Walsall is set for a vibrant May 2026, with an exciting programme of live music, exhibitions, creative workshops and cultural events taking place across the borough. From major tribute concerts at Walsall Arena and Arts Centre to inspiring exhibitions at The New Art Gallery Walsall, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this spring.
FotoFest: Visual Expo
Taking place on Saturday 9 May 2026 FotoFest Visual Expo will be held at The Crossing at St Pauls. On Sunday 10 May there will be Portfolio Reviews with further exhibitions at The New Art Gallery Walsall forming part of a wider two-day photography celebration.
Visitors can explore an exciting programme of exhibitions, keynote talks, workshops and demonstrations, alongside a visual expo featuring some of the biggest names in photography and imaging technology.
The New Art Gallery Walsall
Gallery Square, Walsall WS2 8LG
Opening times: Tuesday–Saturday 10am-4.30pm | Sunday 11am-4pm | Closed Mondays and Bank Holidays.
Jaskirt Dhaliwal-Boora: Fractured Landscapes and how we heal*
Throughout May – Free admission
This exhibition focuses on the role that nature and creativity can play in healing from trauma, particularly in the context of male violence and abuse against women and girls (VAWG). New photographic work by Jaskirt Dhaliwal-Boora will feature alongside works created by women from four refuges across the country, each working with a lead artist to inspire and encourage them.
*The project has been supported by an Arts Council England Project Grant with further support from Open Eye Gallery, Photo Fringe and Peter Marlow Foundation.
Billy Dosanjh: Paths You Walk
Throughout May – Free admission
Billy Dosanjh’s artistic practice uncovers silenced histories of migration, displacement, and industrial exploitation and is rooted in his upbringing and the de-industrialised landscapes of the Black Country.
Reimagining Industrial Migratory Stories CIC received a National Lottery Heritage Fund grant for an exciting project, Paths You Walk, based in Walsall. Billy Dosanjh has produced a series of cinematic moving-image works and heritage-based photographs reimagining local South Asian narratives with participants and organisations from the Walsall community.
Sunday Art Club
12pm-3pm. Free admission, drop-in sessions. Ages four years old and above.
Weekly art club for children and young people. Meet artists and creatives, learn to paint, print, sculpt, craft and more!
- 3 May: Simple Stitched Flowers
- 10 May: Pointilist Landscapes
- 17 May: Positive Printed Posters
- 24 May: Petal Prints
- 31 May: Blow Painting
Artists’ Studio
Stuart Whipps: The Formation of the Universe
5 May – 5 July 2026
Stuart Whipps is a Birmingham-based artist who makes photography, films, and installations that explore wide-ranging subjects, from early sign language and the 1970s British car industry to the technology of medical imaging.
Walk and Draw
Every second Saturday of each month May 9, 11am-12.30pm. Free, booking essential.
Make speedy sketches of artworks in the Collections and temporary exhibitions, the Gallery’s architecture, the magnificent views from the Gallery’s windows, and the local area, including the wildlife along the canal, public sculptures and historical buildings along the high street. The focus will vary each month, therefore attendees are welcome to book onto all sessions, but this is not necessary.
Stitchety Workshops with artist Kate Tilley
The first Wednesday of every month from Thursday 7 May – Applique motifs, 10am-12pm. Tickets £5 / £4.50 concs.
Learn techniques in sewing, knitting, crochet and embroidery in this new, informal, monthly workshop for adults.
Local & Community History Month May
A month of events and promotions to celebrate our local heritage featuring talks, archive pop-ups and treasure from the archives.
Saturday 2 May, Through Time an illustrated talk by Alison Maxam of the Butts local history group at Walsall Archives, Lichfield Street Hub.
Wednesday 20 May, The Grove Colliery Disaster a short talk by Walsall Council Archivist, Ian Gray at Brownhills Library.
Admission is free but booking essential contact Walsall archives to book your place LocalHistoryCentre@walsall.gov.uk(opens in new tab).
Archive pop ups
Drop in for a chat with Walsall Council Archivist, lan Gray, explore the history of our borough. No booking required – just pop in! Wednesday 20 may at Brownhills library 10am-2pm and Tuesday 26 May Bloxwich Library 10am – 12pm.
What’s on at Walsall Parks
Free Park Tennis – Walsall
Whether you’re picking up a racket for the first time or returning to the game, these fun and friendly sessions are the perfect way to meet new people, improve your tennis skills and enjoy a full-body workout.
Delivered as part of Barclays Free Park Tennis, these one-hour sessions are designed to make tennis accessible to everyone – regardless of age, background or experience.
| Walsall Arboretum | Willenhall Memorial Park |
| Broadway North, Walsall
WS1 2QB |
Pinson Road, Willenhall
WV13 2PL |
| Sunday 3 May
10am-11am |
sunday 10 May
10am-11am |
Pool Programme
At Oak Park Active Living Centre, families can enjoy floats fun sessions on Wednesday and Fridays (2pm- 3.30pm, alongside inflatable fun sessions featuring the “Exterminator” assault course on Tuesdays, Thursdays.
Bloxwich Active Living Centre will also be hosting Float fun sessions on Monday 25 May, 1.45-3.15pm and Friday 29 May, 2-3.30pm and inflatable fun sessions featuring the “Exterminator” assault course on Tuesdays, Thursdays 2-3.30pm.
Big Bounce returns
The ever-popular Big Bounce inflatable sessions are back for two special dates this Easter:
- Friday 25 May at Oak Park Active Living Centre
- Friday 29 May at Bloxwich Active Living Centre
Places must be booked in advance at bigbounceevents.co.uk/tickets.
Roller skating fun
Families can enjoy roller skating sessions across the holiday period:
- Oak Park Active Living Centre: Wednesdays 27 May (1.30pm–3.30pm)
- Bloxwich Active Living Centre: Thursday 28 May (10am–12pm) )
Sessions are suitable for all abilities. Tickets are £6.90 per person. Skate hire is available for £2 (cash only).
Walsall Arena
Hawbush Road, Leamore, Walsall WS3 1AG. Box Office: 0300 555 2898 (Monday – Friday, 10am–2pm). www.walsallarena.com(opens in new tab)
Sing The Musicals
Sat 2 May, 7.30pm, tickets from £28
DIRECT FROM LONDON’S WEST END
Experience the first national tour of the greatest musicals of all time — performed by a sensational live band, dynamic character singers, and a giant screen with sing-along lyrics. This is the must-see show of 2025/26!
Nashville Live
Thurs 7 May, 7.30pm, tickets from £28
Europe’s No.1 multi-award-winning show Nashville Live is heading to Walsall for a fantastic night of toe-tapping classic country!
The upcoming tour will showcase highly acclaimed tributes to Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Alan Jackson, Tammy Wynette and Kenny Rogers and new tributes to icons Laney Wilson, Shania Twain, The Chicks, Josh Turner and the new kid on the block Luke Combs with countless other well-known singalong anthems in this must-see musical extravaganza that sings you through the decades right up to the present day performing 40 timeless hit songs.
Majesty – A Tribute to Queen
Fri 8 May, 7.30pm, tickets from £35
Majesty are one of the UK’s most celebrated Queen tribute bands, led by Rob Lea – the critically acclaimed singer, musician, and actor who wowed millions on ITV’s Starstruck with his powerhouse performance as Freddie Mercury.
A Night To Remember
Sat 9 May, 7.30pm, tickets from £29.50
A Night To Remember: Motown Show takes you back in time to 1960s Detroit. Be prepared for a high-energy show, packed with the greatest Motown hits of all time.
Starring The Voice UK finalist Bizzi Dixon and backed by the soulful vocal dynamics of The Motown Divas, this musical celebration is sure to have you singing along and dancing in the aisles and the streets.
The Upbeat Beatles
Sat 16 May, 7.30pm, tickets from £29
“Get Back” to the swinging 60’s with ‘The Upbeat Beatles’ and relive those ‘Fab’ days and timeless songs!
Performing to sell out venues for over 20 years, ‘The Upbeat Beatles’ have more than earned their reputation as the finest tribute to the music of the Beatles.
P!NK LIVE ft. Vicky Jackson 2026
Fri 22 May, 7.30pm, tickets from £26.50
“Let’s get the party started” and join us for an incredible night with the world’s number one tribute to one of the best-selling female artists of all time.
This breath-taking and energetic production recreates performances from Pink’s live concert tours, featuring all of her greatest hits such as “So What,” “Perfect,” “Try,” “Just like a Pill,” and “Get The Party Started” among many others!
Kpop Fantasy
Sun 24 May, 5.00pm, tickets from £25
KPOP Fantasy is a high-energy theatrical celebration of the global phenomenon that is K-pop. Blending electrifying choreography with outstanding live vocals, this immersive stage show brings the spectacle, precision, and passion of K-pop to life in a thrilling theatre experience.
Dinotales: A Roarsome Dinosaur Adventure
Wed 27 May, 2pm, tickets from £17.50 & £66 (Family)
Calling all dinosaur rangers – Jurassic Rescue needs your help! There’s a baby Ankylosaurus that needs rescuing before The Doc gets his evil hands on it… Along the adventure you’ll meet Freya the dancing Raptor, Dylan the cheeky Dilophosaurus, Angie the Ankylosaurus, Scar the fearsome and Roxy the mighty T-Rex.
Holding Back The Years – The Ultimate Simply Red Tribute Experience
Sat 30 May, 7.30pm, tickets £26
With over 50 million albums sold worldwide and chart-topping hits including “Holding Back the Years,” “Stars,” “Fairground,” “Something Got Me Started,” “Money’s Too Tight to Mention,” and many others, Simply Red are undoubtedly one of the most iconic British bands of all time.
Fun For Little Ones – A Tribute to Ms. Rachel
Sun 31 May, 3.00pm, tickets from Adult £20.00, Child £17.50, Family Ticket (2 Adults & 2 Child) £70.00
