Top Picks
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.
1Pedalling from venue to venue with all of their set, props and costumes on the back of their bikes, the HandleBards are a four-strong troupe of actors who are spending the summer bringing environmentally sustainable Shakespeare to venues across the UK.
2at Exhibition Vision | Exhibition Stand Builders
Plan your next exhibition with Exhibition Vision’s trade show calendar, covering key events, venues and opportunities for UK exhibitors.
Don't miss the next one
One email a week with the local stuff worth knowing — before it's already happened.
Free. Unsubscribe whenever you like.
3
4
5Morning Explorers is an accessibility program for autistic people and those with similar disabilities. Running on the second Saturday of each month, it offers some accessible adaptions to the museum experience, plus an optional Autism Friendly planetarium show. On these mornings we offer early entrance into the museum at 9am, before the museum opens to the public at 10am. This allows you to explore the museum at a quieter time. To reduce the noise level, we will mute the majority of sound making exhibits until 11am. Ear defenders and sensory maps will be available on entrance, and access to quiet spaces may be arranged on request.This event is suitable for autistic adults, autistic children, and any friends, family, and personal assistants who would like to join.Pre-booking is essential for admission.Members - Free entry for Members but you will need to pre-book at ticket. (Planetarium shows £3). We also offer a range of accessible resources, including social stories, sensory maps and picture and symbol cards. See our Accessibility Information for more details.
6Enjoy a self guided visit to the offices and factory of Smith and Pepper. Explore the space in your own time with friendly guides who can share stories and demonstrate the machinery used in jewellery manufacture. Journey through the business' 90 years of operation to see how jewellery was made, learn how the trade functioned, and hear about some of the people who lived and worked in the quarter.You can also explore our gallery 'Story of the Jewellery Quarter' to see historic and contemporary examples of metalwork made only a stone's throw away.After your visit, you can head next door for a coffee, organic wine or craft beer at our brand new cafe bar, Craft & Culture before heading out and seeing what the rest of the Jewellery Quarter has in store.Places are limited, pre-booking recommended.
7Step beyond the gallery walls and into the hidden heart of Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery. Our 'Hidden Spaces Tours' offer a rare opportunity to explore areas of the building that are usually closed to the public — including storerooms, tucked-away corridors, and architectural gems often overlooked.Join our expert guides as you:Wander through off-limits spacesSoak in the incredible Victorian architecture from a new perspectiveHear about recent and upcoming renovation projectsEncounter a few collection superstars along the wayEnjoy quirky tales from Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery's colourful past, from mysterious goings-on to hidden passagewaysThe building itself is one of our most fascinating artefacts, come and experience it in a whole new light.
8Step into an unforgettable evening of passion, music and movement as Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery transforms into a vibrant Buenos Aires-inspired dance hall. The drama and romance of Argentine tango come alive beneath the museum’s grand architecture that immerses you in the mood of the dance.Enjoy a drinks reception with live music from 6pm and exclusive after-hours access to the museum. Surrounded by the rich history of Birmingham, guests can take in the elegance of the Edwardian Tea Rooms and dance under the dome of the iconic Round Room around the much-loved bronze statue Lucifer by Jacob Epstein — a striking and memorable setting for a night of tango.From 7pm to 12am, non-stop tango music curated by a renowned tango DJ, complete with fabulous cortinas, will create a rich and captivating soundscape throughout the evening. Whether you are an experienced dancer or simply curious to watch and soak in the atmosphere, this event welcomes everyone.Why not embrace the style of an earlier era — think Peaky Blinder–inspired elegance or just go all out with your tango bests for this atmospheric evening.Doors open at 6pm for a drinks reception, including a complementary drink with live musicFrom 7pm – 12am we'll be dancing the night away!This promises to be a truly unique cultural experience — a celebration of tango music, dance and community in the heart of Birmingham.
9at mac
The Fastest Bicycle follows a London team of cyclists on a mission to 'go fast' and their journey to the 'World Human Powered Speed Challenge' on Route 305 in Nevada. There they discover an international community of speed freaks like no other. The Fastest Bicycle is a story of perseverance, as the team tackle a missing bike, high speed crashes, serious design flaws and injury. It’s also an exploration of community, as they discover that their competitors can also be their greatest allies. The screening will be followed by a live onstage Q&A with Sky Sports' regular contributor Raees Mahmood and 'The Fastest Bicycle' editor James Watson.
10at Yahra
our hips are central to how we move, stand, sit and carry ourselves through daily life. they support our posture, connect the upper and lower body, and influence the way we experience balance, stability and freedom of movement. when the hips become restricted or disconnected, the effects can be felt throughout the body, from the lower back, groins and legs, to the spine. this workshop offers a practical and mindful approach to improving hip mobility, building stability, and developing a deeper awareness of the pelvis. we will also explore the pelvic floor as an important part of the hip and pelvic system. rather than focusing only on strengthening, you will learn how to sense, soften and engage the pelvic floor with more awareness. this can support better posture, breath, core connection and nervous system balance. we will spend the first hour exploring basic anatomy and gentle self-assessment, followed by a 90-minute guided yoga practice. you will learn how to release tension, improve your range of movement, and create a more balanced relationship between the hips, pelvis and whole body. this workshop is suitable for anyone who would like to move with more ease, feel more connected to their hips and pelvis, and better understand how this important area supports the whole body.
More Top Picks
If this page has done the trick, there is more where that came from.