31 Reasons To Visit Coventry This Summer
We love Coventry, we’re born and bred Coventrians and we’re proud to play a part in all that our amazing city has to offer.
Back in 2017, Coventry was voted as City of Culture 2021, awarded for the strength of our city’s diversity, its youthfulness and the opportunities that being so centrally located bring.
For a whole year, Coventry will celebrate our city with events, music, dance, theatre, and large-scale spectacle. This summer is an extra special time to visit Coventry’ whether you’re in the mood for food, drink, days out, retail therapy, cultural visits or art exhibitions.
There is so much to look forward to this summer in Coventry city centre, so we’re here to help you plan your days out with the kids, book your tickets to new and exciting shows and get ready for the exhibitions on display across the city.
1. Coventry Cathedral
Year in, year out, the cathedral hosts a range of events, this year, the ruins will be filled with plenty to get involved in, including:
May 17th – October 18th
Lunchtime Organ Music, every day with Colin Druce – boasting 5,000 pipes, the Cathedral’s magnificent organ will play throughout lunchtime from 12:30-1pm with emerging and world-renowned organists on the keys, making it a perfect stop along the way on your day out in Coventry.
Summer screens is also featured at Coventry Cathedral this year if you fancy sitting back and relaxing with snacks aplenty for a cinematic masterpiece: Top Gun, In The Heights and The Greatest Showman. The summer screens website holds all the details of each film, time and how to book.
Take a look at future events here.
2. The Belgrade Theatre
The Belgrade Theatre doesn’t just offer theatre performances, like Miss Julie an original play by August Strindberg on across the 8th-10th July. There are also musical delights on offer this summer in the form of many wonderful shows; The Best of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons (22nd July), a spectacular high-pitched celebration of timeless music, Crazy Little Thing Called Queen, a dynamic tribute to the world’s greatest rock band. Or, see how the Belgrade Theatre operates followed by afternoon tea in the brand-new café! There is so much on offer from the Theatre this year, so take your pick!
3. Coventry 2021 AR Trail
6th June – 6th September
On your ventures across the city, you can take part in an augmented reality trail app and visit the following locations to find one of the markers and experience the digital installations along the way- Broadgate, The Bull Yard, The Belgrade Theatre, Coventry Transport Museum and Coventry Cathedral are all a part of the journey, so find the spots and see the digital installations come to life through your screen. Just download the app to get started!
4. Summer of Pride
Coventry Pride returns with their annual Pride festival, and this year the theme is Pride and Joy. The main Pride day will take place on Sunday 8th August across a number of city-centre venues including a fantastic takeover. On Saturday 7th August there will be a series of talks and arts events for those who want to dip their toe in ahead of the Sunday.
5. Classically Queer
In conjunction with the Summer of Pride, for the month of Harmony join Coventry Pride in the Cathedral ruins for a special performance of classical and contemporary music, celebrating the best of LGBTQI+ musicians in the region. Inspired by the story of gay composer, Benjamin Britten, who wrote the War Requiem op.66 for the consecration of the new Cathedral in 1962, this new Queer music ensemble will play together in Coventry for the first time ever.
6. Coventry Transport Museum
17th July – 31st October
Coventry and Warwickshire’s world-leading transport innovation will be showcased during a year of celebration and activities. ‘Future Moves’ will feature a diverse range of exhibits that highlight the region’s pioneering work in transport innovation – from autonomous vehicles to one person submarines. Featuring a vast display of exhibitions to tell the stories of the objects on display by envisioning how future cities may look and exploring how pioneering developments in transport and technology could affect the environment and the way we live.
7. MotoFest Weekends
17th July – 8th August
Four weekends of non-stop cultural celebration and motoring madness. Free family fun in the UK’s Motor City. Discover how Coventry’s heritage is shaping the city’s future.
It brings together thousands, young and old, to celebrate the industry that moves us. Thrilling motorsport, heritage displays, global street food, live music and more: MotoFest is the one summer party invite that’s just too good to turn down.
8. Assembly Festival Hub
July-September
Open throughout the summer, the Assembly festival Hub Garden – a brand new performance space – will be home to four extraordinary performance spaces, a mouth-watering selection of local food makers, and will serve as a social hub for those wishing to make the most of their visit to the UK’s City of Culture. The Garden offers a long-awaited opportunity for artists to get back on stage and for audiences the chance to experience the magic of live performance again. The first shows in an exciting programme of comedy, circus, cabaret, children’s shows, and more are now on sale.
9. Circolumbia
July 2nd – 19th September
One of the world’s leading circus companies from Bogota brings you extraordinary feats and seamless acts, all performed with breath taking skill. The stunning show will transport you to the streets of Colombia’s capital city in a succession of snapshots of actions and reactions, dreams and wills, courage and risks. It’s “Circus like you have never seen or heard before” at the Assembly Festival Hub.
10. Dinosaur World Live
15th July – 1st August
Don’t miss this entertaining and mind-expanding jurassic adventure, direct from the West End, giving the family an amazing day out in Coventry at the Assembly Festival Hub, meeting a host of impressive creatures, including every child’s favourite flesh-eating giant, the Tyrannosaurus Rex, a Triceratops, Giraffatitan, Microraptor and Segnosaurus!
11. Jungle Ride at West Orchard
22nd July – 5th September
West Orchards have announced the new 4D VR Experience, The Jungle Ride, a virtual reality experience for all the family. The new addition to the shopping centre can be found on the 3rd floor and once aboard you’ll be seamlessly transported into the virtual boat house using HD VR headsets. Tilting forwards, backwards and side to side, the boat’s movements have been specially designed to mirror those of the full 360 degree experience, creating a truly spectacular journey for all the family!
12. The Wave
The Wave is a UK award-winning, indoor waterpark making a splash in the heart of Coventry! From high-speed slides and a fun-packed splash zone, to the exhilarating Wave Pool and relaxing Lazy River, there’s something for all ages to enjoy.
You’ll find six epic slides that are precision-engineered to fill the thrill seekers with excitement, from The Torrent’s terrifying, disappearing floors to The Cascade’s pool plunging and The Rapids’ super speed. Each level of fun is connected via a spiralling ramp to ensure all ages and abilities can access the fun.
13. Ballroom Climbing Wall
Fancy taking up a new hobby or just fancy something different to do in Coventry? The Ballroom have dedicated the centre to bouldering, a form of low to the ground climbing that tests you mentally as well as physically, all while having fun with your friends!
Whatever your current level of climbing, from absolute beginner to seasoned pro, the climbing wall will have something for you with over 200 bouldering routes to choose from!
14. Escape Reality
Escape Reality is a game played in real life. You and your team have just 60 minutes to escape one of our uber-real rooms.
You’ll come as friends but leave as heroes as you battle against time to solve puzzles, overcome challenges and defeat your doubts.
15. Coventry HMV Empire
The all-new HMV Empire Coventry is a multi-use venue hosting National & International live music acts, DJs & club events in Coventry City Centre.
The venue will also be host to comedy nights with several high calibre names already available to book.
Find all the latest events and tickets here.
16. Laser Quest
Laser Quest is situated in Watch Close just off Medieval Spon Street. You can play Laser Quest, Adventure Golf or try your luck Clue HQ the exhilarating escape from experience.
If you’re looking for somewhere to host a birthday party, they’ve got you covered.
17. Sensory Days at The Herbert Art Gallery
15th – 16th July
Let your little ones imagination soar as they play in the interactive creative space at The Herbert. Using sensory materials to create fun and exciting activities for children to use and take their play experience in any direction that they want to, helping to improve motor skill development, gross motor skills, hand-eye coordination, problem solving and social interaction, it’s a win for all who attend!
18. FarGo Events, Shops and Escape Rooms
Friday Lates, Fargo’s food festival, Boudica Festival presents Glenn, Simply Sustainable, Summer Makers Market, Impromptu Shakespeare and the Comedy Gala are all featuring at the Fargo Village this summer, you can’t say there isn’t something for you when there is so much on in the Fargo diary!
All of this will sit alongside the fantastic array of businesses from Fantayzia Design to Twisted Barrel, and Sgt Bilko’s Vintage Emporium to Escape Live.
19. The Nook Urban Retreat
A haven of calm and wellness for busy modern lives. Their focus is to encourage you to take time for yourself regularly and to make yourself a priority.
The Studio is the first of its kind in Coventry. Join them for yoga and pilates classes or pop in for a weekend workshop. Our beautiful rooms are also available to hire; the larger Willow & Rosewood and the cosy Juniper & Sage.
Step out feeling calm and relaxed.
20. The Telegraph Hotel
Throughout Summer
The recent conversion of the iconic Telegraph Building, which was home to the city’s newspaper for over 50 years, to The Telegraph Hotel has breathed new life into the building. Offering a chic and glamourous interior and guest rooms, The Forme & Chase restaurant, bar and lounge brings back some authentic 1950s glamour. Watch the sun set over the Belgrade Plaza, the Coventry skyline glow and the city’s people and culture on display from the new Generators Rooftop Bar and it’s stylish printworks-industrial theme. Great for a night out or a stay-cation treat.
21. Coventry Guides and Trails
Coventry BID have created a whole range of maps and guides to showcase the food and drink offering in the city. There’s a cocktail trail, a coffee map, a general food and drink map, ale trail and a ‘grab and go’ guide. Whether you’re local or visiting, they give you all you need to know about food and drink in Coventry city centre.
22. New Eateries in the City Centre
We’ve seen some great new additions to the city centre. Five Guys has recently opened in Cathedral Lanes, you won’t be disappointed, all their fries come with an extra scoop in your bag.
You’ll find American comfort food, including Burgers and Hotdogs at 7 Bone Burger on Hay Lane.
Rum, Reggae, Jerk. Caribbean good times are on the way as we welcome Turtle Bay to Coventry.
23. 2 Tone: Lives & Legacies
28th May – 12th September
The 2 Tone sound originated in Coventry’s thriving music scene of the 1970s and the name derives from the legendary 2 Tone record label founded in 1979 by Jerry Dammers of The Specials, referencing a desire to transcend and defuse racial tensions in Britain at that time.
The exhibition at The Herbert will explore the formation of the record label and examine its philosophy, political and social message, design and impact on the music charts of the day. It highlights the bands that were part of the label, focussing on The Specials, The Selecter and other ska-influenced bands such as Madness, The Beat and The Bodysnatchers.
It will look at 2 Tone’s continuing influence on music, fashion, politics and culture. It will include interviews and quotes from original band members and 3rd wave bands from around the world, famous fans and 2 Tone fanatics. It will also bring the story up to date – with band members touring nationally and internationally.
The exhibition will feature fashion items and memorabilia, including the iconic 2 Tone suit, Roddy Radiation’s pork pie hat, Fred Perry polo shirt and the Harrington jacket.
24. Choir of Man
July 1st – 19th September
‘Imagine the most incredible pub gig you’ve been to, then multiply it by ten, and you’ll still be nowhere near the fun that this show exudes throughout’ – Need we say any more? From the creative minds of Nic Doodson and Andrew Kay, The Choir of Man will feature pub tunes, folk, rock and Broadway numbers with world-class tappers, singers and multi-instrumentalists for a joyous and uplifting show for all ages. Visit Coventry at the Assembly Festival Hub, grab a drink and join in!
25. Skydome
Drink. Eat. Workout. Dance. Relax.
The Skydome has lots on offer. Planet Ice is a 4000 capacity multi-purpose Ice Rink and Event Arena, great for a fun filled family day out. When you’ve finished ice-skating you can head to the Odeon cinema and catch the latest films in stunning 3D.
Don’t forget Pure Gym, JJ’s, Wetherspoon and the Genting Casino are all under one roof with a 24 hour 779 space car park.
26. West Midlands Police Museum
West Midlands Police Museum – A new pop-up museum on Hertford Street in Coventry City Centre for City of Culture year. Open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10am to 3pm. No booking is required.
27. Instaclique
The Midlands first selfie studio. Different themed booths and back drops for you to take selfie’s and TikTok videos to jazz up your social media or just have fun. Find them on Instagram and in the City Arcade.
28. Terry Hall Presents Home Sessions
29th July – 1st August
The legendary frontman of The Specials returns to Coventry this Summer for a four-day festival of live music, DJ sets, film and spoken word. Musician, producer, songwriter, producer and collaborator, Terry Hall is a pioneering figure of contemporary culture. The unique festival, Home Sessions, will be turning Coventry city centre into a festival campus, shining a light on the rich past and present of the booming Coventry music scene.
29. Coventry Bienniel 2021: Hyper-Possible
8th October 2021 – 6th February 2022
Coventry Biennial returns to Herbert Art Gallery & Museum to present a significant group exhibition of newly commissioned projects and artworks from studios and galleries, as well as local and national collections. HYPER-POSSIBLE will unfold over 7 exhibition venues across Coventry and Warwickshire from 8 October 2021 until 23 January 2022, with the major exhibition at Herbert Art Gallery & Museum.
30. In Paint We Trust & The Show Windows
Throughout Summer
Since May this year, the people and visitors of Coventry will have seen many new and exciting artworks appearing across the city, both in the city centre and in neighbourhoods around the area, appearing in unique spaces in this festival of art; In Paint We Trust Artists have been given opportunities to animate along pathways and walls giving audiences a chance to explore the amazing pieces up close, telling stories that are important to the city, to spark conversation and inspire all that come to view the artworks.
31. Turner Prize 2021
29th September 2021 – 12th January 2022
The Turner Prize will be presented at Herbert Art Gallery and Museum in Coventry as part of the UK City of Culture 2021 celebrations.
The exhibition of the Prize’s four shortlisted artists will be presented from 29 September 2021 to 12 January 2022 with the announcement of the winner on 1 December 2021.
This is the first time a Turner Prize jury has selected a shortlist consisting entirely of artist collectives. All the nominees work closely and continuously with communities across the breadth of the UK to inspire social change through art.
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