100 Days of Creativity in Birmingham: Festivals, exhibitions workshops & more

An extensive programme of artistic events and activities has been announced for Birmingham this summer.

The schedule includes music, dance, theatre and film which will take place from Sunday, May 19 to Bank Holiday Monday, August 26. The programme will begin with the final day of Flatpack Film Festival and finish with the final day of Birmingham Weekender.

The programme has been put together by with the help of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund by City Curator Alex Nicholson-Evans who has joined forces with West Midlands Growth Company, Colmore BID, Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, Culture Central, Birmingham City Council, Central BID, Jewellery Quarter BID and Southside District BID to bring this festival to Birmingham.

Nine highlights taking place during the 100 Days of Creativity in Birmingham

Birmingham Design Festival (6 to 8 June), the biennial celebration of design held across Birmingham city centre 

Hamilton (25 June – 31 August), the multi award-winning cultural phenomenon coming to Birmingham Hippodrome for a ten-week season. 

B-SIDE Hip-Hop Festival (6 – 9 June) Birmingham Hippodrome’s popular free event is also included in the programme, which brings together extraordinary Hip-Hop artists and breathtaking acts from breakin’, graffiti, DJ’ing and MC’ing.

Dion Kitson (10 May to 8 September) Ikon presents Rue Britannia the first major solo exhibition by the British artist and an ambitious off-site commission in partnership with English Heritage. 

Victorian Radicals (until 31 October) Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery’s exhibition presents vibrant paintings and exquisite drawings alongside jewellery, glass, textiles, and metalwork which explore the Pre-Raphaelites radical vision for art and society.

Apache Indian (3 August) The Birmingham born artist will perform a very special show at Midlands Arts Centre to celebrate his 30-year career, bringing his unique fusion of urban Asian and reggae to his hometown audience.

In:Site by Craftspace (21 to 24 May) Cathedral Square hosts an exhibition showcasing the work of art, craft and design graduates from across the UK, bringing the work of emerging artists to new audiences. 

What else is happening during the 100 Days of Creativity in Birmingham in summer 2024?

Alongside the major events happening at some of Birmingham’s biggest venues, there is also a host of smaller activities and experiences taking place throughout the city. Activities and workshops where people can get involved and learn new skills include pottery making, creative writing, photography, and pasta making.  

Alex said: “100 Days of Creativity will be a celebration of the breadth of ways you can express and experience creativity in the city this summer. We’ll be marking important cultural milestones in Birmingham, such as the return of Birmingham Weekender, 60 years of Ikon, and 40 years of Birmingham Jazz Festival. And there is so much more, from creative workshops and major concerts to theatre productions and the return of many well-loved festivals.  

“We’re very lucky to have so many fantastic creative events taking place in the city this summer; some that people will already have heard of, but my hope is that this initiative will introduce the residents of Birmingham and visitors to the city to events and activities that might not have been on their radars yet, too.”

Neil Rami, Chief Executive of the West Midlands Growth Company, which operates the region’s tourism programme Visit Birmingham, said: “Throughout the spring and summer, 100 Days of Creativity will illustrate to our many visitors that Birmingham is a fantastic destination to enjoy world-class activities, events, and experiences.

“The region’s cultural offer continues to be one of our great success stories. We encourage residents and visitors to log onto our Visit Birmingham website to explore the many fantastic events taking place from 19 May as we celebrate the breadth of talent and creativity of the people who live and work here.”

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