From good food and drink to great music - Eight events to suit everyone's tastes across the West Midlands

Foodies and green-fingered gardening fans will have the chance to indulge themselves at two of the biggest exhibitions of the year, while a Black Country boy made good hits the stage of a Wolverhampton hall, a Shakespearean classic emanates from a Stafford stage and the Panthers hit the court for a big time match.

We've taken a look at what's on across the region and picked out some must-see events happening in the West Midlands for people to go and be part of.

BBC Good Food Show Summer and Gardeners World Live

Thursday, June 12 to Sunday, June 15 at the NEC Birmingham - Day Ticket start at £27, Two Day Tickets start at £41.50 and VIP Tickets start at £98 From 9am to 6pm each day.

The Good Food Show Summer is the ultimate celebration of summer foodie delights, with guests able to get inspiration in live demos from top culinary stars including James Martin, Nadiya Hussian, Si King, Matt Tebbutt, John Torode and many more to be announced.

There will also be opportunities to browse from artisan producers and big brands, get stuck into tasting sessions and hands-on workshops and enjoy a day out.

The ticket includes entry to BBC Gardeners’ World Live, with show gardens, al fresco dining inspiration and top gardening stars all in one place.

Animecon

Friday, June 13 to Sunday, June 15 at the NEC Birmingham - Tickets start at £20

Friday from 2pm to 7pm, Saturday from 10am to 6pm and Sunday from 10am to 5pm

The UK's largest Anime and Manga Festival AnimeCon is returning to the NEC for a weekend celebration of the Japanese art in all its forms.

AnimeCon is an international festival for fans of anime, cosplay, games, manga and popular culture and the weekend long event will feature all types of exhibitions and activities.

These include cosplaying opportunities, karaoke stage, meet-and-greets, and a silent disco.

Jonny Cole

Wulfrun Hall in Wolverhampton - Tickets start at £21.15

Saturday, June 14 - Doors open at 7pm

Social media phenomenon Jonny Cole extends his tour into 2025 with what is being described as his biggest and best show yet.

After amassing nearly four million views in just a couple of weeks on social media with his observations on Black Country life, Jonny Cole is bringing his solo tour to the Wulfrun Hall.

There will be more instruments and loads of brand new material, but he'll also be bringing out the old classics too.

Bonnie Raitt

Civic Hall in Wolverhampton - Tickets start at £39

Saturday, June 14 - Doors open at 6.30pm

Bonnie Raitt is coming to put on a show and celebrate nearly 50 years of music, with her unique style blending blues, R&B, rock, and pop together.

Raitt is returning to the UK just months after being celebrated for her lifetime of artistic achievements at the 47th Kennedy Center Honors in Washington, DC and will perform songs from across her catalogue.

The thirteen-time GRAMMY winner was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2000 and Rolling Stone named the slide guitar ace one of the “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time” and one of the “100 Greatest Singers of All Time.”

Wolverhampton Kidical Mass

Starting at East Park in Wolverhampton from 12pm - Free to take part

A fun-packed festival of cycling in Wolverhampton features activities for all ages and abilities, from a gentle ride from East Park to the Molineux Stadium and back, to bike skills and practice riding sessions for learners in East Park throughout the day.

The event is planned as Wolverhampton's contribution to the national Bike Week 2025 celebration and coincides with Great Big Green Week, the UK’s biggest celebration of community action to protect nature and tackle climate change.

The ride, suitable for riders aged 10 and up, will be led by experienced cycle coaches and volunteers, including No Limits to Health founder and Bicycle Mayor of Wolverhampton Sam Henry.

East Park will host a bike skills track and learn-to-ride sessions for younger children, plus a Speedway Cycling Demonstration, Dr Bike repairs, performances by the Ellowes Hall dance troop and theatre group the Miss Ida show, face-painting, and Indian, Caribbean and British food stalls.

Birmingham Panthers vs Loughborough Lightning

Utilita Arena Birmingham - Tickets start at £20

Saturday, June 14 - Doors from 6pm.

Experience the thrill of top level Netball at Birmingham Panthers last home game of the season.

Join the Panthers as they face off against Loughborough Lightning and enjoy the adrenaline-pumping action, live and up-close.

Feel the energy surge through the arena as Birmingham Panthers battle hard in the jungle, showcasing unbeatable spirit and fierce determination.

Defying Gravity - West End Women

Lichfield Garrick Theatre - Tickets start at £33

Sunday, June 15 - Show starts at 7.30pm

Defying Gravity - West End Women is a celebration of women who have made their mark on the West End Stage.

Featuring the best loved songs from the West End and Broadway, performed by a cast of vocalists and an all female band, this is a must-see for anyone who loves musical theatre.

Songs featured will come from musicals such as Wicked, Les Miserables, Mamma Mia, Waitress and many more.

Jools Holland & His Rhythm & Blues Orchestra

Wolverhampton Grand Theatre - Tickets start at £52

Sunday, June 15 - Show starts at 7.30pm.

As the UK’s most popular pianist and bandleader, Jools Holland OBE has performed and recorded with some of the most talented musicians and songwriters in the world, including Eric Clapton, the late George Harrison and Luther Vandross, Sting, BB King and Paul Weller and is respected not only as a performer, but also an authority on all music.

The 20-piece Rhythm & Blues Orchestra features, at its helm, former Squeeze drummer, Gilson Lavis, who has been drumming with Jools Holland for more than  25 years, since their Squeeze days, plus guest vocalists Ruby Turner, Louise Marshall and Sumudu Jayatilaka.