- B’Opera: An Inclusive Autumnal Concert invites children aged 0–5 and their families to enjoy a relaxed, inclusive musical adventure in the Jennifer Blackwell Performance Space at Symphony Hall, where pumpkins dance, woodland creatures come out to play and falling leaves make music.
- Coltrane 100: Both Directions at Once celebrates the centenary of the birth of iconic saxophonist John Coltrane in 2026, giving audiences a rare opportunity to be part of this landmark musical moment at Town Hall.
- The Dinosaur That Pooped A Rock Show brings a brand-new story to the stage at Town Hall in a fun-filled family show packed with entertainment and dinosaur-sized delights.
- Jools Holland returns to Symphony Hall with his celebrated Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, joined by special guests Roachford, Ruby Turner, Louise Marshall, and Sumudu Jayatilaka for an evening of hits spanning his remarkable career.
B:Music, the Birmingham music charity responsible for Symphony Hall and Town Hall, has announced its 2026/27 winter programme, bringing together an exciting mix of live music, comedy, dance, and spoken word across its iconic venues.
November kicks off with a diverse line-up, including A Shameless Night: An Evening with the Cast of Shameless and British country duo The Shires. The musical highlights continue into December, with The Overtones and Joss Stone taking to the stages of Symphony Hall and Town Hall. Looking ahead to January, audiences can enjoy the return of Magic of Motown, alongside The Classic Rock Show, which celebrates 30 years of the world’s greatest classic rock music.
Ready to dance into Christmas? Get into the festive spirit with Xmas on the Dancefloor, a spectacular celebration of music and dance for all ages. Featuring Strictly Come Dancing favourite Gorka Márquez, alongside a world-class cast of dancers, singers and the fabulous Xmas Dolls, this dazzling new production combines show-stopping choreography, powerhouse vocals and infectious energy. From Mariah Carey and Slade to the Spice Girls, Whitney Houston, Elton John, and Michael Bublé, expect a glittering soundtrack of festive favourites and feel-good hits, brought to life with plenty of glitz, glamour and Christmas magic at Symphony Hall (21 December).
Fancy a good laugh? B:Music is bringing a stellar line-up of comedy talent to Town Hall and Symphony Hall this winter, promising plenty of laughs from some of the biggest names on the circuit. Catch Thomas Green (14 November), Dylan Moran: Looking for Trouble (17 November), Fin Taylor: The Pre-emptive Comeback Special (26 November) and Josh Pugh: Ha Ha, Yeah Sound (29 November) for an evening of top-class stand-up. Then, on 21 December, Comedy Crackers serves up five comedians for the price of one, with household names including Tom Davis and Suzi Ruffell joining the bill for a festive night of comedy guaranteed to bring some seasonal cheer.
Love live music? From legendary performers to innovative concert experiences, B:Music’s winter season brings an outstanding line-up of live music to Town Hall and Symphony Hall. Jools Holland and His Rhythm & Blues Orchestra return for an evening of hits spanning his illustrious career (20-21 November). Expect timeless classics, irresistible rhythms and plenty to get audiences on their feet, alongside the sensational ‘Queen of Boogie Woogie’ Ruby Turner and powerhouse vocalists Louise Marshall, Roachford, and Sumudu Jayatilaka.
Celebrating the centenary of iconic saxophonist John Coltrane’s birth, Coltrane 100: Both Directions at Once (6 November) brings together an all-star line-up of musicians from diverse backgrounds to honour one of jazz’s most influential artists. Blending fresh interpretations of Coltrane’s classic repertoire with original compositions inspired by his legacy, the concert celebrates the creativity and spirituality that have inspired generations of musicians.
Tony Hadley brings The Christmas Big Band Tour to Symphony Hall (19 November), delivering an evening of timeless classics from the worlds of swing and crooning. The iconic voice of Spandau Ballet puts his own distinctive spin on songs made famous by legends including Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, and Elvis Presley. Combining his unmistakable vocals with natural charm, effortless showmanship and a gift for storytelling, Hadley promises a festive evening of big-band glamour and musical nostalgia.
Rounding off the year, The Music of Zimmer vs. Williams (30 December) celebrates two of cinema’s greatest composers in an epic musical showdown. The London Concert Orchestra, conducted by Anthony Inglis, brings the legendary scores of Hans Zimmer and John Williams to life in a spectacular performance by a 70-piece orchestra. From Zimmer’s immersive soundscapes to Williams’ unforgettable themes, audiences can relive the drama, emotion and excitement of some of the most iconic film soundtracks ever written.
Looking for family fun? Bring the whole family to Town Hall and Symphony Hall this winter for unforgettable adventures filled with music, magic and plenty of laughter. Little ones and their grown-ups can embark on an autumnal adventure with the B’Opera Interactive Concert: Pumpkin Parade in the Jennifer Blackwell Performance Space at Symphony Hall (1 November). Designed for children aged 0–5, with older siblings very welcome, this interactive concert brings the magic of autumn to life through beautiful live classical music, dancing pumpkins, playful woodland creatures and musical falling leaves. Little explorers can jump in puddles, encounter curious creatures and discover the sounds, colours and rhythms of the season, with plenty of opportunities to sing, dance, move and join the parade. Dressing up is welcome, but entirely optional! B’Opera’s inclusive, immersive and relaxed performances invite children to enjoy the music in their own way, whether that means joining in, exploring, dancing or simply listening quietly. There’s no expectation to sit still, making it a wonderful first concert experience for the youngest music lovers.
For a very different kind of family adventure, get ready for a poop-tastic rock show as The Dinosaur That Pooped A Rock Show stomps onto the Town Hall stage (8 November). Based on the number one bestselling books by Tom Fletcher and Dougie Poynter, this hilarious stage adaptation features brand-new songs by the duo, plenty of laughs and, of course, a whole lot of poo! A fun-filled theatrical treat guaranteed to delight dinosaur fans of all ages.
Curious minds, take note! This winter, B:Music welcomes fascinating speakers to its stages, offering audiences a chance to hear extraordinary stories, gain fresh perspectives and explore the personalities behind the headlines. Michael Portillo takes to the Symphony Hall stage (18 November) to share funny, insightful and poignant stories from his remarkably varied life. The son of a refugee, Portillo rose to become one of Britain’s leading politicians before reinventing himself as one of the nation’s best-loved broadcasters. His political career saw him serve under Margaret Thatcher, stand for the Conservative Party leadership and lose his parliamentary seat in one of British politics’ most memorable moments. Since then, he has captivated millions with his television adventures on the world’s great railways, alongside his trademark wit and lively exchanges with fellow broadcasters and political figures.
Acclaimed journalist John Simpson CBE brings The Leaders & Lunatics Tour to Town Hall, offering a bold and thought-provoking exploration of leadership and the fine line between inspiration and tyranny (22 November). Drawing on nearly 60 years of unparalleled access to world leaders, Simpson examines the personalities who have shaped modern history. From controversial figures including Putin, Assad, Saddam Hussein, Gaddafi and Trump to influential leaders such as Gorbachev, Mandela, Havel and Zelensky, he explores their defining characteristics, unexpected quirks and enduring legacies.
Other highlights of B:Music’s Winter 2026/27 season include The Amy Winehouse Band (6 November), who continue to celebrate Amy’s extraordinary musical legacy, bringing her much-loved catalogue to audiences around the world and introducing new generations to her timeless songs through live performance. Pop legends Bay City Rollers (12 November) return with the hits that made them a global sensation in the 1970s, including Bye Bye Baby, Saturday Night and Shang-a-Lang. Half a century on, original member Stuart ‘Woody’ Wood continues to fly the tartan flag, joined by an energetic new line-up to keep the band’s unmistakable sound alive. Meanwhile, Boyzlife (12 November), featuring Boyzone’s Keith Duffy and Westlife’s Brian McFadden, bring together the biggest hits from two of the most successful boybands of the 1990s and 2000s. With a combined 55 million records sold and more than 20 number-one singles between them, the supergroup promises a nostalgic celebration of the songs that defined a generation.
To see the full programme and to book tickets, visit www.bmusic.co.uk