Top 10 things to see and do at Birmingham 2022
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Whether it's a fun family day out or an exciting exhibition, something is going on for everyone, and they're nearly all free!
1. People, Place and Sport
4 July – 31 August
FREE
Celebrating local communities in the West Midlands, Jaskirt Boora’s People, Place, and Sport explores the role of gender and ethnicity in sport through a series of portraits and recorded conversations. Pop down to Sandwell Country Park to see it first-hand.
Check it out >
2. Anthem Anthem Revolution
21 - 24 and 26 July
FREE
All that stands between you and a new anthem is a player with a table tennis bat. You’re invited to battle an increasingly defensive table tennis robot, hell-bent on protecting the old hymn. Step up to the plate and reveal a fresh word from the updated anthem with each successful return.
3. Come Bowl With Me
23-27 July
FREE
Celebrate the popular sport of Lawn Bowls with Come Bowl With Me. Join Lorna Bowles, Dwaine Hardball and Roger Rinkwell in various places across Leamington Spa and Coventry as they coach you through the gentle joys and fierce competition of this much-loved game.
4. Generations
Until 30 September
FREE
Generations is a large-scale photographic portrait project available to see at various outdoor locations across Birmingham and Solihull. Captured by UK-based internationally renowned artist Julian Germain, the portraits celebrate families, individuals, diversity and the people of Birmingham and the Black Country.
5. Flutio
21 July - 7 August
FREE
Pop down to Sandwell Valley Country Park and enjoy Georgia Tucker’s immersive outdoor public art installation, Flutio. Step inside one of the sculptural cubes and be transported to another world where you can enjoy the meditative experience of swimming. The thought-provoking piece also highlights ocean pollution and water inequality throughout the Commonwealth.
6. Where is Home?
9 July - 29 August
FREE
Explore the global story of Indian migration to the UK, from the abolition of slavery to the present day. 2022 marks the 75th anniversary of the partition and independence of India, alongside the 50th anniversary of Asian Ugandan migration. Where is Home explores the origins of these seismic cultural shifts and tells the stories of the people directly affected.
7. Skin & Steel, Steel & Skin
16 September
£10
Skin & Steel: Steel & Skin is bringing the story of the steel pan to the Legacy Centre Of Excellence in Birmingham. Together highly skilled and talented African drummers, steel pan players and dancers share in the steel pan’s evolution through movement and music.
8. Children’s Poetry Festival
Until September
FREE
Children from across Birmingham have been invited to write poetry inspired by the Commonwealth Games, in particular the themes of humanity, equality and destiny, along with the power of the human body, the spirit of the games and a sporting moment. Get down to Birmingham Cathedral and Cathedral Square to see them on display.
9. Foreign Exchange
Until October
FREE
Check out Birmingham’s Queen Victoria statue reimagined by acclaimed Guyanese-British artist Hew Locke in Victoria Square. The statue highlights the centuries of trade, migration and complex histories throughout the Commonwealth.
10. Opening Ceremony
28 July
FREE
Be one of the 1 billion people expected to tune into the Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony. Created by a team led by Peaky Blinders’ writer and creator, Steven Knight, it’s set to be a showcase of West Midlands talent and diversity – and certainly not one to miss.
