Colors: Red Color

The NEC has been chosen by Raccoon Events as the hosts of the inaugural National Running Show, thanks to its location in the heart of the UK and its flexible event space. The launch show will take place from 20-21 January 2018. National Running Show is the first large-scale running expo of its kind in the UK and is designed by runners, for runners. The event will provide all of the kit, advice and support needed to achieve running goals.

The Repertory Theatre, renowned for its year round programme of theatrical events, was named Venue of the Year at the 2016 Birmingham Awards. The award was presented for its ability to host exhibitions, company events and functions. Stuart Rogers, executive director at The REP, said: “A big thank you to everyone who voted for us and a huge congratulation to the events team and everyone else at The REP who helped us to win this award.

The world famous Harlem Globetrotters, featuring some of the most electrifying athletes on the planet, will bring their spectacular show to the UK during their 2017 World Tour. The Globetrotters recently wrapped a busy 90th year tour, during which they named Pope Francis the ninth Honorary Harlem Globetrotter in team history, and walked the runway at New York Fashion week.

Children’s Touring Partnership has announced the first UK Tour of Running Wild by Michael Morpurgo in an adaptation by Samuel Adamson, at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from Tuesday 6 – Sat 10 June 2017. Tickets will be on general sale from Thursday 6 October.  Michael Morpurgo’s novel, based on a true story, is brought to life in this award-winning production, which has been described by critics as ‘inspiring’, ‘evocative, ‘imaginative’ and ‘life-affirming’. 

Two Saturday nights of fantastic Halloween and bonfire fun are lined up for families in Wolverhampton.There will be spooky goings on and a pumpkin parade for youngsters and their families at Hickman Park, Bilston, on Saturday, October 29. And for the second year running the city’s annual bonfire and fireworks night is being held at Wolverhampton Racecourse on Saturday, November 5. Both events are backed by Signal 107 with entertainment from Dicky Dodd and his team.

This Christmas Norwich, the City of Stories presents a stunning 7-week festive furore in which the UK's first 'tunnel of light' is the centre piece of the city's celebrations. Light is the theme of the city in 2016 with the launch on 17th November (as the city lights switch on takes place) of Norwich's lead seasonal attraction, the UK's first immersive 'Tunnel of Light'. Inspiration for the tunnel has been taken from Nagashia Resort's theme park Nabana no Sato in Japan.

16 of the best singing groups in the UK will battle it out on Sunday 16 October at  Birmingham’s Symphony Hall for Category Finals of the National Choir of the Year 2016 competition, broadcast on BBC Radio 3. Tickets to this singing spectacular, which features live feedback from the judges, are on sale now at www.thsh.co.uk. Finalists include choirs from across Britain, and as far afield as Northern Ireland and Jersey.

Chill-seekers who take a trip to Scotland this Halloween will be in for a treat (and maybe a scare) with new tours and plenty more ghostly goings-on. The country is known for tales of spooks, gruesome murders, as well as some of the most spine-chilling locations and visitor attractions.  From stories of Burke and Hare, to sightings of grey ladies in haunted castles, visitors will only left wanting to know if it was a friendly hand or a scarier one that clutched theirs in the night…

Plans to bring AR Rahman’s hugely successful 2015 US ‘Intimate Tour’ to the UK this September, have faced some serious and ultimately insurmountable technical challenges, leading to the postponement of the tour. Rahman, well known for his love of the latest technology, and wanting to push the creative boundaries of his performances, said: “Unfortunately, we realised that we were not going to be able to fix the technical glitches and prepare everything to the level I wish to present to my fans in time for the UK shows. With great sadness I accepted the need to reschedule the dates to ensure fans are treated to what will be a truly spectacular night’

Spot some of the scariest creatures in the ocean this 'Hallow-marine' as the Sea Life London Aquarium puts the spotlight on Spooky Seas! Visitors should keep their eyes peeled for 'spooky sea' clues around the attraction revealing where some of the strangest bogey-fish lurk! Look out for the well-camouflaged ambush predator – the Devil's Scorpionfish, which ambushes its prey literally inhaling smaller fish through its huge mouth.

Following last year's buzzing party to celebrate the festival's 10th anniversary, this year's Reeperbahn Festival will be taking place from 21 to 24 September. During four festival days, Europe's biggest club festival will once again represent the perfect synthesis of international music festival, creativity, and nightlife, while also providing a platform for the music and digital industries.

The world has gone Dahl dotty in 2016 and what better way to celebrate the legendary author’s 100th birthday, than with the world’s biggest dot-to-dot? Puzzler Media, the UK’s leading puzzle publisher, has produced a 1,000-dot puzzle recreating a classic image from Roald Dahl’s BFG featuring Sophie and the giant. The design was filled out by hand in the gardens of Surrey’s Botleys Mansion as a giant projector beamed the process live onto the side of the stately home 12 metres high by 25 metres wide. It is believed to be the largest-scale dot-to-dot puzzle ever created.

This autumn art lovers can look forward to big names and exciting interdisciplinary art projects in Düsseldorf. Galleries will be presenting a broad spectrum of works from centuries past and the present day, ranging from high-calibre photography by artists Andreas Gursky and Horst Wackerbarth to Titian's Venetian painting to concept art from Sol LeWitt.