As another year is coming to an end in our amazing city, we look ahead to what 2024 has in store for Birmingham. Time to save the date(s) people!
Theatre
There is always a plethora of shows to go to in Birmingham and 2024 will not disappoint. Some major West End musical productions are headed for our city, like Wicked, Hamilton, Sister Act and The Book of Mormon. For more classical fare, you can catch A Midsummer’s Night Dream and Romeo & Juliet at the RSC or see Minority Report at the Rep. And don’t forget to check the listings for our very own RBC, which include original plays like William Blake’s Songs of Innocence and of Experience devised by Stephen Simms, Mosquitos by Lucy Kirkwood and Urinetown by Greg Kotis.
Music
Some big names are heading to the Utilita Arena in 2024, including Nicki Minaj and Justin Bieber, as well as legendary bands like Slipknot, Judas Priest and Pet Shop Boys. You can also catch Zara Larsson in the more intimate space of the O2 Academy. Check the Hare and Hounds in Kings Heath too for an eclectic mix of gigs and our very own RBC for classical and jazz concerts, including Alternative Orchestra and RBC Big Band. Finally, don’t forget to visit the B:Music website for a variety of classical, jazz and popular music performances. From Viennese New Year to Contemporary Choir in Concert, Free Jazz Fridays and Spirit of Motown and Glam Rock shows, there is literally something for everyone!
Exhibitions
The Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery is due to reopen gradually in 2024, starting with Victorian Radicals, an exhibition of Pre-Raphaelite art in February. Also, don’t miss the opportunity to see Artemisia Gentileschi’s Self Portrait as Saint Catherine of Alexandria (about 1615-17) at the Ikon Gallery in May, part of the National Treasures exhibition celebrating the bicentenary of the National Gallery. Finally, check out the Titanic Exhibition at the NEC this summer.
Festivals
Birmingham has a year-long calendar of festivals, and most of the firm favourites are due to return for 2024. Lunar New Year celebrations are scheduled in February, Insomnia the Gaming Festival, MegaCon and Crufts are taking place in March, which also sees the return of St Patrick’s Day Parade. Flatpack and Pride return in May and Birmingham Design Festival in June. Launching in April is the Heath Bookshop Literature & Music Festival in Kings Heath. Returning to Moseley Park & Pool are the Mostly Jazz festival in July and Moseley Folk festival in September.
Sport
Don’t miss the UK Athletics Indoor Championships in February and Yonex All England Open Badminton in March. Also, Edgbaston is hosting the Vitality Blast Finals Day in September. Finally, don’t forget that Euro 2024 is taking place this summer, and if you’d rather watch from a bar or pub, here are some good options: Hennesey’s and The Old Crown in Digbeth, The Railway , The Trocadero, The Bierkeller, The Distillery and Box in the city centre, and The JQ Bar & Grill and The Clifden in the Jewellery Quarter.
Shops, restaurants, and bars
Pizza Punks, the unlimited-topping sourdough pizza restaurant, is hoping to expand further across the UK in 2024 - including in Birmingham. Also, a new interactive football bar, Toca Social, is moving into part of the Bullring's former Debenhams site. Don’t forget to visit the new bowling complex Lane7 and the Shokupan by GupShup restaurant at Grand Central, and the new M&S, Pull & Bear, Footasylum shops at Bullring.
Holidays
Easyjet have announced 15 new routes from Birmingham International in 2024.