10 Best Festivals in Birmingham

The annual Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market is one of the largest German Christmas Markets in Europe. Located in Centenary Square, the market is a 3-minute walk from New Street Station. If you’re after authenticity, it’s organised by the organisers of Frankfurt’s own Christmas Market and the stall owners have the accent to prove it.

Stroll around and wash down some succulent Bratwurst sausages with some mulled wine. Kids will love the carousel, the assortment of sweets and toys, and anybody can enjoy a singalong with Chris Moose – the market’s singing Christmas Moose. If you want to avoid the crowds then check it out early evening on Monday or Tuesday. If toasting flagons to one and all is your thing, Friday evening would be your best bet.

Birmingham’s Chinese Quarter welcomes in the Chinese New Year annually with a parade along with various traditional Chinese activities and displays to enjoy. Centred around the Chinese Quarter in Birmingham’s Southside, the local community takes pride in giving you an authentic Chinese New Year festival.

Marvel at the famed lion and dragon dances before admiring acrobatic displays and exquisite fan and umbrella processions. Once you’ve taken in the parades, you’ll be able to try out some of the tastiest street food from the local community before browsing traditional Chinese wares and witnessing breathtaking martial arts displays. Make sure you don't miss out on the firecracker shows at the closing ceremony to welcome in the New Year.

St. Patrick’s Day in Birmingham is big. In fact, it’s claimed to be the biggest St. Patrick’s Day parade outside of Dublin and New York. Having run since 1952, the main parade typically sets off from Camp Hill Island and travels down Digbeth High Street towards the city centre. The surrounding area – not to say most of the city – buzzes Irish music and dances throughout the day and night.

Over the weekend closest to 17th March, green is the colour and Birmingham's Irish community exhibits traditional vehicles, music, dances and sports teams as part of the parade. Once the official parades have finished, you’re sure to find Irish-themed jigs continuing into the night in pubs and bars across the city.

Foodies are spoilt for choice at the Independent Birmingham Festival, which showcases some of the finest cuisines Birmingham has to offer. Every year, the grounds of stunning local heritage site Aston Hall sees stalls from local street food vendors, restaurants, breweries and bars offer up the best of their produce.

You'll be covered for whatever cuisine takes your fancy. All hailing from local eateries, sizzling Texan-style barbecues, British cakes and bakeries, Cuban sandwiches and a host of drinks are a few highlights of what you can expect to find. You'll also find most local's favourite dish in abundance here – the iconic Birmingham Balti curry. Good luck trying them all.

Birmingham International Dance Festival brings together local performance artists from around the city to showcase the dances they've designed just for this show. Performances take place in various public spots around the city, although the main hub of the action is the Hippodrome. The festival is held every other year, so don't miss out if it's on during your visit.

Whether you're an aspiring pro breakdancer or you just love a secret bedroom boogie, you'll see some moves to inspire you at Birmingham's International Dance Festival. Few things in life evoke a sense of freedom more than simply letting go and dancing, or admiring others doing the same. Who knows, perhaps you'll be inspired to perform the next time around.

Birmingham's Big Family Festival provides 3 days' worth of fun family activities every summer. Taking place in Sutton Coldfield, just half an hour outside the city centre, the festival is easily accessed by car, local bus routes and train.

Famous children's entertainers play a big part, from Basil Brush to Rastamouse, Dick and Dom to The Smurfs, and Sooty and Sweep providing the adults with some nostalgia. When the kids aren't glued to the main stage, they can play at the sports zone, express themselves at crafts workshops, or learn how to work the decks at the DJ academy. Adults aren't left out either, with street food stalls on offer throughout the festival.

Birmingham Pride is one of the UK's biggest celebrations of LGBTQ+ communities and is held every year on the Spring Bank Holiday weekend. Centred around the Gay Village in the city centre, the festival has run since 1972 and sees thousands of revellers come together to express themselves during this weekend bonanza.

Aside from the fantastic parade of extravagant costumes and colour, you'll find popular artists gracing the main stage, with past performers including Basement Jaxx, 5ive and Human League. The dance arena is waiting for you to bust a move and you're sure to be entertained by the comedians and drag artists at the Cabaret Stage.

Don your lederhosen and get ready to swing your stein for a weekend of Bavarian beer at Digbeth Oktoberfest. Held in or around Digbeth, your entrance fee will get you allocated seating, table service and live entertainment for the festivities.

Beer lovers will be spoilt for choice at the range of beers available. But if you favour a different tipple, don't worry – there are plenty of Bavarian-themed cocktails on offer, too. Traditional beer snacks abound to soak it all up, with schnitzels, BBQ Bratwurst and apple strudel waffles galore. There’s a full lineup of live music and entertainment. Just remember to pull up your stockings before dancing on those tables.

The award-winning Birmingham Comedy Festival started in 2001 and has staged some of the biggest names in British comedy, as well as some of the freshest new talent. The event brings laughter to thousands over the course of a week, with 40+ acts at various venues across the city.

Birmingham's Comedy Festival has seen appearances from Russell Brand, Joanna Lumley and even the late, great Ken Dodd. The Breaking Talent Award is given to an up-and-coming comedian each year at the famed Glee Club. You'll also find a barrel of laughs at iconic venues such as Birmingham Town Hall and the historic cinema The Electric.

Birmingham Weekender is the city's largest free arts festival based in the creative quarter of Digbeth every October. The Culture Central organisation arrange the festival to bring you the best of Birmingham's traditional arts, music, street food and independent film.

You'll find educational exhibitions at science museum Thinktank, expressive displays of art at galleries such as Minerva Works and delicious local street food scattered among the venues. Wind up the day with a cold one at Dig Brew or, if you've still got the energy for it, browse the local wares down Digbeth High Street's vintage stores.