TITANIC EXHIBITION BIRMINGHAM

The renowned Titanic Exhibition remains available to view for much of the month at Birmingham’s NEC.
Visitors can step back in time and follow Titanic’s extraordinary journey, from its construction at the Harland & Wolff shipyard in Belfast, through its ill-fated maiden voyage, to its rediscovery on the ocean floor and its legacy more than a century later.

The exhibition showcases a collection of authentic Titanic artefacts, including personal items recovered from the sea in the aftermath of the disaster and objects discovered on the seabed decades later. 

Titanic Exhibition Birmingham NEC, Birmingham, until Tuesday 26 May

Titanic Exhibition


GIFFORDS CIRCUS: WATERFIELD

Giffords Circus first visited Sudeley Castle in 2014 with Greek tragedy The Thunders and has returned to the venue every year since. 

This spring sees the troupe performing Waterfield, a show inspired by the English countryside and the creatures that inhabit it. Presented in Giffords Circus’ 600-seat big-top tent, the production features handmade costumes, hand-painted sets, catchy songs, and performances by acrobats, magicians, aerial artists, entertainers and clowns (including local favourite Tweedy!).

Sudeley Castle, Cheltenham, until Tuesday 5 May

Giffords Circus: Waterfield


CHELTENHAM JAZZ FESTIVAL

Cheltenham Jazz Festival celebrates all genres of jazz and features international icons, up-and-coming artists and unique festival performances. This year’s line-up includes Jack Savoretti, Jessie J, Nigel Kennedy, Joss Stone and Van Morrison.

As usual, the event is hosting a free live music stage in the Festival Village, with pop-up live music performances taking place at venues across the town.

Various venues across Cheltenham, until Monday 4 May

Cheltenham Jazz Festival


GREAT BIRMINGHAM RUN

The Midlands’ biggest mass-participation running event returns early this month as Birmingham welcomes thousands of runners back to its streets.

The hugely popular get-together provides participants with the opportunity to run either a 10k or half marathon. The designated route takes the runners past some of the city’s best-loved locations, including the Jewellery Quarter, St Paul’s Square, the Mailbox, Grand Central, St Martin’s Church, Southside and Digbeth. 

A Mini Run, designed specifically for younger participants, takes place at the Alexander Stadium in Perry Barr on Saturday the 2nd. 

Birmingham City Centre, Sunday 3 May

AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run


STRATFORD LITERARY FESTIVAL

The Stratford Literary Festival makes a welcome return early this month, complete with its usual mouthwatering line-up of bestselling authors and household names from stage & screen.
Featuring more than 80 events, the festival’s programme includes a host of talks, workshops, and events for children. Contributors to the four-day programme include Ardal O’Hanlon, Prue Leith, Scrummy Mummies and Mark Gatiss.

Crowne Plaza Hotel, Stratford-upon-Avon, Thursday 7 - Sunday 10 May

Stratford Literary Festival: Saturday


RHS MALVERN SPRING FESTIVAL

The RHS Malvern Spring Festival makes a welcome return to the town’s Three Counties Showground early this month.

One of the first major flower shows of the season, the festival’s 2026 edition showcases some of the country’s best-known television gardeners and horticulturalists. Contributors include Alan Titchmarsh, Monty Don and BBC Gardeners’ World regulars Adam Frost, Frances Tophill and Sue Kent. 

Raymond Blanc is one of a number of culinary connoisseurs taking part in the festival, while Dame Mary Berry will be talking about her new gardening book. 

The festival also features the crowning of the very first RHS award-winning show gardens of the year, the latest in horticultural trends, a host of fun family-friendly activities, and a number of brand-new or returning features, including a Blooming Borders category.

This year’s theme is Roots Of The Future: Honour The Past, Grow The Future.

Three Counties Showground, Malvern, Thursday 7 - Sunday 10 May

RHS Malvern Spring Festival


FOTOFEST

Taking place across various venues, Fotofest features a full programme of exhibitions, workshops and demonstrations, presented alongside a visual expo that includes some of the biggest names in photography and imaging technology. 

The weekend-long festival also features a diverse programme of talks and discussions exploring photography, creativity and storytelling. 

Organisations including the Royal Photographic Society, Urban Hax and the UK Black Female Photographers Community will also be involved in the programme. 

To find out more about what’s happening, visit @FotoFestWalsall on Instagram.

Various venues in Walsall, Saturday 9 & Sunday 10 May

Walsall to host first ever FotoFest this May


1960S EVENINGS

Transport yourself back to the hip and transformational decade of the Swinging 60s at the Black Country Living Museum mid-month, courtesy of two evenings of psychedelic music and far-out fashions. Visitors can twist the night away, dine on a variety of food & drink, or simply soak up the nostalgic atmosphere. 

Black Country Living Museum, Dudley, Friday 15 & Saturday 16 May

1960s Evenings


MAKERS CENTRAL

Makers Central is back at the NEC, bringing together creators, hobbyists and artists from all over the world. 

Visitors young and old can get involved with a selection of interactive sessions, including   drone building with Extreme Fliers and beginner-friendly electronics workshops with MadLab.

Everyone from experienced makers to families and first-time triers can have a go at making things with new technologies, along the way gaining a better understanding of the science behind how things are put together. 

Attendees can also see the stars of Robot Wars up close, as well as have a go at driving a robot for themselves in the Robot Warriors arena. The UK Droidbuilders will also be on hand, showcasing their expertise in building droids from unconventional materials and providing inspiration for aspiring makers.

NEC, Birmingham, Saturday 16 - Sunday 17 May

Makers Central


SOUL REVOLUTION

Soul Revolution returns to Weston Park this month, bringing together live music, thought-provoking talks and over 200 workshops, all designed to elevate the mind, body and spirit. Taking place in a safe and family-friendly environment, the festival boasts a diverse programme of events and activities, from sacred ceremonies to immersive healing practices.

Weston Park, Shropshire, Friday 22 - Tuesday 26 May

Soul Revolution


ROYAL CARRIAGES FAMILY TRAIL

Celebrate the restoration of the crown this half-term holiday with a trail of colourful royal carriages at The Commandery.

From dragons to swans, families can explore the building and find all of the decorated carriages.
Bank Holiday Monday (the 25th) sees the venue recognising Oak Apple Day - a traditional celebration marking King Charles II’s return to the throne in 1660.

Over in the craft room, youngsters can make their own Oak Apple mobile to take home.

The Commandery, Worcester, Friday 22 - Sunday 31 May

Royal Carriages  Family Trail


POP-UP FAMILY FESTIVAL

Little ones, teenagers, parents and grandparents are invited to join this ‘joyful’ family festival ‘bursting with creativity, curiosity, and fun for all ages’. 

Families can stretch into the day with yoga sessions; get creative with an artist-led workshop; discover, touch and explore the Sensory Sculpture Trail; and find a treasure hunt’s creative clues.  

A programme of short films, a relaxed Star Wars screening, and performances of Zog and Sisters 360 (pictured) also feature in the festival’s wide-ranging programme of entertainment.

Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Saturday 23 May

POP-UP Family Festival


BIRMINGHAM PRIDE

Celebrating the Midlands’ LGBTQIA+ community, Birmingham Pride will once again get the city partying this month.

It’s expected that more than 40,000 revellers will attend the event across the weekend, with an impressive 75,000-plus people either participating in or watching the annual Pride parade through the city’s streets.
Headline acts this year include Katy B, Sigala and Nadine.

Birmingham Gay Village, Hurst Street, Birmingham, Saturday 23 & Sunday 24 May

Birmingham Pride


FOSSIL FUN WEEKEND

Thinktank is hosting a half-term-holiday weekend of family fossil fun to celebrate the birthday of prehistoric pioneer Mary Anning.

Mary, who was born on the 25th of May 1799, found the first-ever skeleton of an Ichthyosaur - a giant, fish-like Jurassic creature - when she was just 12 years old. 

A female scientist whose story is often overlooked, Mary spent her life collecting, sharing and studying fossils... 

The museum will be celebrating her legacy with a programme of talks and activities, providing visiting families with the opportunity to make their own dinosaurs, dig for fossils in the Science Garden, and enjoy storytime sessions.

Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum, Saturday 23 - Monday 25 May

Fossil Fun Weekend


RAILWAY 200 EXHIBITION TRAIN

Curated in partnership with the National Railway Museum, the Inspiration exhibition train returns to Severn Valley Railway’s Kidderminster station  for the half-term break.

The touring train debuted last year, marking the 200th anniversary of railways, and has since visited 60 locations across Britain, stopping off at mainline stations, heritage railways and rail freight sites. 

Severn Valley Railway, Kidderminster, Saturday 23 - Sunday 31 May

Railway 200  Exhibition Train


PEPPA PIG SPACE ADVENTURE

Designed for preschoolers and early-years children, Peppa Pig Space Adventure blends storytelling and play in a calm, welcoming environment ‘where families can explore together’. The experience is a walk-through adventure rather than a stage show, with each space inspired by Peppa’s world.

NEC, Birmingham, Saturday 23 May - Sunday 8 November

Peppa Pig Space Adventure


HEROES OF THE AIR

RAF Museum Midlands hosts a family-friendly celebration of courage and adventure this half-term holiday, celebrating ‘the remarkable stories of those who took to the skies’.

Among the attractions is a special trail allowing youngsters to engage with some of the heroes of aviation from the past. 

Other highlights include fascinating exhibitions, the opportunity to uncover inspiring stories, and the chance to watch a powerful BBC documentary series featuring first-hand accounts from those who lived through the Second World War.

RAF Museum Midlands, Cosford, Monday 25 - Friday 29 May

Heroes Of The Air


INSIDE THE T REX

Families can ‘step beneath the skin and bones’ of one of the most formidable predators in history when world-first live dinosaur show Inside The T Rex pays a visit to Birmingham this month.

The 90-minute interactive experience, designed for children aged six-plus and featuring a full-scale, scientifically recreated T-rex, uses expert-led demonstrations and interactive science experiments to explain to visitors how the Tyrannosaur moved, hunted and functioned.

Village Hotel, Shirley Birmingham, Monday 25 - Sunday 31 May

Inside The T Rex


MIDLANDS AIR FESTIVAL

 

The Midlands Air Festival returns to Ragley for a seventh year late this month, filling the skies with classic jet fighters, vintage aircraft, hot-air balloons, helicopters, high-energy aerobatics and more. 

Trade stands, children’s rides and ‘more entertainment than ever before’ also feature on the bill, as does the onsite camping experience, available for up to four nights. 

Ragley Hall, Warwickshire, Friday 29 - Sunday 31 May

Midlands Air Festival


QUILTER CHEVIOT BRITISH OPEN SQUASH

Considered to be one of the most prestigious and historic tournaments in professional squash, The British Open returns to The Rep at the end of the month.

Women’s World No1 Nouran Gohar and Men’s World No2 Diego Elias are expected to defend their crowns, appearing in the tournament alongside a host of world-class talent. Along with the prestigious trophy, the Open also boasts a total prize pool of $670,000, to be split equally across the men’s and women’s draws.

The Rep, Birmingham, Sunday 31 May - Sunday 7 June

Quilter Cheviot British Open Squash