The latest news from the city.
A guide to Birmingham's free cultural activities, from the Ikon Gallery and the free jazz sessions at Symphony Hall to the city's parks, the Library of Birmingham and the creative quarters of Digbeth and the Jewellery Quarter.
Nexus Cafe, a women-of-colour-owned specialty coffee shop on Digbeth's Meriden Street, serves New Era coffee, filled bagels and toasties, and hosts monthly community events. Open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 6pm, it's family-friendly with a kids menu and outdoor seating.
The Pen Museum sits in a former Victorian pen factory in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter and tells the story of the city's steel pen trade. Visitors can try writing tools and make their own nib. Opening times, ticket prices and upcoming events are covered below.
A preview of Birmingham's biggest fireworks and funfair on 29 October at Lea Marston, with its low-noise and main displays, funfair, character meet-and-greets and parking rules, plus a look at the other big displays on Saturday 7 November.
Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery transforms its Gas Hall into an immersive Peter Pan experience from 23 October to 3 January, with a full-size galleon, live characters and a 45-minute walk-through. Tickets are timed and tiered by peak, with £1 from each sale going to Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity.
A guide to Lekker Café in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter, a 100% halal Dutch-inspired brunch spot with an in-house pastry chef. Covers the all-day brunch, sourdough and sweet sections, the sharing tower, opening hours and the walk-in-only policy.
Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas Market runs from 5 November to Christmas Eve, with a modified layout due to roadworks on New Street. Covers opening hours, the Centenary Square ice rink and wheel, food, live music, accessibility and parking.
Rock & Roll BrewHouse is a family-run microbrewery and music venue in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter. It serves vegan cask ales, real cider and offers live music on Saturday afternoons and Friday DJ nights. Opening hours are limited to Friday and Saturday evenings, plus weekend brewhouse bar access.
The Wiggles bring their Sparkle! BIG SHOW to Utilita Arena Birmingham on Wednesday 31 March 2027 at 10am. A guide to tickets, VIP packages, accessibility, venue rules and how to get there.
The Invictus Games come to Birmingham from 10 to 17 July 2027. The priority presale has already run, the Community presale is on 20 and 21 October, and general sale opens on 22 October. This guide covers ticket types, prices and accessible options.
