What's on in Birmingham: November and December 2026

November 2026

Ongoing until 21 February: EVERY THING MUST GO

Wednesday 29 July 2026 to Sunday 21 February 2027 | Joe Lycett art exhibition | Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Chamberlain Square | Free; normally Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm; closed 24 to 26 December and 1 January.

Birmingham's Joe Lycett explores nostalgia, loss and things that have disappeared, from buildings and animals to familiar treats. The paintings draw inspiration from the city's museum collections, combining humour with memories of cultural change.

From 5 November: Frankfurt Christmas Market

Thursday 5 November to Thursday 24 December | Outdoor festive market | Victoria Square and New Street, Birmingham | Free public entry; purchases and experiences charged separately.

Browse traditional gifts and seasonal food in the city centre, with live entertainment around the bandstand. The organiser notes that weekdays and Sunday evenings tend to be quieter than Friday and Saturday evenings, which may help when planning a family visit.

6, 13, 20 and 27 November: Crafternoons

Fridays 6, 13, 20 and 27 November, noon to 4pm | Social arts and crafts | Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Chamberlain Square | Free drop-in sessions for teens and adults.

The published November programme includes heavy metal life drawing, rangoli making, Victorian and William Morris-inspired puzzle purses, and patch making. Try a technique or work on existing skills in a relaxed museum setting; no booking is required.

7 November: Brooch collage workshop

Saturday 7 November, 11am | Jewellery and mixed-media workshop, ages 18+ | Craft & Culture Cafe Bar, Museum of the Jewellery Quarter | £30; three hours; materials included; book ahead.

Birmingham jewellery artist Rocio Aguilar introduces collage techniques to create a wearable brooch from images, textures and other materials. All skill levels are welcome. There are two entrance steps, with a ramp available by advance request.

7, 14 and 21 November: Classical guitar in the galleries

Saturdays 7, 14 and 21 November, 1pm and 2.15pm | Live classical guitar, all ages | Pre-Raphaelite galleries, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery | Free drop-in; each performance around 45 minutes.

Guitarist Nigel Modern performs Spanish and acoustic repertoire among the paintings. The informal gallery setting offers a chance to hear live music as part of a museum visit, without booking a separate concert ticket.

From 18 November: Peter Pan

Wednesday 18 November 2026 to Sunday 17 January 2027 | Family theatre, ages 7+ | Birmingham Rep, Centenary Square | From £23, including the restoration levy where applicable; £3.50 transaction fee per order.

Wendy and her brothers travel to Neverland in a new adaptation by Phil Porter, with original music by Ruth Chan. The Rep's Christmas production includes audio-described, signed and captioned performances; choose a date through the theatre's booking calendar.

From 20 November: The Nutcracker

Friday 20 November to Saturday 12 December | Birmingham Royal Ballet | Birmingham Hippodrome, Hurst Street | Tickets from £26; approximately two hours and ten minutes including an interval; recommended ages 5+, no under-threes.

Birmingham Royal Ballet brings Clara's Christmas adventure to the stage with Tchaikovsky's score played live by the Royal Ballet Sinfonia. An audio-described performance is listed on 28 November, and a relaxed performance on 1 December.

December 2026

From 3 December: The Ugly Duckling

Thursday 3 December 2026 to Sunday 10 January 2027 | Family theatre, ages 3 to 6 | The Door, Birmingham Rep, Centenary Square | From £15.50, including the restoration levy where applicable; £3.50 transaction fee per order.

Katherine Chandler adapts Hans Christian Andersen's story of a duckling searching for a place to belong. A small-scale introduction to theatre, the show celebrates difference and self-discovery. Selected performances also have a free pre-show storytelling workshop.

17 December: CBSO Christmas Party

Thursday 17 December, 7.30pm | Orchestra, choirs and seasonal songs | Symphony Hall, Broad Street | £27.50 to £65.50; advertised prices include the applicable ticket commission; around two hours including an interval.

Jess Gillam presents an evening with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Stephen Bell and the CBSO's choirs. Vocalists Sumudu Jayatilaka and Tom Solomon join the programme of familiar Christmas songs and orchestral celebrations.

From 19 December: Sleeping Beauty

Saturday 19 December 2026 to Sunday 31 January 2027 | Family pantomime | Birmingham Hippodrome, Hurst Street | Tickets from £20; recommended ages 5+, no under-threes; ages three and four at parental discretion.

Rylan, Matt Slack, Zoe Birkett and Andrew Ryan lead the Hippodrome cast in a pantomime about Princess Aurora and Carabosse's spell. The venue advises that the production is loud, with some scenes intended to be a little frightening for younger children.