The cultural festival, which takes place between Friday 27th–Sunday 29th August, will be set across the iconic centre’s footprint as well as the surrounding New Street Station concourse, Birmingham Markets and 1000 Trades Square.

The programme, which has been produced by Birmingham Hippodrome, kick-starts with a Preview of Birmingham Weekender on Friday 27th August between 1pm – 8pm. Highlights include:

• Live open Birmingham Royal Ballet rehearsals on Lower West Mall (outside of Disney and H&M) between 1pm-4pm
• The Autin Dance Theatre bring to life their Sea Giant puppet EKO in Out of the Deep Blue performances at 2pm in Rotunda Square and 5.30pm on Central Street. The production will also be performed across the weekend in various locations.
• There will also be surprise performances popping up across the centre

The main programme of events will take place between 1pm–8pm on Saturday and 11am–5pm on Sunday. Programme highlights include:

• Leamington Spa-based Motionhouse showcase their WILD production in 1000 Trades Square at 1pm & 3.30pm on Saturday and 12pm & 2.30pm on Sunday
• Find cabaret superstar, Fatt Butcher, on Central Street bringing a feel–good pop-up big gay disco performed on a bike between 2pm – 4pm on Saturday
• The Lower West Mall (outside Disney) will be a must-visit location across the weekend as Gandini Juggling showcase their award-winning sensation SMASHED production and Fierce Flow host their circus/dance show.
• The Weekender Music Stage on Lower East Mall (outside of Selfridges) will see a variety of performers across the weekend including West Midlands-based Janel Antoneshia who appeared on The Voice earlier this year. There will also be a showcase by Punch Records on Sunday afternoon between 3pm–5pm.
• Birmingham performers Stan’s Café will be bringing their installation Of All the People of All the World to the Upper West Mall by the Customer Service Desk as well as performing The Commentators in various locations across the centre
• Birmingham Contemporary Music Group present Before Tomorrow Car Horn Concerto on the 4th Floor of Edgbaston Street Car Park

Other things to see and do include:

• Flatpack Festival will be taking over the big screen in St Martin’s Square across the weekend to present a series of short films
• Join the Guru Dudu Silent Disco Tours with hysterical commentary and uplifting tunes from the past few decades guaranteed. Booking required, visit www.bullring.co.uk/birmingham-weekender to find out more.
• Stop by Rotunda Square to experience the Chorus installation by Ray Lee
• Become part of the Friction Arts – How Were You? outdoor exhibition located by Birmingham Markets as a professional caricaturist offers free portraits
• The Bull will getting involved with his very own festival-inspired outfit

Danielle Bozward, Marketing Manager at Bullring & Grand Central, commented: “We’re really excited to host Birmingham Weekender at Bullring & Grand Central this August Bank Holiday weekend. We’ve got a jam-packed schedule throughout the weekend with performances, installations and activities happening across the centre’s entire footprint.”

Graham Callister, Director of Festivals at Birmingham Hippodrome, added: “We’re delighted to present the Birmingham Weekender programme with so many brilliant artists from Birmingham, the West Midlands and across the UK. We hope visitors to Bullring & Grand Central can really make the most of the fantastic festival programme and join us in celebrating the wealth of creative talent our region has to offer on the August Bank Holiday weekend.”