With the end of the summer looming and a new school term on the horizon, we've selected some of the top events and activities to enjoy this forthcoming bank holiday weekend. 

MICROWORLD | WOLVERHAMPTON ART GALLERY | UNTIL MONDAY 28 AUGUST

Prize-winning duo Genetic Moo - whose digital art is inspired by ecology, artificial life and evolution - is the innovator behind this touring exhibition, an immersive art space filled with digital creatures that respond to the audience in a variety of ways. 

The popular show (it’s been visited by more than a third of a million people on its travels around Europe, the US, the Middle East and Asia), is fully immersive, interactive and adaptive - a ‘living’ space that provides families with the opportunity to create art together. 

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WOLVERHAMPTON KRAZY RACES | CITY CENTRE | MONDAY 28 AUGUST

Thousands of spectators will descend onto Wolverhampton city centre to cheer on krazy, wacky and outrageous soapbox downhill racers at the second Wolverhampton Krazy Races.

Launching themselves through Wolverhampton city centre past the iconic Beatties building in their carefully hand-crafted karts, the racers will tackle the track of over 350m with chicanes, obstacles, water and more. 

The event is fuelled by amateur teams who will be entertaining the crowds and competing to be the best dressed, have the best designed and the fastest soapbox karts.

Competitors will work their way through a knockout style competition with only the fastest 10 cars making it through to the final, where they will battle to take home the winner's trophy.

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HORRIBLE HISTORIES: UP IN THE AIR ADVENTURE | RAF MUSEUM, COSFORD | UNTIL SUNDAY 3 SEPTEMBER

Visitors can experience the (sometimes gruesome!) history of flight at the RAF Museum’s Horrible Hangar this month.

Based on the Horrible Histories publication Up In The Air, this brand-new interactive event brings characters from the book to life, flagging up some of their truly brainless blunders as they pursued their ambition to take to the air!

Legendary aviation pioneers from throughout history will be on hand to steer families around six zones: The Engineer’s Workshop; Barnstorming Braves; Creation Station; Meet The Inventor; Selfie Zone and the Up In The Air Challenge.

Visitors can also pick up a bespoke Horrible Histories activity pack and check out the free Twinkletoes Trail.

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SUMMER FIESTA | WESTON PARK | SUNDAY 27 & MONDAY 28 AUGUST

Weston Park’s Summer Fiesta returns for a third year over the bank holiday weekend.

The two-day event family-friendly event, taking place on Sunday 27 & Monday 28 August, features a line-up of local food, drink and crafts producers, live music from the Dirty Rockin Scoundrels and The Gold Room, fairground rides and Indian Dohl drumming workshops.

The whole estate is open to explore including the Woodland Adventure Playground included in the discounted ticket price. The Miniature Railway will also be running to take you on a ride into the enchanting Temple Wood.

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TUNES THROUGH TIME | BLACK COUNTRY LIVING MUSEUM, DUDLEY | UNTIL SUNDAY 3 SEPTEMBER

From gramophones to electric guitars, from Thomas Edison’s recordings to Elvis Presley, discover how music and instruments have changed through time at Black Country Living Museum.

Meet the miners who make up their own folks songs to brighten up their day underground, hear choral music in the chapel, and learn a few war-time songs that British folk sang to boost morale. Plus, explore Stanton’s, the new 1950s music shop, and see how the celebrity culture of the stars influenced hairstyles and clothing.

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ELSEWHERE...

PIRATE TREASURE HUNT | NATIONAL SEA LIFE CENTRE BIRMINGHAM | UNTIL 4 SEPTEMBER

Ahoy there, mateys, it’s time to head off on a swashbuckling treasure hunt at the National SEA LIFE Centre!

Along the way, little ones will have the chance to meet a real pirate and collect pirate trading cards... And to make the experience even better, there will be some ‘special treasure’ waiting for them at the end of the adventure, too!

Opportunities to check out the venue’s underwater residents - including sharks, green sea turtles and clownfish - further add to the fun.

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BIRMINGHAM WEEKENDER | CITY CENTRE | SATURDAY 26 & SUNDAY 27 AUGUST

This bank holiday, free event Birmingham Weekender will take over the heart of the city with colourful installations, interactive experiences and energetic performances from some of the best local, national and international artists.

This year’s festival takes place at Bullring & Grand Central and in the Hippodrome’s home district of Southside.

Highlights include a giant swing set on Central Street, which will be open to the public after daring aerial duets from All or Nothing Theatre; a spectacular stage near the Rotunda, curated by young people; and Lumini, a sculptural and sensory inflatable walk-through of wonder. Located on Hippodrome Square, Lumini will host an array of workshops and performances across the weekend, including yoga, sensory sessions and African drumming.

The festival culminates on Sunday with Weekender Carnival, a vibrant musical celebration and dance extravaganza by ACE Dance and Music featuring a mass procession through the streets to start and end the day.

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 THE LION KING | BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME | UNTIL SATURDAY 16 SEPTEMBER

Julie Taymor’s stage adaptation of the Oscar-winning animated film of the same name brings together a huge cast of actors, singers and dancers. Seen by a staggering 110 million people worldwide since premiering on Broadway in 1997 - and featuring hundreds of masks & puppets - the show tells the compelling story of Simba, a young lion cub, as he journeys through life and struggles to accept the responsibilities of adulthood...

The production’s rich tapestry of songs and compositions - the most famous among which is the iconic Circle Of Life - includes contributions from Elton John and Hans Zimmer.

Age guidance for the two-and-a-half hour show is six-plus.

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TELFORD BALLOON FIESTA | TELFORD TOWN PARK | FRIDAY 25 - SUNDAY 27 AUGUST

Friday night activities start at 5pm with family-friendly workshops including circus skills and hula hoop, followed by a time travel show from Rhubarb Theatre at 6.30pm. Music and entertainment will take place on the Live Music stage from 7pm with the Night Glow spectacular starting at 9pm.

Saturday and Sunday proceedings run from 12pm - 7.3pm with the Wings Parachute Team dropping in at 12am on both days.

Enterainment includes: Midlands Kite Flyers, family activity zone, activities at Bike Hub, food and drink areas, crafts and activities and more. There will be live music each day from artists such as Rick Cosco, Telford and District Light Opera Players, Rock Choir, Got To Sing and more.

Balloon flights are scheduled for 6am and 6pm Saturday and Sunday but timings and launches are strictly weather dependent.

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IRONBRIDGE GORGE WORLD HERITAGE FESTIVAL | MONDAY 28 AUGUST - SUNDAY 17 SEPTEMBER

The Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Festival returns this summer, complete with a host of events, activities and workshops.

The popular festival celebrates the history and culture of the town. Attractions will include walks, talks, trails, arts, music & poetry, a street festival, a Taste of the Gorge event, a coracle regatta and heritage open days.