Betwixt-mas: Things To Do Between Christmas and the New Year in Birmingham & The West Midlands

Free to enter with festive activity sessions for children and a new Spooky Shakespeare exhibition to explore.

Visit the Library of Birmingham to explore Shakespeare’s spooky side in a free exhibition or bring the kids to make festive origami the week after Christmas. 

Ready to get crafting? 

Friday 26 December 2025 - CLOSED

Saturday 27 December 2025 - 11.00am - 5.00pm

Sunday 28 December 2025 - CLOSED

Monday 29 December 2025 - 11.00am - 7.00pm

Tuesday 30 December 2025 - 11.00am - 7.00pm (Festive Origami Session - 2.15pm)

Wednesday 31 December 2025 - Closes at 5.00pm

Cheap and cheerful, fun for all the family. Kids under 15 go free. 

Meet Dippy the Diplodocus, a dinosaur fresh from the Natural History Museum; or discover more about Coventry's lost school library. There's so many exhibitions to explore at the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum making it a perfect Winter's day out for the family. 

Meet Dippy the Dinosaur in person

Friday 26 December 2025 - CLOSED

Saturday 27 December 2025 - 10.00am - 4.00pm

Sunday 28 December 2025 - 12.00pm - 4.00pm

Monday 29 December 2025 - CLOSED

Tuesday 30 December 2025 - 10.00am - 4.00pm

Wednesday 31 December 2025 - 10.00am - 4.00pm

Perfect for curious minds and families, with a hands on show included to keep everyone entertained.

The ThinkTank will be open for visitors from 29 December to 31 December, with a fantastic live show included in admission. In the Science of Light show, you will explore what the Sun and the Earth have to do with those short winter days, how we might use light to have a little fun, and even use light to add a splash of colour. 

Lights, Science, Action! 

25-28 December 2025 - CLOSED

29 to 31 December 2025 - 10.00am - 5.00pm 

1 January 2026: CLOSED

Fun for all ages, perfect cosy theatre for a cold winter's day.

Get ready for a pantomime packed with magic, music and mayhem as The Old Rep brings the timeless tale of Cinderella to life in this spectacular festive production for the whole family! See performance times below:

Have a magical time with Cinderella 

Friday 26 December 2025 - 2.30pm

Saturday 27 December 2025 - 2.30pm & 7.00pm

Sunday 28 December 2025 - 2.30pm & 7.00pm

Monday 29 December 2025 - No performance

Tuesday 30 December 2025 - 2.30pm & 7.00pm

Wednesday 31 December 2025 - 2.30pm

A lively show for friends and family to keep the festivities going up until New Year's Eve. 

Packed with action, adventure, and a generous dose of glitz and glamour, Robin Hood will shoot straight to the top of your must watch wish list. See performance times below:

 Oh Merry Men?

Friday 26 December 2025 - 5.15pm

Saturday 27 December 2025 - No performance

Sunday 28 December 2025 - No performance

Monday 29 December 2025 - 7.15pm

Tuesday 30 December 2025 - 7.15pm

Wednesday 31 December 2025 - 1.00pm & 5.15pm

A delight for all ages on this magical evening trail. 

Experience Coombe Abbey Park as never before with a spectacular reimagined illuminated trail featuring fresh lighting designs, an updated route and immersive soundscapes.

Warm up on the Winter Wonderland Trail

Friday 26 December 2025 - 4.30pm onwards

Saturday 27 December 2025 - 4.30pm onwards

Sunday 28 December 2025 - 4.30pm onwards

Monday 29 December 2025 - 4.30pm onwards

Tuesday 30 December 2025 - 4.30pm onwards

Wednesday 31 December 2025 - 4.30pm onwards

Escape the hustle and bustle of Christmas with a wander in nature. 

It's completely free to explore and enjoy the scenic surroundings of the West Midlands; whether you're planning a quiet walk in nature or wandering a heritage trail, there's somewhere for everyone in the region. 

Wandering in the West Midlands

Friday 26 December 2025 - Wednesday 31 December 2025 - OPEN

Quiet cultural escape for those interested in West Midlands heritage.

Experience the humble beginnings of the ordinary boy from Stratford-upon-Avon who went on to do extraordinary things. Get up close to rare artefacts from the world’s largest public Shakespeare museum, library and archive and wander through the beautiful garden.

 Learn all about William Shakespeare

Friday 26 December 2025 - CLOSED

Saturday 27 December 2025 - 10.00am - 4.00pm (last entry 3.30pm) 

Sunday 28 December 2025 - 10.00am - 4.00pm (last entry 3.30pm) 

Monday 29 December 2025 - 10.00am - 4.00pm (last entry 3.30pm) 

Tuesday 30 December 2025 - 10.00am - 4.00pm (last entry 3.30pm) 

Wednesday 31 December 2025 - 10.00am - 4.00pm (last entry 3.30pm) 

1 January 2026: 11.00am - 4.00pm (last entry 3.30pm)

Great for animal lovers and families alike.

Come face to face with free roaming lemurs, feed rainbow lorikeets, meet friends on the farm and look out for ghosts in the ruins of 11th century Dudley Castle.

Meet an array of animals at the Zoo 

Friday 26 December 2025 - CLOSED

Saturday 27 December 2025 - 10.00am - 4.30pm (last entry 2.00pm)

Sunday 28 December 2025 - 10.00am - 4.30pm (last entry 2.00pm)

Monday 29 December 2025 - 10.00am - 4.30pm (last entry 2.00pm)

Tuesday 30 December 2025 - 10.00am - 4.30pm (last entry 2.00pm)

Wednesday 31 December 2025 - 10.00am - 4.30pm (last entry 2.00pm)

1 January 2026: CLOSED

Perfect for foodies looking for a culinary adventure. 

Christmas is a time for good food and good company; and Birmingham & the West Midlands have everything from cosy pubs to independent bars to globally inspired restaurants - all serving up something for every palate.

Try New Food & Drinks

Friday 26 December 2025 - 1 January 2026: OPENING TIMES VARY