2026 is set to be a busy year for two of our biggest music venues!This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
The stage at the BP Pulse Live arena(Image: BirminghamLive)
It’s time to welcome in the new year, with 2026 here and prompting many to start planning for the year ahead. While some might be booking holidays or planning for big family events, others might be looking ahead to music shows coming to the city.
Two of the city’s biggest music venues, bp pulse LIVE (formerly Resorts World Arena) and the Utilita Arena have a calendar packed full of events from January through to December 2026 – with more expected to be announced throughout the year.
2025 was a big year for the arenas, welcoming performers such as Ricky Gervais, Sabrina Carpenter, Kylie Minogue, Lewis Capaldi and Katy Perry to name a few. But who can we expect to see in 2026?
Read more: 13 unmissable musicals and theatre shows coming to Birmingham in 2026
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Here are 20 of the biggest gigs and shows coming to Birmingham’s bp pulse LIVE and Utilita Arena in 2026.
Strictly Come Dancing Live
Friday, January 23 to Sunday, January 25 – Utilita Arena Birmingham
Not exactly music, but a huge show for Birmingham as always. Joining the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour are Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and Karen Hauer, La Voix and Aljaž Škorjanec, Ellie Goldstein and Vito Coppola, Vicky Pattison and Kai Widdrington, George Clarke and Alexis Warr, Lewis Cope and Katya Jones, and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Lauren Oakley. And, as a special treat for Strictly fans, 2023 series finalist Layton Williams will make a sensational return to the dance floor with Nikita Kuzmin.
You can still buy tickets here.
Jason Derulo
Friday, January 30 – Utilita Arena Birmingham
R&B pop singer and TikTok star Jason Derulo returns to Birmingham in January on The Last Dance World Tour. With over 250 million singles sold and tens of billions of streams, his catalogue includes platinum and multiplatinum songs like Talk Dirty [feat. 2 Chainz], Wiggle, Swalla, and Savage Love.
You can still buy tickets here.
Florence and the Machine
Sunday, February 8 – bp pulse LIVE
Florence and the Machine fans can see the band in February.(Image: GETTY)
Florence and the Machine announced a UK and EU tour to celebrate the release of her sixth studio album, Everybody Scream. The new album explores the themes of healing, mysticism and mortality.
You can still get tickets here.
Gorillaz
Sunday, March 22 – bp pulse LIVE
Created by musician Damon Albarn and artist Jamie Hewlett, Gorillaz is singer 2D, bassist Murdoc Niccals, drummer Russel Hobbs and Japanese guitar prodigy Noodle. The BRIT and Grammy-winning virtual band formed following a collision of mishaps, meetings and pure luck to blow up a pre-digital world with their colourful backstory and ground-breaking virtual ways.
You can still get tickets here.
The Prodigy
Saturday, April 18 – Utilita Arena Birmingham
The legendary Electronic Punks return to the UK in April with special guest Carl Cox. They reunite for a tour of straight up ruckus that sees The Prodigy blast through their headline set, performing tracks from across their seven UK number one albums, along with Carl Cox returning to his genre breaking three deck vinyl setup for a two hour set from doors each night.
You can still get tickets here.
Yungblud
Thursday, April 23 – Utilita Arena Birmingham
Yungblud on stage at Black Sabbath’s Back to the Beginning gig at Villa Park Stadium(Image: KAZUYO HORIE / Ross Halfin)
The tour will mark Yungblud’s first UK appearance following the summer’s Bludfest and his appearance at Ozzy Osbourne’s Back to the Beginning show at Villa Park. Yungblud has two UK number one albums, six billion global Spotify streams and back-to-back entries in the Billboard Top 100.
You can still get tickets here.
Louis Tomlinson
Saturday, April 25 – Utilita Arena Birmingham
Louis Tomlinson announced his How Did We Get Here? World Tour in support of his third studio album. After being one fifth of One Direction, when the band went on hiatus in 2015, Tomlinson launched a hugely successful solo career – releasing his debut single Just Hold On in 2016.
You can still get tickets here.
Doja Cat
Tuesday, May 26 – Utilita Arena Birmingham
GRAMMY Award-winning global superstar Doja Cat is set to take over Utilita Arena Birmingham in 2026 as part of her Tour Ma Vie Tour. The tour celebrates her fifth studio album, Vie, featuring hits like Jealous Type and the new single Gorgeous.
You can still get tickets here.
Les Misérables The Arena Concert
Thursday, June 11, to Sunday, June 14 – Utilita Arena Birmingham
Following its critically acclaimed premiere in 2024, Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Boublil and Schönberg’s Les Misérables: The Arena Concert Spectacular will make a triumphant return with strictly limited performances at Utilita Arena Birmingham. With over 1 million tickets sold across 27 cities and counting, this groundbreaking production continues to break box office records.
You can still get tickets here.
Barry Manilow
Tuesday, June 16 – bp pulse LIVE
Barry Manilow is returning to Birmingham next year
Barry Manilow is returning to Birmingham for the ‘last last’ concert in the city. With worldwide record sales exceeding 85 million, Barry Manilow is ranked as the top Adult Contemporary chart artist of all time with over 50 Top 40 hits including 12 and 27 Top 10 Hits.
You can still buy tickets here.
UB40
Saturday, June 20 – bp pulse LIVE
UB40 are coming to Birmingham in 2026 with special guests Maxi Priest and Aswad. Celebrating the release of their latest album Bigga Baggariddim, founder members Robin Campbell, Jimmy Brown, Earl Falconer, Norman Hassan, long-time members Martin Meredith, Laurence Parry and Tony Mullings, and lead vocalist Matt Doyle will perform new tracks, alongside the band’s timeless classics and greatest hits.
You can still buy tickets here.
Lily Allen
Friday, June 26 – bp pulse LIVE
Lily Allen is breaking her seven-year touring hiatus in 2026(Image: Charlie Denis/Nieves González)
Lily Allen’s highly acclaimed album West End Girl has become a huge global success, with more than 150 million streams. Following public demand for her instantly sold out theatre shows in March, Lily will play bp pulse LIVE in June, playing the new album in its entirety.
You can still buy tickets here.
Def Leppard
Saturday, July 4 – bp pulse LIVE
Rock legends Def Leppard return with a headline UK and EU arena tour, with special guests Extreme. Known for their electrifying live shows, the band continues to captivate fans reflected in their 20 million social media followers worldwide.
You can still buy tickets here.
Evanescence
Friday, September 11 – Utilita Arena Birmingham
Don’t miss Evanescence, the two-time GRAMMY Award-winning band that redefined rock. With global hits like Bring Me to Life and My Immortal, their debut album Fallen sold over 17 million copies worldwide and remains a modern classic.
You can still buy tickets here.
Andre Rieu
Saturday, September 19 – bp pulse LIVE
World-renowned violinist and conductor André Rieu is returning to the United Kingdom and Ireland in 2026. Known as the “King of Waltz,” Rieu will once again enchant his audiences with his Johann Strauss Orchestra, promising evenings filled with romance, humour and musical magic.
You can still buy tickets here.
Westlife
Friday, October 16, to Sunday, October 18 – Utilita Arena Birmingham
Westlife have announced their 25th anniversary tour next year
Pop group Westlife will celebrate their 25th anniversary with a new world tour. Their latest single Chariot, written by Ed Sheeran, will feature on the band’s forthcoming album 25 – The Ultimate Collection, out in February.
You can still buy tickets here.
Hits Radio Live
Friday, November 20 – bp pulse LIVE
Hits Radio Live returns to bp pulse LIVE in November. Previous artists include Lewis Capaldi, Sugababes, Busted, Anne Marie, Calvin Harris, Alex Warren and more! The 2026 artists will be announced later in the year.
You can still buy tickets here.
Bloc Party and Interpol
Friday, November 20 – Utilita Arena Birmingham
Interpol and Bloc Party announce a co-headline tour that will unite two era-defining bands. The tour will see two of the most influential acts of the last three decades performing songs from across their 20 year-spanning discographies, including Bloc Party’s seminal debut Silent Alarm and Interpol’s landmark sophomore album Antics.
You can still buy tickets here.
The Darkness
Saturday, December 12 – Utilita Arena Birmingham
The Darkness are bringing their biggest headline tour in 20 years to the Utilita Arena in December. Expect an explosive night of arena-sized anthems from their chart-topping album Dreams On Toast, alongside classic hits.
You can still buy tickets here.
Ocean Colour Scene
Saturday, December 12 – bp pulse LIVE
Ocean Colour Scene remain one of the most successful – and most loved – bands of the modern era. Having spent six years fine-tuning their sound, they lit up the Britpop party, with three top five albums – 1996’s Moseley Shoals, 1997’s Marchin’ Already and 1999’s One From The Modern and a run of nine successive Top 20 single’s including The Riverboat Song.
You can still buy tickets here.