100 Days of Creativity: 7 Unmissable Events in July

We are currently in the middle of Birmingham’s 100 Days of Creativity. An extensive programme of artistic events and activities taking place across the city from 19 May – 26 August. The programme is pretty extraordinary, there is something to do or experience every single day of the 100 days, and the breadth of the activities means there really is something for everyone.

You can take a look at the full programme here but there are a handful of events in July that really caught my attention as I was curating these listings. So without further ado, here are my 7 unmissable events for the month ahead:

Birmingham Creates: The Open

Until 5 July

Snow Hill Square & Victoria Square

If you haven’t already visited Snow Hill Square and Victoria Square to see this fantastic showcase of local art then be sure you do before it closes on 5 July. It’s completely free and is such a great reminder of the emerging talent we have in this wildly creative city.

Find out more: https://visitbirmingham.com/event/birmingham-creates%3a-the-open/160676101/

Birmingham Mela 2024

13 – 14 July

Victoria Park, Smethwick

I’ve snuck this one into the listings because it’s Birmingham by name, even if officially it’s in Sandwell. Experience the largest South Asian music festival in Europe (yes you did read that correctly). Enjoy music, dance, food, arts & crafts and more!

Tickets and more info here: https://www.birminghammela.com/?utm_medium=culturehosts&utm_source=Visit%20Birmingham%20-%20Simpleview&utm_campaign=Birmingham%20Mela%202024

The Birmingham Jazz & Blues Festival

19 – 28 July

Across Birmingham

​​Running since 1985, Birmingham, Sandwell & Westside Jazz Festival is England’s longest-established jazz and blues festival and one of Europe’s biggest free jazz parties.

Performances take place in all sorts of venues, from shopping centres and bars to hotels and art galleries! I’m having a bit of a love affair with the Exchange at the moment, so I’ve got my eye on their afternoon of Jazz from the award-winning Tenement Jazz Band ( with a special guest set to appear too).

You can find the full programme here: http://www.birminghamjazzfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Jazz_Fest_2024_compressed.pdf

Jewellery Quarter Festival

20 July

Across the Jewellery Quarter 

My favourite area in the whole city, Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter is a vibrant and charming place to visit at any time of year (and home to some of the city’s best bars and restaurants too!) but it really comes alive during the annual JQ Festival. 

Enjoy live music and performances, independent makers markets, demonstrations, arts and heritage tours and even a Jewellery Quarter themed miniature golf course (I’m as curious as you are on that one!!).

Visit the Midlands Art Centre

All July

MAC Birmingham

There are so many events taking place at MAC for the 100 Days of Creativity that it’s impossible to point to just one. Peruse the programme and you’ll see what I mean.

If you don’t fancy booking onto a specific event then head over for a relaxed day out – first, take a morning walk around Cannon Hill Park and grab some lunch at KILN. In the afternoon, take in the series of exhibitions around the building but be sure not to miss Acts of Creation: On Art and Motherhood – an incredibly moving touring exhibition from Hayward Gallery.

Find out more: https://macbirmingham.co.uk/

Hamilton

Throughout July (and beyond)

Hippodrome

I have just booked my tickets to finally see Hamilton and I could not be more excited if I tried. 

This multi award-winning cultural phenomenon is touring the UK for the very first time and is coming to Birmingham Hippodrome for a ten week season from 25 Jun – 31 Aug 2024. Make the most! 

Hamilton is the story of America’s Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant from the West Indies who became George Washington’s right-hand man during the Revolutionary War and helped shape the foundations of America. The score blends hip-hop, jazz, blues, rap, R&B and Broadway – the story of America then, as told by America now.

Book tickets before they sell out: https://www.birminghamhippodrome.com/calendar/hamilton/?utm_medium=culturehosts&utm_source=Visit+Birmingham+-+Simpleview&utm_campaign=Hamilton

National Tresures / Jesse Jones

Throughout July (and beyond)

Ikon

I’ve been to Ikon three times since their summer season of exhibitions opened. There is such a buzz around their programme at the moment, it really is unmissable. From Dionne Kitson’s first major solo exhibition to National Treasures, and it’s the latter I’m focusing on today.

Ikon presents a masterpiece by Artemisia Gentileschi (1593-1654 or later), Self Portrait as Saint Catherine of Alexandria (about 1615-17). I absolutely adored how this artwork has been presented, an incredibly triking and dramatic display. Equally as striking is the response by contemporary artist Jesse Jones which brings film and performance to the gallery space. 

More here: https://visitbirmingham.com/whats-on/national-treasures-jesse-jones-p1575211