The August bank holiday weekend is closing in so whether you are looking for one last family outing, a day of enjoying the arts or letting loose with your friends, the West Midlands has you covered.
Below, we have put together a list of some of the activities and events taking place between 22 and 25 August across the region:
Birmingham and the Black Country
We start in Birmingham with the Birmingham Weekender – a free city-centre festival from Saturday until 25 August, featuring aerial dance, street performers, pop-up experiences, installations and family-friendly “carnival happenings”, so say organisers Birmingham Hippodrome.
Elsewhere, in Kings Heath, there’s the Páirc Summer Series, described as “the biggest celebration of Irish music and culture”, between Saturday and 25 August at the outdoor grounds of the Irish Centre.
There’s also, on 24 August, Afrobeats N Brunch, called “the UK’s biggest African brunch” at Sector 57 in Digbeth.
Elsewhere, in Wolverhampton the largest-ever exhibition of the UK’s hobbies continues at Wolverhampton Art Gallery with the Come As You Really Are exhibition running until 5 October.
They feature objects on show that have been created, modified or collected by hobbyists from across the UK.
More activities and events are listed on the Visit Birmingham website and the Enjoy Wolverhampton website.
Coventry and Warwickshire
In Warwick, they’re holding what they dub the BIG Summer Market – and could it be any bigger?
Arts, crafts and a local produce market held on Market Square on the bank holiday Monday with street food and other entertainment promised.
Also in the town from 24 August t0 25 August is the town’s Horticultural and Allotment show with craft stalls and a tea tent as they celebrate horticulture in the town and county.
More activities and events are listed on the Visit Warwickshire website.
Hereford and Worcester
Boat fans should consider the Ross Regatta this bank holiday, a charitable event held annually in Ross-on-Wye between 25 and 26 August.
The event will see boat racing across several classes as well as live music and duck racing.
A little further north, the Ledbury Carnival returns on 25 August in the Herefordshire town and features fairground rides, bands, stalls, dance displays, children’s entertainment and, of course, the carnival procession.
Just after the bank holiday, in the Herefordshire hamlet of St Owen’s Cross, they are holding their outdoor summer fiesta at The New Inn on 26 August with summer-themed entertainment and organisers promise it is for those who “enjoy live music, delicious al fresco dining and cocktails”.
Then from Thursday through the bank holiday weekend, until Sunday, is the Bewdley Beer Festival at St George’s Hall in the town.
Shropshire
Starting in the county town with the Shrewsbury Folk Festival – a family and dog-friendly folk Americana and world music festival, running from Friday to 25 August, with live music across multiple stages.
Then for steam enthusiasts, there’s the Shrewsbury Steam Rally at Onslow Park on 24-25 August, featuring more than 1,200 exhibits including steam engines, vintage tractors, classic cars, plus craft stalls and fairground rides.
Down the road from Shrewsbury, on the Saturday and Sunday of the weekend, there will be the White Horse Pulverbatch Beer Festival at the White Horse Inn, Pulverbatch, with real ales, ciders, live music and food all on offer.
Hopefully it will be a good weekend for ballooning with the Telford Balloon Fiesta taking place from Friday to the bank holiday Sunday at Telford Town Park.
Organisers have promised family activities, live music and of course, plenty of balloons.
More ideas for your family can be found on the Visit Shropshire site.
Stoke and Staffordshire
In Staffordshire, they have the Single Parent Festival at Sherratts Wood, east Staffordshire, from Friday to the 27 August.
It is an event, organisers say, designed for children to play and fellow parents to meet and make friends.
Elsewhere, there’s the Penkridge Open Air Festival, near Cannock, from Friday to 24 August with the Vengaboys, Boney M, The Weather Girls and more perform live.
Credit: BBC
