Fun Things To Do In Birmingham

The world's biggest chicken wing festival is back, with Birmingham Wing Fest taking over Hockley Social Club for three days this August. Vote for your favourite wings across a number of categories and crown the very best traders of the buzzing event.

Wing-eating contests and hot wing challenges are also on the cards for competitive ticket holders, while everything from live music and DJs to live cooking demos await for entertainment.

Perfect for playing in pairs or as a group, CityDays Birmingham is the ideal experience for those who are keen adventurers as well as those who are curious. Figure out the cryptic clues sent to your phone as you explore the streets of Brum across these self-guided city tours, uncovering hidden gems, plaques and statues along the way before you reach your destination. This event is perfect for families or if you're looking to plan a work day out and get to know the city a little bit better with a well-earned drink involved. 

Whether you're after Michelin-starred and Guide-mentioned restaurants or stunning Argentinian steakhouses and the finest street food destinations, our list of the best places to eat across the city is a must-read. Rooftop spots and Instagrammable venues filled with blossom trees? They're all in the guide too, alongside Neapolitan pizzas from Rudy's and delicious helpings of Dishoom's signature black dhal or bottomless porridge. Yes please. 

Whether you need some outdoor activities or things to do at night, Digbeth's Luna Springs is coming in hot with its epic lineup of happenings. We're talking everything from themed bottomless brunches with performances from stars seen in the hit musical Mamma Mia to karaoke. What's more, if you're seeking free things to do in Birmingham, tickets to some of these goings-on in the city's biggest event space cost nothing if you show up before 6pm. And if you're just plain hungry during the day, you'll find a huge selection of street food vendors whipping up the likes of burgers and pizza, all waiting to be washed down with some craft beer. 

You need to be in it to win it with this one. The Big Birmingham Bake promises a killer competition and the chance to be crowned the ultimate baking champion. You'll have 90 mins on the clock to create a sweet treat, using provided utensils, ingredients, instructions and your very own kitchen station. There's a new theme all the time so keep your eyes peeled, and with tickets starting from £33.90 per person, it makes a fantastic birthday or group activity to do with all your friends. So, what are you waiting for? Strap on your apron, forget the trauma of food tech and get mixing up some mischief (and treats, of course). 

Treetop Adventure Golf is a fantastic shout when it comes to activities for families or friends. Grab the gang and work your way through this quirky 18-hole miniature course that's jungle-themed (and don't forget about the 19th bonus hole either), followed by a visit to The Market where you can fill up on pizzas and garlic bread from Cabana and cocktails like the monkey mojito and the Stoli vanilla vodka-based Bamboo Cooler from the Jungle Buzz Café.

Along with pretty interiors and quirky cocktails, Tonight Josephine is also jam-packed with a mix of girl power events to match the pink-tastic interiors. We're talking bottomless brunches with everything from burlesque to drag queens and pop icons or Mamma Mia themes - topped off by 90 minutes of unlimited drinks to fuel the fun. And on the menu? Dig into the likes of buttermilk chicken Caesar salads, pulled salt beef burgers and buns filled with roast sweet potato and grilled halloumi, all accompanied by fizz and porn star martinis. 

There's no denying that Coyote Ugly on Broad Street is one of Birmingham's wildest, most unique bars. And every day? They host a brilliant Nashville Hoedown Bottomless Brunch. Tickets range from £27.50 to £32.50 and include 90 minutes of bottomless pizza. Yes, you read that right. And to wash it all down, you'll also bag unlimited bubbles and pints.

This quirky event takes place every single day, although if you mosey down on a Saturday, you'll also be able to have a crack at line dancing with help from the bar's famous Coyotes.

One of the most classic Birmingham city things to do discover is all the ways you can watch sports. Whether you want to catch the rugby, Wimbledon, and Birmingham City or Aston Villa's football feats, there's a pub or bar to head to when you don't get in-person tickets. Plus, there are even places showing the Ashes if you've ever missed out on seeing England at Edgbaston Stadium cricket ground.

Hosting some of the best performances in the Midlands, Old Joint Stock Pub & Theatre is Birmingham's premier fringe venue - with many shows here either coming from or on their way to Edinburgh Fringe. You can expect hilarious comedies and stand-up shows, as well as gripping dramas or burlesque and drag. And if that wasn't enough? Check out their bingo events and open mic nights as well.

Get ready to bring the sunshine to Birmingham this summer at the Rum & Reggae Festival on the 12th of July at Lab11. Following a successful run in Nottingham, this festival promises even bigger and better vibes, with iconic performances from The Marley Revival, Reggae Roast with Mr. Williamz, and a UB40 tribute.

Enjoy tropical rum cocktails, delicious Jamaican food, and electrifying entertainment, including fire eaters, stilt walkers, and limbo competitions. Whether you're dancing to reggae beats or getting a glittery makeover, this is the ultimate summer celebration you don't want to miss.

Taste + Liquor are teaming up with Birmingham Bierkeller to bring R&B, Garage, Afrobeats, 00s and 90s brunches. Throw shapes to five hours of chart-topping tunes from your chosen genre, with one hour of bottomless rum punch (if you get there as soon as it starts) included in your ticket price as well, which is around £18 per person. So, prepare to sing along to all your favourites form Faith Adams to Beyonce and more.

Birmingham Cocktail Weekend is taking place across dates in July and October this year, with wristbands starting from only £10 per person. This gets you access to £6 cocktails all over the city, a well as £5 mocktails, exclusive food deals and a hotel discount.

Over 40 different locations will be serving up their signature drinks for a bargain price, including luxury hotels, cocktail bars, cosy pubs and more.

Yakinori has opened up their sushi school in Solihull to all of us lucky Birmingham residents and visitors alike, promising a welcome drink and a selection of starters like gyozas and tempura prawns before diving into the class. Learn how to make everything from a Cali roll to sashimi and an inari parcel, with sake to drink afterwards too. The event runs every other Thursday evening, lasts around two hours and tickets start from £20 per person, so grab yours now and master the art of sushi. 

Offering some of the best things to do in Birmingham with kids or adult-only groups alike, Escape Hunt is making sure you're covered for quirky activities at their Resorts World location. Explore 4D worlds with themes such as Alice In Wonderland, Doctor Who and Aladdin, as well as some virtual reality adventures too. Plus, you can always make your way over to the Corporation Street location in the city centre too, which boasts samurai and Blackbeard rooms.

Sandbox VR is home to plenty of things to do in Birmingham today, for example, a casual bit of alternate universe jumping. You can explore eight different virtual worlds created by EA, Sony, and Ubisoft names at this venue, where you will be fully immersed in free-roam virtual reality via Hollywood motion capture cameras, 3D precision body trackers and haptic suits. What's more, you can also grab a cocktail from the robot bartender - yes, really. 

If you're looking to upgrade your weekend afternoons, we highly suggest booking one of The Cocktail Club's bottomless brunches. These purveyors of tasty mixes have come from success in London to bring house party and Top of the Pops themes to the city complete pizza, 90 minutes of unlimited drinks and a DJ playing all the hits within your chosen genre. Snap up tickets from around £39 per person, embrace the double denim or go a little Gaga and let this eclectic haunt show you where the good times are at. 

Touting a plethora of cool activities, add Boom Battle Bar on Broad Street to your list of things to do in Birmingham this weekend. The venue showcases everything from augmented reality axe throwing to beer or prosecco pong; there are private karaoke booths for you and your mates to sing your hearts out in. Then after, load up on scrumptious 'Boom Bites' like chicken wings, fully loaded bacon parmesan fries, and cauliflower burgers paired with lip-smacking signature cocktails, such as Honey It's Time To Party, made using Cazcabel honey tequila and pink cotton candy.

The world's first official Formula One racing simulator is a great shout for competitive socialising, complete with cutting-edge technology and mouthwatering menus. This city centre venue boasts 53 full-motion simulators to feel like a real racer, giving you the choice of different skill levels to compete individually or as a team. You can follow up your gaming session with cocktails and a sophisticated meal, featuring fried halloumi, loaded flatbreads, juicy burgers and much more.

If you're on the hunt for things to do in Birmingham city centre, Flight Club's Brunch Social is a brilliant shout. While getting competitive over a few rounds of darts (which is an extra high-tech version of the sport thanks to fun mini-games, electronic scoring and action replays), you'll get to chow down on unlimited wood-fired pizzas while washing down a whole bottle of fizz (all to yourself). So, gather your mates and book your spot for a Saturday or Sunday from £30 per person. 

The Jam House in the Jewellery Quarter has always been at the forefront of live music nights. It's located in a traditional Georgian building boasting an open-plan dining area and bar making it easy to see the stage from wherever you're sitting and sipping a fresh pint. Founded by the iconic Jools Holland and Neil Tibbatt, it's a right of passage when it comes to hosting unplugged sets and jazz nights. The 600-capacity venue has seen the likes of Ben E King, Heather Small and Jamie Cullum grace its grounds over the years, so don't miss out on who could be next. 

Grab your sweetheart and bring them to NQ64, as it's one of the top things to do in Birmingham for couples. Fronting quirky and neon interiors, this Digbeth den has various arcade games to play using tokens bought at the bar, such as Space Invaders and Tekken, alongside retro consoles that are totally free to use. Gaming-inspired cocktails also make up the quirky drinks being shaken up by the bar. We recommend the rum-based Mad Max.

The Old Crown is well and truly famous around our parts, and has been since its opening in 1368. The Grade II-listed, Tudor-style building is instantly recognisable in Digbeth, while inside you'll find just as much fun - ranging from quizzes themed around Brooklyn Nine-Nine, It's Always Sunny and The Office (to name just a few), as well as disco nights or sports viewing parties with live music. And if you're looking for a bite to eat while you get stuck into testing your general knowledge, you'll find a range of pub classics from fish and chips to sharer boards filled with nachos. 

It doesn't get better than The Distillery's Round House gin masterclasses. It's just a short walk from Brindley Place and you'll get a G&T upon arrival, followed by a guided course on the spirit so you can create your own bottle to take home using their copper pot stills - plus, there's a fresh sourdough pizza to help each participant refuel as well. Want more? These folks host bottomless brunches too, packed with crispy buffalo cauliflower and hot sauce small plates, eggs Benedict with honey roast ham and its signature tiramisu; snap up two courses for £34 or three for £39.

Situated in St Paul's Square, 180 Club at The Rectory is a top choice of fun activities, whether it's a quirky date night, team building activity or a group outing that you're after. This underground social darts bar features state-of-the-art electronic boards across six lanes, providing space for up to 12 players at once. What's more, they've got everything from cocktails to craft beer, alongside a mouthwatering menu of hot dogs, chicken wings, burgers and more to tuck into while you play.

YO! is coming up trumps when it comes to fun team-building activities and quirky date nights. You'll get to learn about the history of sushi while practising your knife-cutting skills and creating a few California rolls yourself. Plus, you can snack on gyozas and edamame throughout the cracking experience, which you'll find at both the Grand Central and Selfridges locations in Birmingham.

For a unique take on walking tours, check out The Great Game Treasure Hunt. While exploring through various iconic landmarks and solving clues, you'll uncover the hidden history and fun little titbits about the iconic city. It's the perfect immersive outdoor activity to do with friends or family. What's more, you'll be rewarded 20% off your total food and drink bill at the 'treasure spot' (also known as, the pub) for completing the challenge.

Back in 1824, a man called John Cadbury opened up a grocer's shop on Birmingham's Bull Street and the rest is history. Fast forward to today and everyone's favourite purple bar has its own theme park in the heart of the city it was first conceived. Cadbury World makes a super fun-filled day out with its interactive chocolate making classes, 4D experiences and a totally chocoholic afternoon tea from £28.95 per person. There's even the chance to get to know the origin of the humble cocoa bean by taking a trip to the Aztec jungle where Emperor Montezuma awaits. 

From traversing Sandwell Valley's Forge Mill circular trail to exploring 15 acres at Birmingham Botanical Gardens and Glasshouses or touring Digbeth's street art, there are plenty of rambles to get stuck into across the city centre, the surrounding areas and beyond. Uncover some of the best places to visit in Birmingham when you want to get out and about on a walk here, including canalside stints at Gas Street Basin and Brindley Place too.

One of the best things to do in Birmingham, Glee Club is a prime feature of the country's comedy circuit in a few cities across the UK - and here is no exception. Headline TV acts frequent the stage here, alongside up-and-coming comedians, to tickle your funny bones. Over the years, the brightly lit stage has seen the likes of Michael McIntyre and Jack Dee show off their sets to an intimate audience of 600. 

We can't think of a more tranquil and wholesome day out than wandering around the Birmingham Botanical Gardens and taking a peek at the Grade II-listed Victorian glasshouse. Explore 15 acres of land featuring landscapes inspired from across the world, make your way through meadows and venture over to the Gardens Café on the Loudon Terrace to tuck into a tuna melt panini and a cup of tea as a halfway point.