Birmingham Weekender is back this August bank holiday, bringing a four-day programme of free performances, installations and pop-up experiences to the city.

Running from Fri 23 Aug – Mon 26 Aug, the celebrations feature experiences and commissions from an eclectic mix of regional, national and international companies.

Produced by Birmingham Hippodrome in partnership with Bullring and Grand Central, Birmingham Weekender will spread across the city’s streets, squares, shopping centres and even the sky above the city.

Highlights include Unity from UK-based Gorilla Circus; a large-scale spectacular in the skies including hair-hanging artists, dance trapeze and high wire walks, Hippodrome Live; showcasing performances from top West End musicals live and free from Hippodrome Square and the Big Fish Little Fish Family Rave.

Elsewhere, the Bullring Selfie Studio invites visitors to put themselves in the picture with a new commission from Birmingham creatives Pickle Illustration, while Architects of Air are back with Luminarium, a large scale, inflatable installation which uses the beauty of light and colour to dazzle in Victoria Square.

A huge festival finale on Mon 26 August will include Island of Foam by Stephanie Luning from Germany, transforming St Martins Square into an island of colour by filling it with multicoloured foam as well as The CBSO taking over the lower mall in the Bullring with two full orchestral performances.

Jon Gilchrist Artistic Director and Chief Executive at Birmingham Hippodrome said: “Birmingham Weekender is a joyous celebration; I know from experience that Weekender provides magical memories that last a lifetime. This year expect jaw-dropping aerial performances, a larger-than-life walkthrough inflatable, multicoloured foam – that’s right foam – and pop-up performances across the city. We will celebrate the city’s rich culture, shine a spotlight on our own region’s talent and welcome artists from across the UK and further afield and in the process create some ‘goosebumps’ moments for everyone who joins us.”

Birmingham Weekender 2024 is free to attend and the full programme is set to be announced later this month.