Midlands Arts Centre announce packed programme of summer activities
The Midlands Arts Centre (MAC) has announced a programme of summer activities featuring live shows, exhibitions, and new screenings.
Live shows and music gigs range from one-day music festival Ryland Caravan to free, drop-in gigs on MAC’s Terrace celebrating the city’s best emerging talent (Brum Rising).
The activities start from the Ryland Caravan Music Festival 2026 headlined by 90s indie band The House of Love.
Taking place on Saturday, 6 June, people can enjoy the ‘era defining band’, fronted by influential songwriter Guy Chadwick.
The co-headliners of the event are Michael Head and The Red Elastic Band, who will perform songs from Head’s career, spanning critically-acclaimed groups Shack, The Strands and much-loved 80s favourites The Pale Fountains.
Other performers include Independent Country, homegrown talent Johnson & Finnemore and Ollie Cook & The Hogwash.
Celebrating Sanctuary's annual world music and arts festival will also be coming to the MAC on Saturday, 20 June.
The Brum Rising festival will return on selected weekend in August, celebrating the next wave of artists shaping Burmingham’s sound - from pop, rock and RnB to jazz, soul, folk, funk and everything in between.
Other events include the Healing Arts festival, a week-long, city-wide initiative exploring how arts and culture can support health, wellbeing and social change on Friday 26 June.
MAC’s key exhibition during the summer is Michael Pinsky’s The Final Bid.
The internationally renowned artist’s exhibition is said to challenge the desire to buy new things.
Clare Hewitt’s ‘Everything in the forest is the forest’ exhibition will be running until 31 August.
The acclaimed photographer presents new work that celebrates trees and their ability to nurture and communicate, in response to a government report suggesting that loneliness and isolation were increasing in rural areas of the UK.
The Summer Arts Markets also returns from 7 June to 2 August, bringing together the best independent makers from Birmingham, the West Midlands and beyond.
Summer film screenings include The Devil Wears Prada 2 (till 4 June), The Odyssey, Toy Story 5, Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu, and The Sheep Detectives.
MAC Cinema is also offering ‘Pay what you Choose’ options on a selection of films to open up access to visitors. Visit the website for more information.
The KLN Café will continue serving summer specials throughout the week (Monday to Friday 10 am to 4 pm and Saturday/Sunday 9.30 am to 5pm).
Pizzas will also be served on Fridays and Saturdays from 4pm to 7.30pm.
Pictured: Stuart Murdoch performing at MAC’s Ryland Caravan last year.
