Hello Solihull 👋
For a lot of people, it’s payday week, woohoo! And with the Easter holidays nearly here, there’s definitely that spring feeling in the air. Although the weather still seems to be doing its own thing; a bit of snow (crazy!), a bit of sunshine, and lighter evenings finally on the way, and don’t forget the clocks going forward this weekend.
But it’s also the time of year when some of the less exciting changes start to kick in. With the new tax year approaching, it’s naturally a good moment to check in on the monthly bills too. So in today’s edition, we’re doing something a little different.
Alongside the usual local picks, family ideas and things to do, we’re also including a few practical reminders that might help if you want to check your bills, spread payments, or make sure you’re not missing any support you can get.
Let’s get into it.
— Max
Local News
Solihull council tax is on average increasing by 4.99%
If you’re like us, you’ve probably had a letter through the post this past week with the kind of local update no one really wants to read over a morning coffee. Solihull council tax is increasing by an average of 4.99% for 2026/27.
It’s not the sort of post anyone hopes to open, especially with Easter coming up and plenty of households already keeping a closer eye on monthly spending. But if there is a positive, it’s this: knowing now gives you the chance to check everything properly, plan ahead and make sure you’re not missing anything that could help.
A few practical things worth checking now:
Single occupancy — if you live alone, make sure you’re getting the discount you’re entitled to.
Low income support — if money feels tight, it’s worth checking whether council tax support could apply to your household.
Pensioners — if Pension Credit applies to you or someone in your home, there may be extra help available.
Disability adaptations — if your home has been adapted for someone with a disability, you may be entitled to a reduction.
Carers and other circumstances (students) — depending on your household setup, there may be other discounts or exemptions worth looking into.
Monthly payments — if the cost feels a bit steep, it may be worth asking whether you can spread payments over 12 months instead of 10.
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✨ Community Spotlight ✨
Chai and Chat Community — Solihull
This is exactly the kind of local group we love shouting about. Chai and Chat Community Solihull is a warm, welcoming social group aimed mainly at South Asian adults over 50, built around connection, friendship, activities and community. Their Solihull group also promotes regular meetups, including sessions on the first and third Saturday of the month at Solihull Methodist Church and Community Hall.
Women’s Networking Event @ The Boat — Catherine-de-Barnes
A nice one to have on the radar for next week: The Boat in Catherine-de-Barnes is hosting a Women Networking Event on Friday 3 April from 10am to 12pm. The venue describes it as a supportive regular networking meeting focused on helping women leave feeling empowered, inspired and connected.
The Food Nudge 🍜
Yakinori Solihull: kids sushi classes this Easter
This is a genuinely good Easter holiday option if you are already thinking ahead. Yakinori Solihull is running its Kids Easter Sushi Classes from 30 March to 10 April, Monday to Friday. The classes are for ages 8 to 14, running from 11am to 12:30pm, and are £20 per child. Yakinori says kids will learn to roll sushi with the chefs and enjoy lunch afterwards. It is hands-on, a bit different, and feels more memorable than the standard “what shall we do with the kids?” option.
Turtle Bay Solihull: kids eat free
Another useful one for families: Turtle Bay says one child can eat free from the kids’ menu when an adult spends £15 or more, with plenty of Caribbean-inspired dishes on the menu, from jerk flavours and curry to burgers, rice bowls and lighter plates.
Coming up this week:
Art & Workshops 🎨
Easter Floral Arranging Workshop — John Lewis Solihull
An Easter option if you fancy doing something creative and slightly more grown-up. John Lewis Solihull is hosting an Easter Floral Arranging Workshop on Saturday 28 March with sessions at 11:30am and 2:30pm.
Touchwood Easter Village Green
A useful one for families to book ahead: Touchwood’s Easter Village Green is part of its Easter holiday programming, with spring-themed family crafting activities promoted through its events pages.
Family 🧑🤝🧑
MegaCon Live — NEC
A brilliant pick for families with older kids, teens, or anyone into gaming, comics, cosplay and pop culture. MegaCon Live Birmingham is at the NEC on 28–29 March 2026, with opening hours listed as Saturday 9am–6pm and Sunday 10am–5pm. NEC ticket information shows prices from £18 to £44, and MegaCon says kids 10 and under go free.
Tulip Garden at Hatton / Warwickshire
If you want a spring day out that feels a bit more visual, Tulleys Tulip Garden at Hatton opens on Saturday 28 March. It will feature 750,000 tulips, 100+ varieties, photo spots, food and live acoustic music.
Move Your Body 🏊
Just Start — Run Club is a beginner-friendly run club in Solihull and Knowle, welcoming all abilities and built around community rather than ego.
Open water swimming at Lavender Hall — Balsall Common
For anyone feeling brave or already fully into spring, The Lakes at Lavender Hall near Balsall Common has open-water swimming alongside paddleboarding, yoga, sauna and lakeside wellbeing experiences. I personally tried this last year and the team made it very welcoming!
Arnold Sports Festival UK — NEC
If fitness is more your thing, the Arnold Sports Festival UK runs at the NEC from 27–29 March 2026. It’s a three-day event combining elite sports competitions, expo halls, brands and interactive experiences for fans of all ages and abilities.
Live Music 🎤
Knowle Male Voice Choir Spring Concert
A more classic local music pick, and a nice community one too. Knowle Male Voice Choir has its Spring Concert on Saturday 28 March at 7pm at St Philip’s Church / St Philip’s Church Centre, Dorridge. Choir and ticket listings both confirm the event and timing.
Sport ⚽
Solihull Moors:
Solihull Moors picked up a 1–1 draw away at Truro City on Wednesday 25 March and return to action on Saturday 28 March at 3pm against Altrincham. The club also announced this week that forward Tobi Sho-Silva has joined on loan until the end of the season, giving fans something fresh to watch heading into the run-in.
👉 Full fixtures: https://www.solihullmoorsfc.co.uk/first-team-fixtures
Solihull Barons Ice Hockey (Planet Ice Solihull)
If ice hockey is more your thing, Solihull Barons have a playoff quarter-final away at Hull Jets on Sunday 29 March at 5:30pm. A nice one to keep an eye on if you follow the Barons or if you fancy backing another local side at a big stage of the season.
👉 Full fixtures: https://solihull-barons.net/new/calendar/2025-26-fixtures/
Big Local Events
DreamHack Birmingham — NEC
One of the biggest events around locally this weekend, DreamHack Birmingham 2026 runs 27–29 March at the NEC. Ticket prices from £25,ESL One Birmingham — bp pulse LIVE
From 27–29 March, the venue doors open at 10:30am. Bringing 16 of the world’s best Dota 2 teams to the arena for a huge three-day tournament and there’s a nice extra if you’re thinking of going: any ESL One ticket also includes access to DreamHack Birmingham.👉 ESL One
THE QUICK LOCAL CHECKLIST (so you don’t get caught out)
• Bin collections: https://digital.solihull.gov.uk/BinCollectionCalendar/
• Council news + updates: https://www.solihull.gov.uk/news
• Travel disruptions (West Midlands): https://disruptions.tfwm.org.uk/
Thanks for reading Solihull Spotlight 💙 let’s chat again on Sunday! Hit reply and tell me what you want more of next week: family, events, food, deals, walking routes, live music, sport, or hidden gems.
P.S. Want your business in front of local Solihull readers? Reply with SPONSOR and I’ll send over our options.
