A Packed Autumn and Festive Season Across the West Midlands

The West Midlands is heading into another busy period for tourism, with October to December 2026 bringing a strong mix of major cultural events, exhibitions, family attractions, sport and festive experiences. The autumn programme will build on the momentum of the summer before moving into one of the most important periods of the year for welcoming visitors.
 

Birmingham has a particularly varied programme planned, with the Birmingham Comedy Festival opening the quarter from 2–11 October, and Birmingham, Literature Festival from 8-12 October, followed by Birmingham Cocktail Weekend later in the month. The city’s autumn cultural offer is strengthened by theatre, live music and exhibitions, before the focus turns firmly towards Christmas. The Frankfurt Christmas Market from 5 Nov and Christmas in Cathedral Square will provide major seasonal attractions, alongside festive theatre, shopping, food and entertainment across the city centre including the world’s favourite classical ballet ‘The Nutcracker’ from 20 Nov – 12 Dec just ahead of panto and seasonal theatre.

Coventry will welcome the landmark British Art Show 10: A Chorus of Strangers from 2 October, bringing one of the UK’s most significant contemporary art exhibitions to the Herbert Art Gallery and Warwick Arts Centre until January 2027. The city will then move into an extensive Christmas programme, combining its medieval and architectural heritage with festive events at St Mary’s Guildhall and Coventry Cathedral, alongside pantomimes, theatre, concerts and family activities.

In Solihull, the autumn programme begins with Under the Same Sky on 3 October, bringing together a borough-wide community arts project with a colourful procession, music, movement and aerial performance at Tudor Grange Park. The autumn and winter programme also includes major events at the NEC, equestrian sport, live music and theatre, before a busy December of concerts, family entertainment and festive shows, including Santa’s Best Ever Christmas at The Core.

Across the Black Country, autumn will provide plenty of opportunities to experience the area's distinctive cultural offer, from heritage and family attractions to contemporary art and live entertainment. Black Country Living Museum will host its Home of Industry Weekend in October, followed by Black Country History Day and a programme of October half-term and Halloween activities. November will bring its Festival of Light, celebrating Diwali with entertainment, food and a lantern procession, before the museum moves into its popular Christmas programme from late November.

In Sandwell, meanwhile, autumn events include literature, music, heritage and community programming, with further festive activity planned for December. The New Art Gallery Walsall will present major exhibitions including Charmaine Watkiss's The things we hold sacred, alongside a programme of workshops, family activities and its annual Diwali Community Day. In Wolverhampton, The Halls will welcome a packed programme of music and entertainment, while Wolverhampton Art Gallery opens Palingenesis, a major new exhibition by local artist Rachel Magdeburg. As the year draws to a close, Christmas artisan markets, family events and festive celebrations will provide further reasons to visit towns and city centres across the Black Country.