What to do in Birmingham during the autumn and winter seasons. It’s time to dust off your woolly hats and gloves and tear out last year’s Christmas shopping list. The leaves are on the change and that familiar chill is back in the air. Birmingham and beyond is brimming with autumnal and winter-time activities. We’ve picked out some of our favourites to share – most being suitable for the whole family!
From pumpkin picking, firework displays and meeting Santa. It’s time to soak up the festivities throughout Autumn until Winter with our itinerary of the best that Birmingham has to offer during the seasonal months.
Pumpkin Picking
Honour spooky season with the iconic orange squash by grabbing a wheelbarrow to harvest the best pick of the patch. Whether you choose to carve a Jack-o’-lantern or cook them into an autumnal dish, pumpkin-picking season is in full-swing!
Some pumpkin picking spots we recommend are:
Please note that we recommend checking opening times and if booking in advance is required.
Birmingham Botanical Gardens Winter Light Trail
Embark on an evening mile-long wander illuminated by the theatrical lights, sights, and sounds, bringing the grounds of the Birmingham Botanical Gardens to life. Running from 29th November 2024 – 1st January 2025. It is noted that tickets must be booked in advanced online.
Book your enchanting journey now: https://luminate.live/birmingham-botanical-gardens
Embark on a Magical Journey on the Polar Express Train Ride
Do you believe? You will after this! THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride is returning to Vintage Trains with the magical Christmas family film being theatrically re-created so you and your family can be immersed in the sights, sounds and intrigue of this classic children’s tale. Prepare to be surrounded by the magic and wonder of the Christmas season. The train leaves from Birmingham Moor Street with the experience lasting around two hours. Expect hot chocolate, cookies and an unforgettable festive show.
Book tickets now: www.vintagetrains.co.uk/train-rides/polar-express/
Annual Fireworks Display at Lichfield
Remember, remember the 5th of November! The sky above Lichfield Golf and Country Club is set to be alight with a sparkling, crackling and booming extravaganza. Alongside this, you will be able to enjoy drinks served at their licensed bar, great food served by The English Indian, The Handmade Pizza Co and Fat Snags, and kids can hop on a bouncy castle and have their face painted.
Purchase your tickets here.
Warwick Castle Halloween At The Castle
Visit the West Midland’s most historical landmark. Within its walls as old as time, you can delve into its thousands of years’ worth of history and haunting true tales this Halloween.
‘The Haunted Castle‘, invites you for haunting half-term fun from the 26th October – 3rd November. Creep around 15 live shows and attractions such as mysterious mazes, venture around the Haunted Hollows, be entertained by the Witches of Warwick Live, attend spooky schools for all those budding witches and wizards, and much more!
Tickets: from £22 per person.
The castles after dusk event, ‘Castle After Dark’, are for those daring to seek more of a fright! This is a festival-themed evening event which will feature live music and entertainment, scare mazes, haunted hollows, as well as local street food & drink stalls. Dates available to book are from 26th October – 31st October from 6pm.
Tickets: from £23.00 per person.
Birmingham Hippodrome Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Nutcracker
An annual festive classic here in Birmingham, is the Nutcracker performance by the Birmingham Royal Ballet at the Birmingham Hippodrome. An absolute must-do activity to do during the Autumn and Winter seasons here in Birmingham. Sir Peter Wright’s timeless production of the Christmas classic will transport you straight to an enchanting winter wonderland of dancing snowflakes, twinkling Christmas trees and even a Sugar Plum Fairy.
Quick! Book your tickets today.
Festive Events at Black Country Living Museum
Step back in time this festive season at the Black Country Living Museum. The award-winning open-air museum, who are one of Tik Tok’s star accounts, will be featuring three festive events: Glad Tidings for a cosy evening event, Santa Hunts for an exiting quest to save Christmas, and Unwrapping Christmas for a day of festive activities.
The Unwrapping Christmas event invites you, your friends and family for cosy daytime events. From 23rd November – 5th January, dip in and out of the old timey shops and houses, chat with historic characters, experience Edwardian education, watch an old movie, and warm your mitts with a mulled wine by an open fire! from 23rd November – 5th January.
Glad Tidings invites your for a cosy evening at the museum, where you will gather around open fires as the sound of carols ring out, meet and greet festive characters, all as you gorge on warming Christmas treats.
Santa Hunts invites you and your little ones on a quest to help Santa’s elves find the magic keys for Santa’s new Black Country Christmas grotto. There will be letters to be written in the school and stamped in the post office, coins to be magically transformed and most importantly: Santa to find! You will have the opportunity to meet the big man yourself individually and hint at what is on your Christmas list this year! Please note that tickets for Santa Hunts will only be available to purchase via telephone from the Ticketing team on 0121 520 8054 (lines open 10am-4pm, Monday-Friday).
For further information regarding these events and to book, visit here.
Wander the Autumn Countryside at Lickey Hills Country Park
The perfect outdoor activity to do throughout the Autumn and Winter seasons here in Birmingham. Breath in the fresh, crisp air and feel the crunch of leaves beneath your feet in one of Birmingham’s most picturesque spots: Lickey Hills. Take a stroll amongst the vibrant colours bursting from the trees around you, stop for a hot chocolate in the café and let your little ones run wild in the woodland park. You can also opt to visit its neighbouring village, Barnt Green, where local pubs will welcome you to cosy up with a drink and bite to eat by a crackling log fire.
Festive Afternoon Tea at Park Regis Birmingham
Available to book between 29th November – 31st December 2024 (excluding Christmas day).
Our Classic Afternoon Tea has been tinkered by Santa’s Elves! Rejoice in the magic of the Christmas season with our Festive Afternoon Tea. Take pause from the rush of Christmas shopping and cosy up in our 1565 Bar & Lounge with an assortment of sweet and savoury delicacies, infused with the warming and decadent flavours of Christmas.
Only £29.45 per person! To book this sparkling winter teatime treat, visit here to book now.
