21 things to get excited about in Coventry for 2021

It’s never been a better time to fall back in love with Coventry, this year is full of community, engagement, and inspiration.

We’ve put together 21 things for you to sink your teeth into and get excited about in 2021.

1. Many businesses being allowed to reopen.

From Monday 12^th April many of our wonderful businesses across Coventry will finally reopen their doors and welcome back customers from not only the local area, but across the nation with more tourists expected this year.

2. The Belgrade Theatre opening with its redevelopment being finished.

The Belgrade Theatre has faced some impossibly difficult decisions throughout the current pandemic, which can’t have been easy. But luckily for us all, there’s no business-like show business, and we’ll be back in the best place to be entertained and inspired.

3. The new children’s play area in Bull Yard.

The £2 million redevelopment of the site, close to The Wave, has been designed by Studio Morison and is suitable for children of all ages and is accessible for children with mobility issues. The new play area opened late last year in December, but 2021 gives children the real opportunity to see everything the new addition to Coventry has to offer.

4. Hops d’Amour opening.

Well, there’s no need to introduce this delight, we think we speak for the entire population of England when we say we’re all excited about the pubs reopening. This new Micropub, Hops d’Amour, on Corporation Street is currently working hard to get ready for their opening in May.

5. Pepper Lane green wall and mural.

Matt Chu, an incredible artist from our wonderful city, responded to the Council’s calls for help in creating art pieces that would be stitched onto the city centre. With a piece entitled ‘At One with Cofa’s Tree’, which brings together elements of Coventry’s past, present and future being featured down Pepper Lane along with living walls being installed shortly it’s something that must be seen.

6. Unity Lawn at Coventry Cathedral.

Ready for spring, the Unity Lawn is undergoing a facelift with views of the cathedral and the ruins with Holy Trinity Church, St Mary’s Guildhall, Drapers Hall, and the council house all nearby. It’s an incredibly special area for local people and visitors coming to our city this year and a perfect place for relaxation and reflection.

7. Telegraph Hotel opening.

A brand new, exclusive hotel in the historic ex-premises of the Coventry Evening Telegraph newspaper is expected to open fully on the 17^th May. Offering penthouse suites, a stylish all-day restaurant, a large, flexible events space, and a rooftop bar overlooking Belgrade Square, this new hotel is a luxurious addition to Coventry.

8. Public Realm work on Upper Precinct/Market Way/Smithwood Way being completed.

Redevelopment works in Coventry city centre continued during lockdown last year; these changes will be completed in late spring 2021 and will bring some big changes to the city centre landscape. 

9. Dhillon’s Spire Bar.

Popular Coventry beer makers, Dhillon’s Brewery, have taken over the Christchurch Spire on New Union Street. After completing a refurbishment and putting their own signature on the space, it will be ready to open very soon.

10. Terry Hall Weekend.

Born and raised in Coventry and lead singer of the iconic Coventry band The Specials, as curator, Terry Hall will create a weekend that blends international legends with contemporary pioneers. The Festival will be one of the most unique experiences of 2021; it’s not something you want to miss.

11. The Walk coming through Coventry.

2021 brings with it The Walk – an international arts festival/endurance event. Little Amal will travel 8,000km, through 8 countries to focus awareness on the refugee crisis. She’ll be welcomed by hundreds of cultural events in cities, towns, and villages all along her route and of course Coventry will be taking part!

12. MotoFest

MotoFest is normally 3 days of non-stop cultural celebration and motoring madness but this year will span four weekends from 17^th July to 8^th August. That’s four weekends of free family fun in the UK’s Motor City, Summer 2021 will bring us all together to celebrate the industry that moves us. This is one summer party invite that’s just too good to turn down.

13. Mary’s Guildhall redevelopment.

The Guildhall redevelopment will deliver an all-year-round first-class offer to visitors, businesses, and the local community. It’s a significant building in the city’s history, and the improvements will protect and enhance the city’s heritage for all to enjoy.

14. The Herbert Art Gallery 2 Tone Exhibition.

Lives & Legacies is the first-ever major exhibition in the UK devoted to the 2 Tone music sensation – it will open on the 12^th May and run until 16^th September 2021. It will look at 2 Tone’s continuing influence on music, fashion, politics, and culture, and has been organised in partnership with The Coventry Music Museum.

15. The Empire opening.

The New Empire is currently under construction and promises to be a fantastic showpiece for Coventry located in the heart of the city centre. The Original Empire opened its doors in September 2015 and has hosted many national and international Live Music and Club events. This new edition to the live music scene in the city centre will be no different.

16. Drapers Hall opening.

The restoration and revival project of the long unused Drapers’ Hall, situated in the historic Coventry city centre, is nearly complete. This Grade II* Listed regency building, is truly exceptional. It is a remarkable survivor of both the war time bombing and post war redevelopment and uniquely perfect for events.

17. The Historic Coventry accommodation at Priory Row and the City Gates.

Three 15th century cottages sitting beside Holy Trinity Church at Priory Row will transform into four bespoke holiday cottages courtesy of Historic Coventry Trust. In addition, there will be two more holiday cottages within two of our city gates, which will be fully restored and adapted internally to create high quality accommodation, combining comfort with a heritage feel.

18. The Turner Prize coming to Coventry.

One of the best-known prizes for visual arts in the world, the Turner Prize, is coming to the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum as part of UK City of Culture 2021. Every other year, the Prize leaves Tate Britain and is presented at a venue outside London. In Spring, the four shortlisted artists will be released, who will present new work at the Herbert later in 2021.

19. The UK Asian Film Festival.

In June this year, we will be welcoming the longest running South-Asian film festival to the Belgrade Theatre. Bringing people together to enjoy electrifying untold stories, bold new cinema, and learn from award-winning filmmakers through an eclectic mix of masterclasses and conversations.

20. Coventry Biennial.

The third Coventry Biennial will take place from October 2021 until January 2022 across Coventry and Warwickshire in a wide range of artistic, heritage, business, and community locations. Titled Hyper-Possible, referencing the radical nature of Coventry’s history, the Biennial have been working with local galleries, museums, curators, and communities to create an exciting event.

21. Coventry Food Festival.

From the 23rd to 25th July we will bring back the amazingly delicious Coventry Food Festival, bringing artisan food and drinks vendors together to serve cuisine from all over the world. It’s a weekend celebrating culture and everything that Coventry has to offer in one of the best ways we know how, through the stomach!