Birmingham will be celebrating the UK hosting the Eurovision Song Contest, on behalf of 2022 winners Ukraine, with a giant free party in Centenary Square on Saturday 13 May.

The Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final will be live streamed from BBC One on a big screen from 8pm, with special effects and surprises along the way including a chance to vote for your favourite act and see how Brum voted alongside the rest of Europe.

Ahead of the broadcast will be a family-friendly programme of live music, dance, performance and more guaranteed to get you moving and grooving. The event will be hosted by Birmingham-based drag extraordinaire Fatt Butcher, alongside Ginny Lemon, from Season 2 of Ru Paul’s Drag Race, who featured in the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony flying in in a giant lemon shaped hot air balloon.

Launching the programme at 3.30pm will be a special Eastern European folk dance and Ukrainian music presented by Centrala, an internationally recognised centre for Central and Eastern European Art and Artists, based in Birmingham.

As well as watching beautiful performances, you’ll get the chance to make music together too. Take part in a workshop with Musical Kitchen, led by Iryna Muha – a Ukrainian-born singer, musical artist and band leader with musicians from Creane Creatives.

Participants will be invited to make music and share stories about their ‘BaBas’ – whether it’s your mum, aunty or granny – which will be used as inspiration for the workshop’s activities.

Headlining the live programme with two shows will be Massaoke - the world’s biggest group sing-along party experience! Join our all singing all dancing sequin-clad live band as they play hairbrush anthems from across the decades.

Accompanied by giant video lyrics for you to sing along to, we guarantee an electric atmosphere peppered with well-known Eurovision hits. Expect sequins, spandex, rock star poses and infinite air guitar before the big event is broadcast on the giant screen.

Big Fish Little Fish will be bringing the rave to the family massive with a specially curated set jam-packed with dance and Eurovision fan favourites. Families of all ages can let loose on a dance floor filled with bubbles, snow foam, wing dancers, confetti cannons and a giant parachute dance finale.

Blending heaps of energy with classical aerobic dance moves set to a a heavy drum ‘n bass soundtrack, Drum N Bounce will lead a fast-paced inclusive dance fitness session to get you dancing and smiling.

Bounce your way through Europop, bassline classics and mixes by Kyiv-based Ukrainian DJ Vlad Yaremchuk from Ukrainian Association of Music Events as we raise money for Music Saves UA. Music Saves UA is a non-profit fundraising initiative providing humanitarian help to those who need it most right now in Ukraine.

Radio 2 DJ Scott Mills’ curated Eurovision Classics will be on the big screen bringing party vibes and a chance to watch fan favourite Eurovision hits from past and present.

Whilst there will be a chance to enjoy the finest food and drink offering from Birmingham street food traders, attendees are also welcome to bring picnics.

The Birmingham Eurovision Fan Zone will be live from 3.30pm ahead of the Liverpool finals being broadcast at 8pm on 13 May.

Image: Nick Robinson