Free February Half Term 2026 Activities in Birmingham and Beyond
Families across Birmingham and the surrounding regions can look forward to an exciting array of free activities during the February half term in 2026. Numerous venues, including Bullring, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Merry Hill, Birmingham Hippodrome, Arcadian, Touchwood, and the Wyre Forest, are hosting events that require no admission fees. Additionally, there are special offers such as kids-go-free tickets for certain attractions. To ensure a smooth experience, it is advisable to book in advance where necessary and verify timings.
Smethwick Puppetry Festival Returns
The Smethwick Puppetry Festival makes a welcome return this February half-term, featuring a Pay What You Can model for all events. Running from February 14 to 22, the festival offers a diverse programme of puppet shows for children, canal-inspired music, and an exhibition showcasing ‘crankie’ storytelling devices. Events will take place in various community venues across Smethwick and Bearwood, with themes ranging from singing snails to starry skies and maritime adventures. Adults can also participate in a puppet-making workshop, while an evening of songs and stories by the canals will be presented by Three Idle Women. Further details and ticket bookings are available through the Black Country Touring website.
Room on the Broom Trail at Wyre Forest
A new Room on the Broom Trail has been launched at Forestry England Wyre Forest near Kidderminster, offering free exploration for families. This trail brings the beloved story by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler to life, encouraging participants to help Witch locate her lost items and gather magical ingredients for a spell. Along the route, various stops provide engaging activities and fun facts for children. The trail will remain in place throughout 2026 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the book.
Art Trail at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery
Families are invited to experience artwork in innovative ways through a free spotter trail at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery in Chamberlain Square. Titled Art School... in a Trail!, this interactive experience includes creative missions at each stop, designed to foster new perspectives on the museum’s collections. Participants can complete an activity sheet to earn an Art School sticker and enter a drawing competition. Aimed at children aged nine and above, this drop-in event runs from February 14 to 22.
Chinese New Year Celebrations in Birmingham
Birmingham’s Chinese New Year celebrations offer a free-packed programme featuring traditional and contemporary music, dance, and theatre performances. From Tuesday, February 17 to Sunday, February 22, Hippodrome Square in Southside will host market stalls, funfair rides, and family-friendly activities daily. The main festival celebration on February 22 will include a traditional lion procession across Hippodrome Square and Chinatown.
Lunar Celebration at Touchwood Solihull
Continuing the Chinese New Year theme, Touchwood shopping centre in Solihull welcomes the Year of the Horse with a vibrant community celebration. Visitors can enjoy Mahjong workshops, face painting, calligraphy, and a lion dance parade, all organised in partnership with the local Hong Kong community. This free drop-in event takes place on Saturday, February 21.
Birmingham Light Festival
The Birmingham Light Festival returns to the city centre, with free attendance available on the weekend schools break up. From Thursday, February 12 to Sunday, February 15, explore various city areas to witness twinkling artworks, such as a field of fireflies in St Paul’s Square, fire performances at Bullring, and a giant glittering discoball on the canals.
Goo HQ at Merry Hill
Merry Hill shopping centre hosts a free slime lab for families during half term. Led by expert Goo-ologist Professor Goo, Goo HQ offers an interactive slime-making adventure using child-safe, non-toxic ingredients. Suitable for all ages and abilities, children can take home their own pot of goo. Sessions run daily from Monday, February 16 to Friday, February 20, from 11am to 4pm, with the first session each day being SEN friendly. While pre-bookings are sold out, cancellation spots or limited walk-in spaces may be available.
Shrewsbury Prison Kids Go Free Offer
Shrewsbury Prison, now an attraction blending history and mystery, offers kids-go-free tickets during February half term. Visitors can walk the landings, explore old cells, and learn about prison life. Additionally, children eat free in the prison restaurant with the purchase of an adult meal. Normally priced at £10 for children and £15 for adults for self-guided tours, this offer provides significant savings. The prison is easily accessible by train from Birmingham, and nearby Wyle Cop offers Britain’s longest stretch of independent shops for further exploration.
