Westlife, spectacular dance, brilliant comedy, new exhibitions and plenty of family fun
Birmingham is heading into another packed weekend, with everything from arena-filling pop anthems and spectacular contemporary dance to cutting-edge cinema, free exhibitions and some excellent opportunities to explore the city.
Whether you’re planning a big Friday night, a Saturday adventure or a more relaxed Sunday, there’s plenty happening across Birmingham from Friday 16th to Sunday 18th October.
Here’s The Birmingham Edit’s pick of the weekend.
Westlife bring their anniversary celebrations to Birmingham
One of the biggest pop events of the weekend sees Westlife take over Utilita Arena Birmingham for three consecutive nights.
The Irish favourites arrive with their Westlife 25: The Anniversary World Tour, celebrating a quarter-century of hits, unforgettable ballads and enormous singalong moments.
Expect favourites including Flying Without Wings, Uptown Girl and You Raise Me Up, alongside newer material.
When: Friday 16, Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October, 7pm. Doors open at 6pm.
Where: Utilita Arena Birmingham.
Westlife tickets and information.
Matthew Bourne’s The Car Man reaches its finale
If you’re looking for something dramatic, Birmingham Hippodrome is the place to be.
Matthew Bourne’s award-winning The Car Man concludes its Birmingham run on Saturday.
Inspired by Bizet’s Carmen, this extraordinary dance production transports audiences to a 1950s American garage-diner, where passion, betrayal and revenge collide.
With spectacular choreography, striking design and a powerful soundtrack, this promises to be one of the weekend’s theatrical highlights.
When: Friday 16 October, 7.30pm; Saturday 17 October, 2.30pm and 7.30pm.
Tickets: From £26, with prices varying by performance.
Book The Car Man at Birmingham Hippodrome.
A night of classic British soul at Symphony Hall
Friday evening brings together two distinctive British musical acts.
Hue and Cry and Roachford share the stage at Symphony Hall, promising a night filled with soulful vocals, memorable melodies and some genuine classics.
From Hue and Cry’s Labour of Love to Roachford’s Cuddly Toy, this is a particularly appealing double bill for anyone who loves sophisticated pop and soul.
When: Friday 16 October, 7.30pm.
Tickets: £40–£115.
Hue and Cry + Roachford tickets.
Stewart Lee brings the laughs on Sunday
Sunday evening sees comedian Stewart Lee arrive at Birmingham Hippodrome with his latest show, Stewart Lee vs The Man-Wulf.
Expect sharp observations, wonderfully unconventional comedy and a particularly unusual confrontation with a fictional werewolf comedian.
It’s clever, provocative and definitely not conventional stand-up.
When: Sunday 18 October, 7.30pm.
Tickets: £34.50. Strictly ages 14 and over.
Experience the BFI London Film Festival in Birmingham
You don’t need to travel to London to experience some of the world’s most exciting new cinema.
Midlands Arts Centre, in Cannon Hill Park, continues its programme of screenings from the 70th BFI London Film Festival.
Friday features Fatherland, Saturday brings Making Marie Antoinette and Minotaur, while Sunday’s programme includes Fjord and Club Kid.
It’s an opportunity to discover films that might otherwise pass under the radar.
Explore the BFI London Film Festival at MAC.
Discover Birmingham’s stories through art
For something completely free, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery has two particularly interesting exhibitions.
Newly opened Handsworth Stories explores the history and cultural richness of one of Britain’s most significant multicultural communities.
Featuring John Akomfrah’s acclaimed documentary Handsworth Songs alongside photographs from the 1979 Handsworth Self-Portrait project, it’s a fascinating exploration of identity, community and social history.
Meanwhile, Birmingham comedian Joe Lycett’s exhibition EVERY THING MUST GO continues, bringing his distinctive humour and artistic imagination into the gallery.
Both exhibitions offer free admission.
Opening times: Friday to Sunday, 10am–5pm.
Joe Lycett: EVERY THING MUST GO.
Explore Ikon Gallery and Brindleyplace
Another excellent free option is Balraj Khanna: Lines of Flight at Ikon Gallery.
Featuring more than 40 paintings spanning six decades, the exhibition explores migration, identity, memory and the natural world.
Afterwards, enjoy a wander around Brindleyplace, explore Ikon’s specialist art bookshop or stop for coffee and something delicious at Medicine Bakery.
When: Friday to Sunday, 11am–5pm.
Admission: Free.
Balraj Khanna: Lines of Flight.
Family fun at Thinktank
For families, Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum remains one of the city’s best all-weather attractions.
With more than 200 interactive displays, fascinating science exhibits and the popular MiniBrum play area, there’s plenty to keep younger visitors entertained.
When: Friday to Sunday, 10am–5pm.
Tickets: Adults £18.95, children aged 3–15 £9.95, with family tickets available from £45.95. Planetarium shows cost extra.
Thinktank tickets and visitor information.
Enjoy Birmingham’s famous markets
Sometimes the best weekend plans involve nothing more complicated than exploring the city.
Birmingham’s historic Bull Ring Markets are perfect for browsing fresh produce, fabrics, fashion, household bargains and specialist ingredients.
The Open Market trades on Friday from 9am–5pm and Saturday from 9am–5.30pm, while the Rag Market offers hundreds of stalls selling everything from haberdashery to gifts.
Combine a visit with lunch in the city centre for a relaxed Saturday outing.
Bull Ring Open Market information.
Make the most of Birmingham this weekend
From Westlife’s arena spectacular to intimate galleries, brilliant theatre and family adventures, Birmingham has something for practically every mood this weekend.
Whatever your plans, make time to explore somewhere new, support a local venue and enjoy everything this remarkable city has to offer.
Keep checking The Birmingham Edit for more entertainment, lifestyle, food and what’s-on inspiration across Birmingham and the West Midlands.
