Coventry City of Culture: Final events announced

They'll take place over four weekends in May

Author: Matt MaddrenPublished 23rd Mar 2022
Last updated 23rd Mar 2022

Plans for the final month of Coventry's year as UK City of Culture have been revealed.

Multiple events will take place across the four weekends in May.

The place taking over the title for 2025 will also be announced late in the month.

Cultural venues across the city are set to open their doors to welcome visitors to enjoy a range of workshops and activities.

Coventry residents and visitors alike will be welcomed into buildings to visit somewhere new and explore new parts of the city.

Events also include the opening of The Reel Store. The UK’s first permanent immersive digital art gallery, situated in the centre of Coventry.

On Saturday the 14th May, Coventry’s City Centre will be taken over by This is the City, a carnival-style spectacular parade featuring just some of the City of Culture’s greatest hits from the last 12 months as thousands of people and school children take to the streets to celebrate - a party for, and by, the people.

Chenine Bhathena, Creative Director of the Coventry City of Culture Trust, said:

“Our May weekends are a time for people across the country to come together to experience everything Coventry has to offer as our tenure as City of Culture comes to an end.

"From a ground-breaking 5G technology drone show, to a celebration and commitment to the wildlife around us; access to the best cultural institutions Coventry has to offer; to a carnival parade through the city celebrating our City of Culture programme; an aerial circus show like no other, to one of the UK’s biggest live music events, there really is something for everybody.

"May will be a time for reflection and celebration, as we make new commitments and move forward as a city where art and culture will forever be centre stage.”

Arts Minister Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay said:

"Coventry has been an absolutely fantastic UK City of Culture 2021, offering something for everyone across the city and more widely and helping increase access to the arts.

"The city will end its tenure in style and I encourage people to get involved in what will be four brilliant final weekends."

Cllr George Duggins, Leader of Coventry City Council, said:

“Our year as UK City of Culture has changed our city, and these closing events will be a great way to celebrate all that has been achieved and to finish our year in style.

“However, it is not just about celebrating what has gone, it is about looking forward. We always said we wanted our year to build a legacy for the future and to make arts and culture accessible to everyone in Coventry.

“Our year may be coming to a close, but it has created something special for all of us and although these may be the closing events, they are really just the latest in an exciting line that will keep culture, heritage and the arts at the centre of Coventry life.

“I hope people go along and enjoy them and help to end our year as UK City of Culture in style.”

Tickets for ticketed events across the first three weekends will go on-sale on https://coventry2021.co.uk/