Menu
30 Jun 2026

NEC Lakeside Birmingham: Free Outdoor Cinema, Play Area and Family Fun This Summer

Looking for free things to do in Birmingham this summer? Whether you're planning a full family day out or simply want somewhere to relax outdoors, NEC Lakeside is the newest destination at the heart of the NEC Campus. 

Open daily from 9:30am until the end of August, NEC Lakeside is a completely free outdoor family space featuring an outdoor cinema, children's play area, activity trail, garden games, picnic seating and delicious street food. Best of all, there's no booking, no tickets and no cost – simply turn up and enjoy.

Located next to Peppa Pig Space Adventure, NEC Lakeside is part of the biggest summer programme the NEC has ever hosted, making it easy to combine free activities with some of the UK's most exciting family attractions. 

What is NEC Lakeside? 

NEC Lakeside is a brand-new outdoor space designed for families to enjoy throughout the summer holidays. Whether you're visiting one of the NEC's attractions or simply looking for a free family day out near Birmingham, there's something for everyone. 

Visitors can enjoy: 

  • FREE outdoor cinema 
  • Children's play area 
  • Family activity trail 
  • Garden games 
  • Picnic seating 
  • Street food and refreshments 
  • Beautiful lakeside setting 

Everything is completely free to enjoy, making NEC Lakeside one of the best free summer activities in Birmingham. 

Free Outdoor Cinema at NEC Lakeside 

One of the highlights of NEC Lakeside is the Big Screen, showing entertainment throughout the day. 

Bring a picnic blanket, grab some food and settle in for a relaxed afternoon outdoors. 

 

Daily Entertainment 

  • CBeebies plays every day from 9:30am 
  • Featured family films are shown at 2:00pm on selected days 
  • No tickets required 
  • No booking necessary 
  • Completely FREE 

NEC Lakeside Summer Cinema Schedule 

July

  • Friday 17 July – Cars
  • Saturday 18 July – Zootopia
  • Sunday 19 July – Minecraft Movie
  • Friday 24 July – Finding Nemo
  • Saturday 25 July – Frozen 2
  • Sunday 26 July – The Lion King
  • Friday 31 July – Beauty and the Beast

August

  • Saturday 1 August – The Secret Life of Pets
  • Sunday 2 August – The Lego Movie
  • Thursday 6 August – Kung Fu Panda
  • Friday 7 August – The Lego Batman Movie
  • Saturday 8 August – The Little Mermaid
  • Sunday 9 August – Coco
  • Thursday 13 August – Angry Birds
  • Friday 14 August – Inside Out
  • Saturday 15 August – The Incredibles
  • Sunday 16 August – Cars
  • Friday 21 August – Monsters Inc
  • Saturday 22 August – Ratatouille
  • Sunday 23 August – Trolls
  • Friday 28 August – Madagascar
  • Saturday 29 August – Flushed Away
  • Sunday 30 August – Tangled
  • Monday 31 August – Wreck-It Ralph

Film screenings are subject to change. 

 

Make It a Full Day Out at the NEC 

NEC Lakeside sits at the centre of an incredible collection of family attractions, making it easy to create your perfect summer day out. 

Alongside your free visit to Lakeside, you can also experience: 

  • Peppa Pig Space Adventure – A playful, storyteller-led adventure to space designed especially for preschoolers. 
  • Gladiators Experience – Step into the famous Arena and take on iconic events including Duel, Hang Tough, The Wall and the Eliminator. 
  • Titanic Exhibition – Explore authentic artefacts, powerful personal stories and objects recovered from the Atlantic. 
  • Tutankhamun: The Immersive Experience – Journey into the world of Ancient Egypt through spectacular digital storytelling. 
  • iFLY Indoor Skydiving – Experience the thrill of flying in a safe indoor wind tunnel. 

With so much happening across the campus, you can easily spend an entire day at the NEC. Whether you're visiting for a couple of hours or making it part of a bigger adventure, NEC Lakeside offers the perfect place to relax, play and make memories together. 

 

Plan Your Visit 

NEC Lakeside 
📍 Located next to Peppa Pig Space Adventure at the NEC Campus, Birmingham 

Opening Times 
Daily from 9:30am until the end of August. 

Entry 
FREE – no tickets or booking required. 

Pack a picnic blanket, bring the family and discover why NEC Lakeside is quickly becoming one of the best free family attractions in Birmingham this summer.