITY ROTUNDA SQUARE
Sat - 12pm until 6pm Always K-Pop brings a vibrant, family-friendly celebration of Korean music and culture to Mirror Bull City.
THE NIGHT OWL TAKEOVER BULLRING - MIRROR BULL CITY ROTUNDA SQUARE
GOT2SING CHOIR
4
2 NEW STREET STATION CONCOURSE
Sun - 12pm until 6pm The Night Owl brings its much-loved retro soundtrack to the heart of Birmingham Weekender.
Mon - 2pm & 4pm Got2Sing Choir brings uplifting community singing and infectious energy to Birmingham Weekender 2026!
SPOKEN WORD SESSIONS 2 NEW STREET STATION CONCOURSE ZAKARIYE Sat & Mon - 1.45pm, 3.45pm & 5pm Birmingham Weekender’s Poet in Residence captures the atmosphere, stories and moments that make the weekend unique.
SNOOPY TRAIL ACROSS THE CITY Sat - Mon Experience the final weekend of Central BID’s free Snoopy in Birmingham Family Trail!
LOVE WHAT YOU SEE?
HELP US KEEP IT FREE
MOSTLY JAZZ FUNK & SOUL TAKEOVER WITH HUEY MORGAN DJ SET 4
BULLRING - MIRROR BULL CITY ROTUNDA SQUARE
Mon - 12pm until 6pm Celebrate the final day with a Mostly Jazz, Funk & Soul takeover and headline set from legendary DJ, broadcaster and musician Huey Morgan, who will be DJ’g from 1.30pm until 3pm.
FESTIVAL
PROGRAMME
MOO 5 BULLRING - CENTRAL STREET CREATURE ENCOUNTERS Sat - Mon - 12pm, 2.15pm & 4.30pm Meet Hettie the Highland Cow as she heads to the market with a mischievous Badger named Mister Tatters.
EPICO THE DRAGON
PROPEL DANCE TAKEOVER 6 BULLRING - LOWER MALL WEST Sat - 2.15pm & 4.15pm Feel the energy, creativity and joy as world-class disability dance takes centre stage.
5 BULLRING - CENTRAL STREET CREATURE ENCOUNTERS Sat - Mon - 1.30pm & 3.45pm From out of the lair comes Epico the Dragon. A genuine dragon right before your eyes!
WALK OF THE DANDELION 5 BULLRING - CENTRAL STREET LUKE BROWN COMPANY Sat - Mon - 12.45pm, 3pm & 5.15pm Meet Daniel, an 8ft, ethereal puppet who gently roams, sharing moments of joy and quiet reflection.
BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET SHOWCASE
SPOKEN WORD SESSIONS 6 BULLRING - LOWER MALL WEST ZAKARIYE Sun - 12.30pm, 2.30pm & 3.30pm Birmingham Weekender’s Poet in Residence captures the atmosphere, stories and moments that make the weekend unique.
SÃO PAULO DANCE COMPANY CURTAIN RAISER 6 BULLRING - LOWER MALL WEST Sat - 2pm & 4pm See the next generation of dance talent perform, created with São Paulo Dance Company.
7 BULLRING - CHAOPHRAYA SQUARE Sat - Mon - 12pm until 6pm Enter our pop-up garden and explore ways to reconnect with nature!
DANDELION MAKING WORKSHOP 7 BULLRING - CHAOPHRAYA SQUARE LUKE BROWN COMPANY Sat - Mon - 12pm until 3pm & 3.30pm until 6pm Participants are invited to make woollen dandelions and share their own positive messages.
I HAVE NO NAME FRAGMENTS OF US
8 BULLRING - ST MARTIN’S SQUARE
6 BULLRING - LOWER MALL WEST
EL CONDE DE TORREFIEL Sat - Mon - 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm & 5pm This LED & sound installation asks audiences to reflect their relationship with the world around them.
TALAWA THEATRE Sun - 1pm & 4pm An intimate dance work exploring black identity, resilience & shared human experience.
6 BULLRING - LOWER MALL WEST BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET Sat - 12pm & 1pm Discover Birmingham Royal Ballet with ballet showcases in the heart of Bullring.
WEEKENDER GREEN HUB
CBSO IN THE CITY 6 BULLRING - LOWER MALL WEST CITY OF BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Mon - 1pm & 3pm City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra will pop-up performing orchestral favourites.
ACCESS HUB 4 BULLRING - ROTUNDA SQUARE Sat - Mon - 12pm until 6pm You can meet our access hosts, plan your day and collect resources to support you during your visit. If you need a break from the festival visit our chillout zone.
VICTORIA SQUARE
SATURDAY 29th AUGUST ALL DAY
1
NEW STREET STATION STATION CONCOURSE
2
3
1000 TRADES SQUARE
THE IDEAS FACTORY BY HSBC UK FREE FACE PAINTING
12 pm
12 - 1 pm
GARBH AD
12.15 pm 12.30 pm
0121 STAGE YOUNG CREATIVES ALTERNATIVE TAKEOVER
12.45 pm 1 pm
DANCE FLASHMOB
AD
1 - 2 pm
BSL
1.15 pm 1.30 pm
SPOKEN WORD SESSIONS
1.45 pm 2 pm
2 - 3 pm
2.15 pm
AD
KISMAT WALLA BSL
OTEMPODIZ
ELEVATEHER
BSL
DANCE FLASHMOB
2.30 pm 2.45 pm 3 pm
3 - 4 pm
0121 STAGE YOUNG CREATIVES ALTERNATIVE TAKEOVER
3.15 pm 3.30 pm
BSL
3.45 pm 4 pm
GARBH TOUCH TOUR
GARBH AD
BSL
SPOKEN WORD SESSIONS OTEMPODIZ
4 - 5 pm
4.15 pm 4.30 pm
ELEVATEHER
BSL
4.45 pm 5 pm
5 - 6 pm
5.15 pm 5.30 pm
0121 STAGE YOUNG CREATIVES ALTERNATIVE TAKEOVER
5.45 pm
BSL
END
6 pm
ALWAYS K-POP TAKEOVER WITH DJ EMKAY 4 MIRROR BULL CITY - ROTUNDA SQUARE - Sat - 12pm until 6pm Always K-Pop brings a vibrant, family-friendly celebration of Korean music and culture to Mirror Bull City. Whether you’re a dedicated fan or discovering K-Pop for the first time, expect an energetic mix of live DJ sets, random play dance, performances, workshops and interactive activities. Packed with colour, movement and feel-good energy, it’s the perfect soundtrack to kick off the festival weekend. See full day schedule online.
SPOKEN WORD SESSIONS DANCE FLASHMOB
KISMAT WALLA AD
BULLRING 4
ROTUNDA SQUARE
5
CENTRAL STREET
6
LOWER MALL WEST
CHAOPHRAYA SQUARE
8
ST MARTINS SQUARE
GREEN HUB
MIRROR BULL CITY MOO
K-POP CHOREOGRAPHY CLASS
BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET SHOWCASE AD
RELAXED HOUR
I HAVE NO NAME BSL
12 - 1 pm
ALWAYS K-POP WELCOME DJ SET
7
WALK OF THE DANDELION
EPICO DANCE SHOWCASE
I HAVE NO NAME
BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET SHOWCASE AD
CURTAIN RAISER
DANDELION MAKING WORKSHOP
MOO RANDOM PLAY DANCE
I HAVE NO NAME
AD
K-POP CHOREOGRAPHY CLASS DANCE SHOWCASE
I HAVE NO NAME
MOO
WALK OF THE DANDELION
PROPEL DANCE TAKEOVER
DANDELION MAKING WORKSHOP I HAVE NO NAME
BSL
5 - 6 pm
K-POP DJ PARTY
AD CURTAIN RAISER
4 - 5 pm
RANDOM PLAY DANCE
EPICO
3 - 4 pm
WALK OF THE DANDELION
PROPEL DANCE TAKEOVER
2 - 3 pm
I HAVE NO NAME
1 - 2 pm
RANDOM PLAY DANCE
END
Audio Described
AD
Relaxed Sessions REL British Sign Language Interpretation BSL
VICTORIA SQUARE
SUNDAY
30th AUGUST ALL DAY
1
NEW STREET STATION STATION CONCOURSE
2
3
1000 TRADES SQUARE
THE IDEAS FACTORY BY HSBC UK FREE FACE PAINTING
12 pm
12 - 1 pm
GARBH AD
12.15 pm 12.30 pm 0121 STAGE YOUNG CREATIVES POP TAKEOVER
12.45 pm 1 pm
DANCE FLASHMOB
AD
BSL
1 - 2 pm
1.15 pm 1.30 pm THE OPERA STATION
1.45 pm 2 pm
2 - 3 pm
2.15 pm
AD
KISMAT WALLA BSL
OTEMPODIZ
ELEVATEHER
BSL
AD
DANCE FLASHMOB THE OPERA STATION
2.30 pm 2.45 pm
GARBH TOUCH TOUR
3 pm
3 - 4 pm
0121 STAGE YOUNG CREATIVES POP TAKEOVER
3.15 pm 3.30 pm
GARBH AD
BSL
3.45 pm
THE OPERA STATION
4 pm
OTEMPODIZ
4 - 5 pm
4.15 pm 4.30 pm
ELEVATEHER
BSL
BSL
AD
THE OPERA STATION
4.45 pm
5 - 6 pm
5.15 pm 5.30 pm 5.45 pm
THE OPERA STATION DANCE FLASHMOB
BSL
5 pm 0121 STAGE YOUNG CREATIVES POP TAKEOVER
BSL
END
6 pm
THE NIGHT OWL TAKEOVER 4 MIRROR BULL CITY - ROTUNDA SQUARE - Sun - 12pm until 6pm The Night Owl brings its much-loved retro soundtrack to the heart of Birmingham Weekender. Resident DJs serve up an uplifting mix of funk, soul, Motown, disco and northern soul, creating a dancefloor beneath the mirror balls. Whether you’re dancing from the first track or simply soaking up the atmosphere, expect a joyful afternoon celebrating Birmingham’s rich music scene. See full day schedule online.
BSL
THE OPERA STATION
KISMAT WALLA AD
BULLRING 4
ROTUNDA SQUARE
5
CENTRAL STREET
LOWER MALL WEST
6
7
CHAOPHRAYA SQUARE
8
ST MARTINS SQUARE
GREEN HUB
MIRROR BULL CITY
BSL
SPOKEN WORD SESSIONS
RELAXED HOUR
I HAVE NO NAME BSL
12 - 1 pm
MOO
WALK OF THE DANDELION
EPICO
SPOKEN WORD SESSIONS
WALK OF THE DANDELION
I HAVE NO NAME
BSL
SPOKEN WORD SESSIONS
3 - 4 pm
THE NIGHT OWL TAKEOVER FEATURING MAZZY SNAPE, STEVE CONNELLY & ED EDWARDS
BSL
I HAVE NO NAME
2 - 3 pm
MOO
DANDELION MAKING WORKSHOP
1 - 2 pm
I HAVE NO NAME
FRAGMENTS OF US AD
EPICO
MOO
I HAVE NO NAME
5 - 6 pm
WALK OF THE DANDELION
DANDELION MAKING WORKSHOP
4 - 5 pm
I HAVE NO NAME
FRAGMENTS OF US
END
Access Hub Bullring Rotunda Square 4 Access & Info Points Victoria Square 1 1000 Trades Square 3
VICTORIA SQUARE
MONDAY
31st AUGUST ALL DAY
1
NEW STREET STATION STATION CONCOURSE
2
3
1000 TRADES SQUARE
THE IDEAS FACTORY BY HSBC UK FREE FACE PAINTING
12 pm
12 - 1 pm
GARBH AD
12.15 pm 12.30 pm
0121 STAGE YOUNG CREATIVES CARNIVAL TAKEOVER
12.45 pm 1 pm
DANCE FLASHMOB
1 - 2 pm
BSL
1.15 pm 1.30 pm
SPOKEN WORD SESSIONS
1.45 pm 2 pm
2 - 3 pm
2.15 pm
KISMAT WALLA BSL
BSL GOT2SING CHOIR ELEVATEHER
BSL
AD AD
2.30 pm
DANCE FLASHMOB
2.45 pm 3 pm
3 - 4 pm
0121 STAGE YOUNG CREATIVES CARNIVAL TAKEOVER
3.15 pm 3.30 pm
BSL
3.45 pm 4 pm
GARBH TOUCH TOUR
GARBH AD
BSL
SPOKEN WORD SESSIONS
BSL GOT2SING CHOIR
4 - 5 pm
4.15 pm 4.30 pm
ELEVATEHER
BSL
AD
4.45 pm 5 pm
5 - 6 pm
5.15 pm 5.30 pm
0121 STAGE YOUNG CREATIVES CARNIVAL TAKEOVER
5.45 pm
BSL
END
6 pm
MOSTLY JAZZ FUNK & SOUL TAKEOVER WITH HUEY MORGAN DJ SET 4 MIRROR BULL CITY - ROTUNDA SQUARE - Mon - 12pm all day until 6pm Celebrate the final day with a Mostly Jazz, Funk & Soul takeover and headline set from legendary DJ, broadcaster and musician Huey Morgan. Expect an uplifting soundtrack spanning jazz, funk, soul and disco, as Huey and Mostly resident DJ’s bring their unmistakable style to Mirror Bull City. Huey Morgan’s set will be between 1.30 – 3pm. See full day schedule online.
SPOKEN WORD SESSIONS DANCE FLASHMOB
KISMAT WALLA AD
BULLRING 4
ROTUNDA SQUARE
5
CENTRAL STREET
6
LOWER MALL WEST
7
CHAOPHRAYA SQUARE
ST MARTINS SQUARE
GREEN HUB
MIRROR BULL CITY
RELAXED HOUR
I HAVE NO NAME BSL
WALK OF THE DANDELION I HAVE NO NAME
AD EPICO
DANDELION MAKING WORKSHOP
I HAVE NO NAME
MOO
I HAVE NO NAME
CBSO IN THE CITY
EPICO
MOO
I HAVE NO NAME
5 - 6 pm
WALK OF THE DANDELION
DANDELION MAKING WORKSHOP
4 - 5 pm
I HAVE NO NAME
MOSTLY JAZZ, FUNK & SOUL TAKEOVER WITH MOLLY LOU
3 - 4 pm
WALK OF THE DANDELION
2 - 3 pm
HEADLINE SET FROM HUEY MORGAN
1 - 2 pm
CBSO IN THE CITY
MOSTLY JAZZ, FUNK & SOUL TAKEOVER WITH SAM REDMORE
12 - 1 pm
MOO MOSTLY JAZZ, FUNK & SOUL TAKEOVER WITH MATTHEW BECK
8
END
Join the colourful celebrations with free face painting everyday 12pm – 6pm! We would love your feedback Take our Survey here
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