More than 100,000 people joined together to experience a packed programme of world-class outdoor arts, theatre, dance, music as The Birmingham Weekender returned to the city.
Across three days, hundreds of mirror balls shimmered above Rotunda Square for the biggest city centre open-air disco, Mirror Bull City. Crowds danced to daily DJ takeovers and a headline set from legendary DJ, broadcaster and musician Huey Morgan.
Victoria Square became a vibrant hub for young people with the 0121 Stage showcasing the region’s most exciting artists and The Ideas Factory by HSBC UK, where younger audiences were encouraged to dream big, get creative and bring their ideas to life.
At New Street Station, visitors stumbled across surprise flash mobs from Marshon Dance Company and performances from The Opera Station, Got 2 Sing Choir, and Otempodiz by Ertza Dance.
Bullring welcomed an exciting programme including roaming puppets, showcases from Birmingham Royal Ballet and inclusive workshops and takeovers from Propel Dance. Local young dancers had the opportunity to perform a special piece created for the festival by São Paulo Dance Company.
Visitors enjoyed spoken word performances from Birmingham Weekender's Poet in Residence, Zakariye, and City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra joined with Weekender to bring their celebrated CBSO in the City to a spectacular close, with musicians filling the Bullring with orchestral favourites.
The festival also presented the premiere of four shows co-commissioned through Without Walls: Talawa Theatre Company’s Fragments of Us, Daughters of the Wire’s ElevateHer, Thingumajig Theatre’s Kismat Walla and GARBH by Shyam Dattani and Mira Salat.
Matt Evans, Head of Festivals & Sites at Birmingham Hippodrome, said: "It was brilliant to see people experiencing the city differently, dancing under mirror balls, discovering unexpected performances and enjoying world-class artists in the heart of Birmingham.
"A huge thank you to everyone who joined us, our brilliant staff and artists who kept the festival shining through the rain and to all our partners for making it possible.”
Dan Murphy, Destination Director at Bullring, added: "The atmosphere at Bullring and across Birmingham city centre throughout the weekend was incredible.
"Birmingham Weekender has become a real highlight in the city's calendar, and we were delighted again to support an event that showcases Birmingham at its very best."
Brought to audiences by Bullring and HSBC UK and produced by Birmingham Hippodrome, Birmingham Weekender 2026 brought together DJs, world-class outdoor arts, theatre, dance, live music and family-friendly experiences into one unforgettable festival.
The festival was delivered in partnership with Global Streets with public funding from Arts Council England and is part of Without Walls, a network of organisations bringing innovative outdoor arts to towns and cities across England.
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