What's On in Warwickshire and Solihull

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.

The Core Youth Theatre (7-10 years)

Venue: The Core Theatre Solihull

Website: www.thecoretheatresolihull.co.uk

Join the Youth Theatre Group for ages 7-10, where budding young actors can explore their creativity in a fun and engaging environment! Meeting every Thursday evening, this course offers a fantastic opportunity...

Family Sundays: Autumn 2024

Venue: Warwick Arts Centre

Website: www.warwickartscentre.co.uk

Join family artists-in-residence Mixed Rage Collective every Sunday and spend time together as a family getting creative and having fun! This season explore identity and activism through visual arts processes...

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...

The Nutcracker

Venue: Birmingham Hippodrome

Website: www.birminghamhippodrome.com

At the stroke of midnight on Christmas Eve, Clara tiptoes downstairs and is swept away on an unforgettable magical journey…This sumptuous and timeless production boasts daring swordfights, falling snow,...

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...

Elf Cadets Training Midlands 2024

Venue: RAF Museum

Website: www.rafmuseum.org.uk

Get a behind-the-scenes look as the RAF helps Santa prepare for the biggest mission of the year. Suitable for all the family, Elf Cadet Training combines the best of the RAF and a great big dollop of festive...

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...

Rumpelstiltskin

Venue: Hall Green Little Theatre

Website: www.hglt.co.uk

Join Hall Green Little Theatre this Christmas as this classic fairytale leaps off the page and onto the stage! Get ready for mischievous mayhem and silly shenanigans in the whacky world of Rumpelstiltskin!...

What’s Science got to do with it? – Exploring the STEM Concepts of the Sleigh

Venue: Coventry Transport Museum

Website: www.transport-museum.com

Join this interactive family lecture to explore the science behind the Sleigh with WMG STEM expert Phil Jemmett.Please note, this festive lecture is aimed at family audiences, but most suitable for children...

Family Museum Engineers Play: Saturday Play Days

Venue: Coventry Transport Museum

Website: www.transport-museum.com

Family Museum Engineers are play sessions designed for the whole family, providing opportunities to explore an open-ended play environment using unique resources with a STEM based approach that encourage...

Visit Father Christmas at Wightwick Manor

Venue: Wightwick Manor and Gardens

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

Father Christmas is making his annual appearance in his magical sitting room in the Manor. Demand is always high so make sure to book your tickets early. Pre-booking is essential. (Also 14,15, 21 and 22...

Accessible Afternoon - December

Venue: National Space Centre

Website: www.spacecentre.co.uk

An afternoon to support children, young adults and families with additional needs and disabilities, designed for SEND visitors who would benefit from a quieter experience.Tickets include full access to...

Musical Picnic

Venue: Warwick Arts Centre

Website: www.warwickartscentre.co.uk

A wonderful monthly series of original, participatory family performances continue. Go and enjoy making music with an eclectic mix of incredible musicians, musical styles, cultures, instruments and personalities.Free,...

Home Alone in Concert

Venue: Symphony Hall

Address: Broad Street

Website: www.bmusic.co.uk

Home Alone is heart-warming fun for the entire family, now passed down through generations of adults and kids alike as festive tradition, and now, Home Alone In Concertwill be a new way for audiences to...

Beauty and the Beast

Venue: The Crescent Theatre

Website: www.crescent-theatre.co.uk

A magical re-telling of the tale of Beauty and the Beast, first performed in this version by the Royal Shakespeare Company.This timeless tale of the true nature of beauty and the transformational power...

Christmas Jumper Day 2024

Venue: Nationwide

Website: www.savethechildren.org.uk

It’s super-simple to take part on Christmas Jumper Day. All you have to do is sign up, put the date in your calendar then on Thursday 12 December, put on your favourite Christmas jumper, donate £2 to...

The Muppet Christmas Carol

Venue: The Crescent Theatre

Website: www.crescent-theatre.co.uk

Christmas is a season of peace, joy and love - but not for Ebenezer Scrooge. The meanest, greediest man in London, Scrooge hates Christmas. But everything changes one snowy Christmas Eve when Scrooge receives...

Disney’s The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert Live to Film

Venue: Symphony Hall

Website: www.bmusic.co.uk

The Muppets perform the classic Charles Dickens holiday tale, with Kermit the Frog playing Bob Cratchit, the put-upon clerk of stingy Ebenezer Scrooge (Michael Caine). Gonzo, as Dickens, narrates the story...

Glad Tidings

Venue: Black Country Living Museum

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

With costumed characters to meet and street entertainers to watch, experience a heart-warming, magical night that everyone will enjoy. Although Christmas is a magical time for all ages, it is recommended...

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...

Barber Family with Naoibh McNamee

Venue: The Barber Institute Of Fine Arts, University Of Birmingham

Website: www.barber.org.uk

Collaborate with artists every second Saturday of the month and make art as a family at our creative workshops. Perfect for ages 4–10, these activities are designed to investigate ideas in the current...

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...

Frozen Singalong

Venue: MAC Birmingham

Website: www.macbirmingham.co.uk

Warm up those vocal chords for this sing-along screening of the Disney hit Frozen! Join Anna as she sets off on an epic journey to find her sister Elsa, whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle...

The Core Christmas Market

Venue: The Core Theatre Solihull

Website: www.thecoretheatresolihull.co.uk

Do your festive shopping at The Core’s Christmas Market, with handmade and artisan goods from small businesses & local artists. Free entry - drop in any time on Saturday 14 December between 10am and...

The Santa Experience

Venue: Midlands Air Ambulance Charity

Website: www.midlandsairambulance.com

Join Midlands Air Ambulance Charity for a special visit from Santa Claus. It's a perfect opportunity for children to meet the jolliest man of the season and enjoy a day filled with festive fun. Lapland...

'The Snowman': Film with Live Orchestra

Venue: Birmingham Town Hall

Address: Victoria Square

Website: www.bmusic.co.uk

Make it a Christmas to remember, with a special screening of family-favourite 'The Snowman' accompanied by a live orchestra.Presented by Carrot Productions - the world's leading performers of 'The Snowman'...

Christmas Carol Singalong

Venue: Symphony Hall

Website: www.bmusic.co.uk

Christmas Carol Singalong is coming to town! Join Jonathan Cohen and Louise Dearman for some family festive fun with the very best Christmas songs and seasonal classics Christmas has to offer including...

Polar Express Festive Screening

Venue: National Space Centre

Website: www.spacecentre.co.uk

Get up, get on, and get ready for the ride of your life! It's Christmas Eve, and you're about to roller-coaster up and down mountains, slip-slide over ice fields, teeter across mile-high bridges and be...

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...

Winter Solstice Stories with Kate's Story Tree

Venue: Compton Verney

Website: www.comptonverney.org.uk

Celebrate the shortest days of the year with Kate’s Storytree with solstice-themed stories and crafts. A very special guest will also be stopping by to say hello. Pre-book to avoid disappointment, places...

Moana Singalong

Venue: MAC Birmingham

Website: www.macbirmingham.co.uk

Sing along with Moana, the hit feature film about an adventurous teenager who sails out on a daring mission to save her people. This singalong version features on-screen lyrics to much loved tunes like...

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...

Elf

Venue: MAC Birmingham

Website: www.macbirmingham.co.uk

Will Ferrell stars as Buddy, who as a baby crawls into Santa's toy bag and is whisked off to the North Pole, where he is raised as an elf. A misfit who grows to be three times the size of his family, Buddy...

Frozen

Venue: The Crescent Theatre

Website: www.crescent-theatre.co.uk

Fearless optimist Anna teams up with rugged mountain man Kristoff and his loyal reindeer Sven and sets off on an epic journey to find her sister Elsa, whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle...

Small Space Mrs Santa Special

Venue: National Space Centre

Website: www.spacecentre.co.uk

Join this very special pre-Christmas Small Space Day, including a visit from Mrs Claus all the way from the North Pole! National Space Centre friends at NORAD are getting ready to track Santa as he heads...

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...