What's On in Birmingham & Black Country

Swimming lessons with Everyone Active

Venue: Your local leisure centre

Address: Warwickshire

Website: https://www.everyoneactive.com/courses-lessons/swimming-lessons/

Award-winning swimming lessons at your local Everyone Active leisure centre, for children aged from just 4 months old. Available at Pingles Leisure Centre (Nuneaton) and Bedworth Leisure Centre.

Microworld Coventry

Venue: Herbert Art Gallery and Museum

Website: www.theherbert.org/whats-on/1822/microworld-coventry

Microworld is designed for all ages. The interactive artworks provide the audience with a role and a purpose. It includes: playing, exploring, experimenting, problem-solving, collaborating, creating, learning...

Blue Play Blocks

Venue: Compton Verney

Website: www.comptonverney.org.uk

Build, stack, channel and connect these larger-than-life play blocks. Designed to inspire children to build their own inventions, environments and activities for hours of fun.

Dick Whittington

Venue: Belgrade Theatre

Website: www.belgrade.co.uk

The legendary Belgrade panto will be jam-packed with festive fun, magical mayhem and loads of Christmas sparkle.Get ready to cheer for Dick and his trusty cat, boo and hiss at the dreaded King Rat and...

Little Angel Theatre: Finding Santa

Venue: MAC Birmingham

Website: www.macbirmingham.co.uk

How do letters for Santa Claus get to the North Pole? And what if something goes wrong along the way?The highly-acclaimed Little Angel Theatre presents a funny and heart-warming Christmas show that invites...

Visit Santa: Vintage Sleigh Ride Experience

Venue: Coventry Transport Museum

Website: www.transport-museum.com

Wander through a magical winter wonderland and snowy scenes before taking a ride on Coventry famous and enchanting vintage sleigh, pulled by two trusty reindeer. Write your Christmas wish list, meet Santa...

Drayton Manor's Christmas Wonderland

Venue: Drayton Manor Resort

Website: www.draytonmanor.co.uk

Family members of all ages are invited to enjoy the festive thrills of Drayton’s Christmas Wonderland, with a whole host of jolly activities including the new Festive Light Train, Hot Chocolate Factory...

Santa Hunts

Venue: Black Country Living Museum

Website: www.bclm.com/christmas-at-bclm

Embark on an interactive adventure for all the family as you work together to help Santa’s elves to find the magic keys for Santa’s new Black Country grotto. Book tickets for Santa Hunts on 0121 520...

Cannon Hill Junior Parkrun

Venue: Cannon Hill Park

Website: www.parkrun.org.uk/cannonhill-juniors

A free, fun, and friendly weekly 2k event for juniors (4 to 14 year olds). Free to join but please register before you first go along. The aim is to have fun. Go along and join in whatever your pace.

Dippy in Coventry

Venue: Herbert Art Gallery and Museum

Website: www.theherbert.org

Discover fun facts about Dippy, the Nation’s favourite dinosaur from the Natural History Museum, along with close encounters with fossils from the collection. The Learning Team will share a short, interactive...

Kitty Cafe Birmingham

Venue: Unit 12 Grand Central, Stephenson Place

Website: www.kittycafe.co.uk

Be surrounded by adorable friendly felines as you tuck into some yummy cake and watch as these adorable cats explore the cafe. This is a family friendly venue with kids zone activities to download, print...

Play and Make Zone

Venue: Coventry Transport Museum

Website: www.transport-museum.com

Take a break from exploring the largest collection of British vehicles and relax in the Play and Make Zone. Located in the Future Technology Gallery, discover the wonderful world of Science, Technology,...

Stratford-upon-Avon Butterfly Farm at Christmas

Venue: Stratford Butterfly Farm

Address: Swan’s Nest Lane, Stratford-upon-Avon

Website: www.butterflyfarm.co.uk

Walk among vibrant butterflies in lush, heated gardens, creating a magical, festive atmosphere. It's perfect for families and nature lovers seeking a warm and tranquil experience during the holiday period,...

The MAD Museum

Venue: The MAD Museum

Website: www.themadmuseum.co.uk

This is a place for everyone, be it students seeking inspiration, families looking for a unique day out, or individuals with a profound appreciation for the fusion of art and science. The MAD Museum promises...

The Smeds and The Smoos Christmas 2024

Venue: Warwick Arts Centre

Website: www.warwickartscentre.co.uk

Soar into space for your festive family treat with this exciting adaptation of the award-winning book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler – as seen in the popular 2022 BBC TV Christmas animation. Music,...

The Wizard of Oz

Venue: The Old Rep Theatre

Website: www.oldrep.co.uk

This dazzling production promises to be a feast for the senses and a treat for all the family. The Wizard of Oz will be an unforgettable panto extravaganza making it an unmissable experience this festive...

Luminate 2024

Venue: Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Website: www.birminghambotanicalgardens.org.uk

As darkness descends, join this enchanting journey through the historic grounds and immerse yourself in the almost mile long trail, with stunning lighting elements and fabulous light play, all set to...

See Wightwick Manor decorated for a Traditional Christmas

Venue: Wightwick Manor and Gardens

Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/birmingham-west-midlands

With a dash of colour, a sprinkle of presents and a large helping of greenery, Wightwick's recipe for a traditional Christmas returns. Families can look out for knitted snowmen hidden around the rooms....

Beauty and the Beast

Venue: Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

Website: www.grandtheatre.co.uk

The show will star Gladiators’ Giant in the role of Gladius, who will tower over the residents of Pantoland, enchanting the rose, turning the prince into a beast and causing all sorts of magical mayhem...

Join Snowy's Conservation Crew

Venue: National SEA LIFE Centre Birmingham

Website: www.visitsealife.com/birmingham

Join Snowy and meet some of the incredible arctic animals as well as the amazing SEA LIFE regulars and learn all about them and how you could help to keep them safe.​Take on the challenges, find the...

Unwrapping Christmas

Venue: Black Country Living Museum

Website: www.bclm.com/christmas-at-bclm

Take friends and family along to ‘av a warm by the hearth; the fires are lit, the stockings are hung and the period shops and houses are brimming with Christmas cheer! Chat with historic characters,...

Visit Santa In His Grotto

Venue: National SEA LIFE Centre Birmingham

Website: www.visitsealife.com/birmingham

Sea explorers will be able to marvel at over 2,000 amazing creatures including jaw-some sharks, cheeky gentoo penguins and the UK’s first and only sea otters, Ozzy and Ola before entering the glittering...

Rudolph Run

Venue: Various locations

Website: www.stgileshospice.com

Join #TeamStGiles and take part in the Rudolph Run to raise funds for St Giles Hospice! Plan a date, pick your location and choose a distance which suits your school or group. By signing up you’ll receive...

Father Christmas

Venue: Belgrade Theatre

Website: www.belgrade.co.uk

Join Santa as he awakes from a dream of sun, sea and sand only to find it is the busiest day of the year: Christmas Eve.This magical stage adaptation based on Raymond Briggs’ much-loved book, Father...

The Snowflake

Venue: The Door

Website: www.birmingham-rep.co.uk

Based on the timeless Christmas story by Benji Davies, The Snowflake tells the tale of a snowflake, a little girl and her Pappie – all longing for their own special place in the world.Unwrap the magic...

The Jingleclaw

Venue: Birmingham Hippodrome

Website: www.birminghamhippodrome.com

In a cosy village nestled in the snowy mountains, the Shnootnoot Winter Festival is fast approaching. Astrid is busy practising to play with her school band. Everyone wants her to keep in time, but Astrid...

Christmas Present Trail

Venue: Compton Verney

Website: www.comptonverney.org.uk

Join this magical Christmas Present Trail through the beautiful galleries and grounds. Follow the illuminating lights and festive decorations to find all of Santa’s lost presents and figure out the hidden...

Beauty and The Beast

Venue: Stratford Playhouse

Website: www.stratfordplay.co.uk

Join Stratford Playhouse this Christmas for the spellbinding story of Belle, the spirited and headstrong village girl who enters an enchanted castle and melts the heart of the monstrous Beast who dwells...

Moana 2

Venue: MAC Birmingham

Website: www.macbirmingham.co.uk

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ epic animated musical Moana 2 takes audiences on an expansive new voyage with Moana, Maui and a brand-new crew of unlikely seafarers. Relaxed sessions available on 23,...

Paddington In Peru

Venue: MAC Birmingham

Website: www.macbirmingham.co.uk

Paddington In Peru brings Paddington back home to the Peruvian jungle to visit his beloved Aunt Lucy, now a resident at the Home for Retired Bears.

Santa’s Christmas Cracker

Venue: The Core Theatre Solihull

Website: www.thecoretheatresolihull.co.uk

The show where every child receives a present from Santa! Father Christmas is busy making toys, Dotty the Elf is decorating the Christmas tree and Dasher the Reindeer is getting presents onto his sleigh...

Peter Pan

Venue: Birmingham Hippodrome

Website: www.birminghamhippodrome.com

Alison joins Hippodrome panto star and award-winning comic Matt Slack, who returns for an eleventh season as Smee. With amazing special effects, stunning sets and beautiful costumes, Peter Pan will take...

Spot Santa

Venue: Compton Verney

Website: www.comptonverney.org.uk

Visit Compton Verney on Christmas Eve and see if you can spot Santa! See if you can find him in the grounds or hiding in the galleries. Free with a valid day ticket or membership. 10am-4.30pm.

The Tiger Who Came to Tea

Venue: B:MusicTown Hall and Symphony Hall

Website: www.bmusic.co.uk

Join the tea-guzzling tiger in this delightful family show; packed with oodles of magic, sing-a-long songs and clumsy chaos. Don’t miss this stunning stage adaptation of the classic tale of teatime mayhem......

Playful Paper Winter Crafts

Venue: Herbert Art Gallery and Museum

Website: www.theherbert.org/whats-on

Create soft snowy paper snowflakes, colourful paper polar bear sculptures, or explore other wintry possibilities. You'll use various paper types and both classic and modern folding techniques. Bring your...

The Tiger Who Came to Tea

Venue: Birmingham Town Hall

Address: Victoria Square

Website: www.bmusic.co.uk

The doorbell rings just as Sophie and her mummy are sitting down to tea. Who could it possibly be? What they certainly don’t expect to see at the door is a big, stripy tiger! Join the tea-guzzling tiger...

Tinker, Make, Play: Winter

Venue: Coventry Transport Museum

Website: www.transport-museum.com

Escape the cold and join this winter themed Tinker, Make, Play workshop space to choose from a variety of activities. Discover your inner engineer when taking broken everyday objects apart using tools...

Wicked

Venue: MAC Birmingham

Website: www.macbirmingham.co.uk

Wicked, the untold story of the witches of Oz, stars Emmy, Grammy and Tony winning powerhouse Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, a young woman misunderstood because of her unusual green skin who has yet to discover...

Artist Play Days

Venue: Compton Verney

Website: www.comptonverney.org.uk

Join Compton Verney in the learning studio as they use torches, neon lights, glow in the dark materials and more to create a glowing and magical space. Suitable for all ages.

The Snowman

Venue: Birmingham Rep

Website: www.birmingham-rep.co.uk

Based on Raymond Brigg’s much-loved book and featuring Howard Blake’s classic song Walking In The Air, this enchanting live show has thrilled audiences throughout the world since first appearing on...

TSG: Jack and the Beanstalk

Venue: Warwick Arts Centre

Website: www.warwickartscentre.co.uk

Audiences can expect plenty of catchy songs, high-energy dance routines, and side-splitting humour that will keep the whole family entertained. Jack and The Beanstalk is a classic pantomime brought to...

Birmingham Youth Theatre presents Snow White

Venue: The Crescent Theatre

Website: www.crescent-theatre.co.uk

Filled with laughter, music, audience participation and unlikely heroes, this pantomime is filled with humour and memorable moments for all the family.

CV Sounds: Eternal Taal With Lantern Parade

Venue: Compton Verney

Website: www.comptonverney.org.uk

Enjoy a DJ Bhangra dance party hosted by Gatis Gardener’s lantern parade and Eternal Taal, an all female Bhangra company, explore the exhibition, give your story to the Blue Ladies, make a shaker and...

To Boldly Game

Venue: National Space Centre

Website: www.spacecentre.co.uk

The National Space Centre invites you to join the team for a tabletop gaming away mission. A weekend of tabletop games, RPGs and immersive STEM and space themed challenges and fun for fans and families...

Home-Ed | Workshop Series 2 - Programming in Modern Vehicles

Venue: Coventry Transport Museum

Website: www.transport-museum.com

Across the 6 sessions participants will develop programming skills with the use of Microbits and Crumble kits, creating functioning hardware to improve safety in cars and making self-driving cars. Wednesdays...

Doze Under Dippy

Venue: Herbert Art Gallery and Museum

Website: www.theherbert.org/whats-on

Stay overnight in the museum, snoozing under the feet of a 26-foot Diplodocus! Join this night of exploration and fun-filled activities designed for children aged 6–11 and their grown-ups. This will...