The following events are intended as a guide to some of the best annual events occuring in Birmingham, but are by no means a definitive guide. Birmingham is a cultural hub, with a vast number of different local and city-wide events run throughout the year. For more annual events, please see the Visit Birmingham Annual Event Guide.
Chinese New Year is a festival enjoyed all over the world, and each year is represented by an animal from the Chinese zodiac calendar. Celebrations take place in the Arcadian Centre with free entertainment for thousands of visitors including lion dancing, Chinese inspired activities and of course fireworks!
Flatpack is a film gathering like no other which takes over Birmingham every March. Kicking off in the city centre and moving gradually towards the arches, warehouses and galleries of Digbeth, the festival celebrates cinema in all its forms.
Famed as being the UK's biggest 2 day Gay Pride Parade, the city centre comes alive with music and colours as the parade makes it all the way through New Street and ending in Birmingham's Gay Village. Expect lots of live music and events over the course of the weekend.
BE Festival, Birmingham's festival celebrating the best of European theatre, returns year on year. Featuring over twenty electrifying performances from eleven European countries, plus live music, exhibitions, workshops, discussions and delicious food, this vibrant festival puts Birmingham on the map as the Theatre capital of Europe.
This event takes place every July in the idyllic setting of Moseley Park. Mostly Jazz Funk & Soul is well known for bringing some of the best artists from the Jazz, Funk and Soul world to Birmingham.
The Birmingham Comedy Festival has been drawing attention to the city's vibrant (and often unsung) comedy scene since 2001 when the debut festival hit the road running thanks to appearances from Peter Kay and Sean Lock. Since then, the festival has grown into one of the largest independent arts festival in the region.
Each November there are a whole host of spectacular fireworks and bonfires all across the region, helping you celebrate with a BANG! One of the best displays is the University's Guild of Students’ annual firework display at the Vale, which is free to enter. The event starts at 7pm with a funfair and the fireworks commence at approximately 9pm. It promises to be a fantastic evening and the event is open to all so you are welcome to bring any friends and family with you.
The largest authentic German market outside Germany and Austria and the centrepiece of the city’s festive event calendar returns to Birmingham each year in mid November for 5 weeks. Explore over 180 stalls selling gifts, jewellery, decorations, handmade toys, delicious German fare and of course the ever popular Glühwein!
Late evening shopping at the Christmas Markets