A rainy local street scene with umbrellas, warm lights, and cosy indoor plans

Top Picks

Rainy Day Picks This Weekend

11–12 July Near Withington

Not every listing gets a golden ticket

We check the usual frankly silly number of local websites, then look for events that feel rainy-day friendly: cinemas, theatres, talks, workshops, galleries, concerts, cosy venues, and anything less likely to involve standing in a muddy field making brave weather noises.

Happening Saturday 11 July to Sunday 12 July.
Picked for Withington, not somewhere halfway across the county.
Only Local Gems and Curated venues make the cut, because standards are still a thing.
Listings with proper descriptions get bumped up the list. Three words and a shrug will not do.

Our 10 picks near Withington

Beginners Spanish Class1

Beginners Spanish Class

at Kingsley Holt Centre

� Beginners 1 – Absolute Beginners! � Kick-start your Spanish with this Intensive Course designed to get you speaking fast! �� Join me face-to-face at Kingsley Holt Centre (ST10 2BQ) for a fun, friendly and super-practical course over two consecutive Saturdays: � 4th & 11th July � 3:00pm to 6:30pm � £129pp What’s included: � 2 x intensive lessons � Physical worksheets � Word cards � Access to exclusive online interactive material for a year Contact Laura – or Spaces are limited! grab your spot today and start your Spanish adventure with Spanish for Fun in the Staffordshire Moorlands!

6.8 milesSat 11 Jul£129
Local gemSee the details→
Workshops & Classes

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Broadway Sunday3

Broadway Sunday

at Tilly's Cottages

Spend the afternoon creating a beautiful wooden sculpture - Country Cottage. You will sand, drill, felt, paint and glue during this relaxed, fun session. You can choose your own paint colours from a wide selection that will be available. No prior crafting experience is needed and all workshop materials are provided - all you need to bring is an apron. With wood being a natural product - the wood for the base will differ. Price shown is per person. Please note you need to be over the age of 18 years to book a place on this course. We will start promptly at 2pm and tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided: Broadway Youth & Community Centre, Lime Tree Avenue, Broadway, WR12 7BD

16.5 milesSun 12 Jul
Local gemSee the details→
Community
Long Craft Pottery Session 1014

Long Craft Pottery Session 101

at The Potters Barn

The course begins with an introduction to Craft – Hand Made Pottery in the way of an ice breaker to get your hands dirty. Your session continues with more hands on experience using one of the most common methods of making, the Potters Wheel. The workshop will progress according to your individual development and by the end of the period you should have several pieces of hand made ware to be proud of. Additional information on techniques, decorating, finishing, firing, glazing etc will be provided if and when it is of interest or relevant to the student.

21 milesSat 11 Jul£95
Local gemSee the details→
Arts & Culture
The Robin5

The Robin

at Robin R&B 2

Soul’d Out UK Astonishingly energetic, entertaining and 100% LIVE, Soul’d Out UK are a 9-12 piece band featuring powerful male and female vocalists, funky rhythm section and a stonking full sax, trumpet and trombone horn section. Up to 2 hours of partying with soul and motown classics! Unlike other bands, we don’t use backing tracks, click tracks or synthesised horn sections to fill in the gaps. We are 100% LIVE with REAL instruments. We’ll guarantee a dance floor full of your guests, totally absorbed in the party atmosphere. Yeah, yeah! We don’t just like good music, we love it! Our repertoire delivers the best Soul, Northern Soul & Tamla Motown classics, taking our inspiration from the Motown and Stax labels, including artists such as Sam & Dave, Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Martha Reeves, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, The Four Tops and Al Wilson. Tickets for this show are non-refundable. In the event of a cancellation, ticket holders will be contacted. Share:

24.6 milesSat 11 Jul19:00
Local gemSee the details→
Live Music
Fused Glass Workshop6Free! (worth double-checking)

Fused Glass Workshop

at Stoke-on-Trent City Centre

11am to 1pm Admission: £5 In these workshops by Paula Andrews, there will be opportunities to create Fused Glass artworks inspired by Nature, Colour and the Seasons. There are lots of projects to choose from including freestanding panels as well as dishes and tea lights. Each project is individually priced and payable on the day. Prices range from £10 to £40. Workshops are suitable for all abilities.

11.9 milesSat 11 Jul12:00
Local gemSee the details→
Workshops & Classes
Japan Fest 20267

Japan Fest 2026

at Visit Derby

Get ready to dive into a whirlwind of Japanese culture and fun at Japan Fest Derby, where Derby’s QUAD turns into a vibrant celebration of all things Japan. Think bustling stall holders serving up delicious food, quirky crafts and unique finds alongside hands-on cultural activities that make the day feel like a mini adventure through the streets of Tokyo and Kyoto.

20 milesSat 11 Jul£20
Local gemSee the details→
Community
Faces and Places – Exhibition8

Faces and Places – Exhibition

at Artcore

A photographic journey through Derby and Osnabrück, Faces and Places captures the people, streets, cafés, public spaces, and fleeting moments that shape the everyday life of the two twinned cities. Through portraits and observations of urban life, the exhibition reflects on familiarity, cultural connection, and the subtle relationships between people and place.

20.1 milesSat 11 Jul
Local gemSee the details→
Arts & Culture
St Giles Church Summer Fayre from 10.00am / 2.00pm All our welcome free entry9Free! (worth double-checking)

St Giles Church Summer Fayre from 10.00am / 2.00pm All our welcome free entry

at St Giles Church

Come along to our summer fayre at St Giles Church, where you can browse and buy lovely items from our tables of crafts, bric-a-brac, jewellery, flower displays, and more. Relax with a delicious refreshment, and enjoy the wonderful BBQ and Caribbean food outside. Everyone is welcome, entry is free, and as with previous fayres, it promises to be a warm and welcoming day at our church. 10.00 am/2.00 pm.

23.3 milesSat 11 Jul11:00
Local gemSee the details→
Markets & Fairs
community10

Fusion @4

at St Chad's Church

Church but not as you know it. Every 1st or 2nd Saturday of the month. A service for all the family those who have never been in a church to regular members. It has crafts, games, worship, prayer and food at the end. A perfect service for those who find church daunting but have questions about God and who want to meet other people.

24.1 milesSat 11 Jul17:00
Local gemSee the details→
Community

More Top Picks

Keep the good ideas rolling

If this page has done the trick, there is more where that came from.

Round-upFamilies This WeekendTen family-friendly picks with proper details, decent venues, and no mystery listings that leave you guessing.Round-upFree Things This WeekendA smarter list of local free picks for the weekend, chosen for quality, clarity, and the sort of detail that saves a wasted journey.All PicksBack to Top PicksSee all our curated round-ups in one place.