As a thriving cultural centre, Birmingham has a colourful mixture of entertainment to offer – here are just some of the cultural gems on offer in and around the city.
Theatres and productions
The major theatres are the Hippodrome (home of the internationally acclaimed Birmingham Royal Ballet), the New Alexandra Theatre and Birmingham Repertory Theatre – all of which offer a mix of classics, ballet, opera, musicals and major dramatic productions.
The Midland Arts Centre, in Cannon Hill Park, stages a more eclectic range of theatrical events and films as well as workshops and exhibitions. The Royal Shakespeare Company at Stratford-upon-Avon is only 45 minutes from the city, and if you're under 25 you can get tickets for as little as £5.
Films
For film buffs, Birmingham offers everything from the latest blockbusters and Bollywood films at the multiplexes to the art deco styled Electric, which is the oldest working cinema in the UK, having first opened in 1909. There are also the Odeon, the Arcadian and the recently opened 30-screen Star City, the UK's largest cinema.
Galleries
The city has some of the finest art galleries in the country, including the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, which houses the world's leading collection of Pre-Raphaelite art; the Barber Institute of Fine Art, with an outstanding collection of renaissance and impressionist art; and the Ikon Gallery with its stunning contemporary work. For a 'living museum', visit the Jewellery Quarter, where craftsmen and women use traditional methods to produce jewellery which is then sold direct to the public.
Festivals
Birmingham's ArtsFest, the UK's largest free arts festival, is a major attraction, and you'll also find festivals showcasing the best in everything from dance and design to animation.