Birmingham’s Millennium Point Lights Up for Christmas with Slade Legend and City Leaders

Millennium Point brought together 200 of Birmingham’s business leaders, previous scholarship winners, journalists and influencers on Thursday 6 November for a Christmas tree lighting party. Rock legend Dave Hill from Slade led the countdown and hit the button to light up the 39ft Christmas tree, one of Birmingham’s tallest, which features 23,000 energy saving LED lights.

He was joined by Abbie Vlahakis, the venue’s CEO, with His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant Derrick Anderson CBE and the Lord Mayor of Birmingham among the guests.

The evening showcased Millennium Point’s new onsite kitchen, with AC Catering designing a specially crafted festive menu for attendees, while also raising awareness for Help Harry Help Others (HHHO), a charity supporting children and young people facing adversity.

Entertainment came from Mr & Mrs Grey, who performed Ozzy Osbourne’s ‘Mama, I’m Coming Home’, and Black Sabbath’s ‘Changes’, with both songs paying tribute to Ozzy following his recent passing and as a nod to his enduring legacy to Birmingham’s musical heritage. They also performed Slade’s ‘Cum on Feel the Noize’, while Dave Hill watched on. 

The celebration capped off a full day at the venue, which had earlier hosted a STEM roundtable. Featuring leaders across STEM industries, primary and secondary education, further education, higher education and not-for-profits in the STEM Sectors, the event underlines Millennium Point’s commitment to advancing science, technology, engineering and mathematics education alongside its public event programming.

Rebecca Delmore, Commercial Director at Millennium Point, said: “This evening perfectly encapsulated what Millennium Point represents, a space where Birmingham’s past, present and future come together. From hosting crucial STEM conversations during the day to bringing our community together for celebration in the evening, we’re proud to be a venue that works as hard as the city itself.

“Seeing Dave Hill light up our Christmas tree, welcoming community leaders, supporting charities like HHHO, and showcasing what our new kitchen can deliver, reminds me why this venue matters. We’re not just hosting events, we’re creating moments that connect people across every sector of Birmingham life. That’s what drives us every single day.”