Ozzy the bull set for first performance at Birmingham New Street - here’s when

Before Brummies relive last year’s amazing summer festival with the launch of Birmingham Festival 23 on Friday (July 28), you can be part of the celebration for the return of Ozzy the bull.

The mechanical bull created by special effects company Artem was the star of the Opening Ceremony of the Commonwealth Games 2022 at Alexander Stadium and now it will be the star of Birmingham New Street station.

The official unveiling of the bull is tomorrow (Wednesday, July 26) from 11am and there is a whole host of entertainment as Ozzy makes his first performance (full details below).

It comes days before the first anniversary of the opening ceremony spectacle, when Ozzy – then known as Raging Bull – was revealed on the world stage for the first time. He was only designed for a one-off performance originally and was destined for the scrap heap, but Brummies saved him from that fate after he was put on display temporarily in Centenary Square during the Games and thousands came to see him.

Network Rail and the West Midlands Combined Authority stepped in to save the bull after a petition called for him to stay. Ozzy’s popularity continued as thousansds joined a poll to name him ahead of his return to the city.

What time is Ozzy’s first performance at Birmingham New Street and what will happen?

Ozzy’s official first performance at Birmingham New Street will be no simple affair. Passengers and station users will get to see his first performance, which includes a moving head, roar, swishing tail and lit-up eyes, tomorrow morning from 11am. The sequence will last for several minutes and will be repeated hourly between 10am and 8pm for the first ten days.

Across the station that day there will also be face painting, a brass band and dance performances to welcome Ozzy to his new station home. Women chain makers who appeared in last year’s opening ceremony alongside Ozzy will also be present tomorrow (July 26).

Before the unveiling, experts recreated the 10-metre-high moving sculpture behind huge hoardings on the station concourse. With most of the structure now up, they have also started testing his mechanised movements.

Previously, Peter, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill and Network Rail chair, said: “Excitement has been building for months and the question we’ve had most is ‘when exactly are you unveiling Ozzy?’. It’s great to be able to confirm the date and set out our exciting plans to welcome our big beast back to Birmingham.

“We’re expecting visitors from far and wide to travel to the heart of Britain’s railway to see him. Judging by the response we’ve already had I’m sure he’ll prove to be a very popular attraction, which is great for the station, for the city and the wider economy.”

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, had said: “It’s the news that we’ve all been waiting for and we now know when Ozzy’s hometown unveiling will be. This iconic Bull captured the spirit of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and has captivated our hearts as the works at New Street Station take place to welcome Ozzy home. I cannot wait to see Ozzy take pride of place – thrilling tourists and local people in the months and years ahead.”

To mark one year since the games Birmingham City Council will also hold ‘Festival 23’, which will take place in Centenary Square between 28 July – 6 August and there’s much to do during this multi-day celebration of all things Brummie.