Sponsored by Deutsche Bank, the inaugural Brindleyplace Family Festival will take place on Saturday 16th June, raising vital funds for blood cancer charity Cure Leukaemia with fun for the whole family.

Visitors will be able to learn a new skill and get creative at various workshops throughout the day with DanceXchange and Ikon Gallery. Adding a touch of magic to the day, as well as a number of spellbinding performances magicians from The Magic Circle will be sharing tips and tricks to try at home to impress friends and family.

Nathan Sanghera, Marketing and Events Executive at Brindleyplace, said: “We’re counting down to our first ever Family Festival at Brindleyplace this summer and we’re excited to be able to announce some of the free activities we’ve got planned.

“There’ll be face painting, balloon modelling and traditional Punch and Judy shows, perfect for anyone with young children as well as a giant James and the Giant Peach inspired story corner – an inflatable giant peach in Central Square, you won’t be able to miss it! – while football fans can test their footwork and take on the Birmingham City Football Club mascots. There’s even an Adult Crèche in Oozells Square with manicures and beauty treatments – so there really is something for everyone and, with more to be announced, it’s definitely worth putting the date in your diary now!”

For the first time this year, the 19th annual Dragonboat Race will also be part of the new Family Festival at Brindleyplace with businesses from across the city getting involved. 18 teams will compete in a series of heats along the Birmingham and Worcester Canal in 20ft traditional Chinese longboats while their friends, family and other festival goers, cheer them on by the canal. This year’s teams include Deutsche Bank (the event’s headline sponsor for a seventh consecutive year), Birmingham City Football Club, GVA, CBRE and last year’s winners, Kind Consultancy. Teams will take to the water in fancy dress, all in aid of Cure Leukaemia.