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

Top Picks

Rainy Day Picks This Weekend

11–12 July Near Bentley, Upper

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 Bentley, Upper, 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 Bentley, Upper

HandleBards1

HandleBards

at The Lenches Amphitheatre

Pedalling 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.

9.3 milesSun 12 Jul
Local gemSee the details
Community

Don't miss the next one

Local events near you, in your inbox

One email a week with the local stuff worth knowing — before it's already happened.

Sign me up

Free. Unsubscribe whenever you like.

Midlands Hosptials' Choir Midsummer Medley6

Midlands Hosptials' Choir Midsummer Medley

at St Francis of Assisi

Midlands Hosptials' Choir Midsummer Medley Occurring for 2 hours Venue St Francis of Assisi Address Sycamore Road Bournville Birmingham, B30 2AA, United Kingdom With guest artist Grace Farrell, Soprano Adults - £15, 12-16 years - £5, 11 and under - free. Can be bought in advance or on the door. Community event Concert

9.9 milesSat 11 Jul16:00£15,
CuratedSee the details
Live Music
community7

Morning Explorers

at Sarehole Mill

Morning 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.

11.9 milesSat 11 Jul10:00£3
Local gemSee the details
Community
festivals-events8

JQ Festival: Explore Smith & Pepper

at Sarehole Mill

Enjoy 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.

11.9 milesSat 11 Jul11:30
Local gemSee the details
Festivals & Events
community9

Hidden Spaces Roof and Basement Tours

at Sarehole Mill

Step 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.

11.9 milesSat 11 Jul12:00
Local gemSee the details
Community
A Tango Night at the Museum10

A Tango Night at the Museum

at Sarehole Mill

Step 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.

11.9 milesSat 11 Jul19:00
Local gemSee the details
History & Heritage

More Top Picks

Keep the good ideas rolling

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