Many of you love planning family days out. So what's better than viewing a year ahead? I will update this post to share great days out around the West Midlands for families. Many of the events that I share are either free or low cost. Feel free to book mark the this page to see new information as the year progresses.
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January
Lunar New year Celebrations fill the Bullring and Grand Central with performances on Saturday 21st January. These continue in Birmingham's Southside on Sunday 22nd January with food stalls, family activities and performances. We have joined in these celebrations in previous years and my children loved the lively, bright dancing.
https://www.birminghamhippodrome.com/save-the-date-lunar-new-year-celebrations-return-to-birmingham-in-january/
February
Dippy the Dinosaur arrives in Coventry at The Herbert Art Gallery. Tickets are free but expect them to go fast! Over half term there are family activities including crafts and stop-motion. These must be booked in advance and are priced reasonably.
https://www.theherbert.org/whats-on/1697/dippy-in-coventry-the-nations-favourite-dinosaur
March
Coventry Transport museum have lots of family activities on throughout the year and their website is well worth a look. In March it is British Science Week and all of the museum's family activities are devoted to STEAM fun. Special events are low cost but do need booking.
https://www.transport-museum.com/events/1556/british-science-week-2023-connections
April
Shakespeare's Birthday celebrations take place in Stratford on Saturday 23rd April. We have visited in previous years and you can expect a real party atmosphere in the town. It gets very busy so it's worth using the train or park and ride rather than driving into Stratford which will have road closures. There are free performances and families activities.
https://www.rsc.org.uk/events/shakespeares-birthday-celebrations
May
On 13th May in Digbeth, you can find all things to do with Lego at Brick Festival. At the moment, there is an Early Bird discount plus under 5s are free. There will be a dedicated build area with access to thousands of Lego bricks.
https://brickfestivalevents.com/event/birmingham-brick-festival-2/
June
We have had great fun at Open Farm Sunday in previous years. It's spread across the whole country and you can use the website to search for a farm near to you and find out what's going on. We have visited pig farms, dairy farms and chicken farms in the past and the children have taken parts in all kinds of activities such as trails, tractor rides and crafts. Events are free with small charges for activities depending on the farm.
https://farmsunday.org/visit-a-farm
If you haven't been before, The Big Bang Fair is brilliant. It runs between 21st and 23rd June at Birmingham's NEC. It's full of everything to do with STEM and is packed full of interactive exhibitions and shows about science and technology. Aimed at children in Year 6 upwards, the fair hosts mainly school visits. However on Wednesday 21st between 4.30pm and 7.30pm it's open to families, home educators and community groups. It's absolutely free and booking opens sometime in January.
https://www.thebigbang.org.uk/the-big-bang-fair/
July
Dragon Boat Racing is back in Birmingham. You can of course enter a team but it's great fun to watch with kids. You can expect colour and fun as well as some wet participants. It takes place on 30th June and 1st July and is in aid of Birmingham Children's Hospital. Head down to the canal by the Mailbox to watch the races.
https://www.bch.org.uk/Event/dragon-boat-2023
Challenge your kids to a Megalodon Tooth Hunt at Birmingham University's Lapworth Museum. my children love this museum. It's very easy to get to from University train station and it's completely free. They love the luminous rocks and the hands on exhibits.
https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/facilities/lapworth-museum/events/activities.aspx
Between 28th July and 6th August Centenary Square in Birmingham is home to a plethora of free performances every day at Birmingham Festival 23. There are lots of family friendly performers.
https://www.birminghamfestival23.co.uk
This Summer a there will be a beach in Staffordshire. Lichfield Cathedral is bringing fun in the sun with sand and daily children's activities from 22nd July to 3rd September.
https://www.lichfield-cathedral.org/what-s-on/the-beach
August
Hopefully the sun will be shining and it will be wonderful picnic weather for the Family Fun Day and Craft Fair at Brownsover Hall near Rugby on 12th August. There are bouncy castles and children's activities. Free tickets are already available on Event Brite.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/family-fun-day-craft-fair-brownsover-hall-rugby-tickets-495427175017
This free festival is a brilliant event spread across The Hippodrome, Grand Central and The Bullring. Birmingham Weekender is completely free over 26th and 27th August. It's jam packed full of Arts events to engage the whole family. Some events do need pre-booking. Follow the link to do this.
https://www.birminghamhippodrome.com/calendar/birmingham-weekender-2023/
Telford Balloon Fiesta takes places between 25th and 27th August. There are children's workshops, music and theatre and it's all free. Plus it's right next to the brilliant Telford Town Park.
https://www.visittelford.co.uk/whats-on/telford-balloon-fiesta-p1428921
September
Many places all over the country throw open their doors for free between 8th and 17th September as part of Heritage Open Days.
https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk
The Big Green Sunday: Family Day is taking place at Midlands Arts Centre or the MAC in Cannon Hill Park. It begins at 11am and ends at 4pm and is completely free.
https://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/big-green-sunday
While you at at the Big Green Sunday Event above. Head over to Edgbaston Stadium Piazza to visit the Pollution Pods.Starting from a coastal location in Norway, you will pass through increasingly polluted cells, from dry and cold locations to hot and humid, including London, New Delhi, San Paolo and Beijing. Booking is essential. Children are free. Adults are £2.
https://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/pollution-pods
October
Birmingham University has a great Art Museum that is completely free to visit. The Barber Institute hosts half term workshops and events for families. Check out their website a little nearer the time.
https://barber.org.uk/category/visit/
November
Warwick Christmas Lectures are back! From 30th November to 7th December. For just £4.50 per person, you can experience mind boggling family friendly science from some of the university's best Scientists.
https://www.warwickartscentre.co.uk/whats-on/3Vx-warwick-christmas-lectures-2023/
From 2nd of November to 23rd December, Birmingham's German Market is back in the city centre. It's free to walk around and soak up the atmosphere.
December
If you are looking for a cost effective way to see Santa and some festive fun, check out the offering from Sandwell Valley. There are events at Forge Mill Farm and the main valley site. Full details for 2023 have not yet been released.
https://www.visitsandwell.com/autumn-winter/valleychristmas
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