November is a funny old month. The clocks have changed (hello, darkness at 4pm- we’ve missed you!) and most of us are just waiting for Christmas to kick into gear. But as tempting as it is to retreat inside and curl up under a blanket, there are plenty of things to do in Birmingham this November. This month we’ll see old and new arrive in the city, like the long-awaited Christmas markets and the opening of several new restaurants! So, it’s time to wrap up, explore the city and beyond, and check out our guide to the best things to do in Birmingham this November to make for an unbelievably fab month.
1. Light up your life with these Diwali celebrations
The most colourful celebration of the year is almost here, and no, we’re not talking about Bonfire Night or Christmas (we’ll get to those). Diwali, aka the Festival of Light, is a five-day Hindu festival that celebrates light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. During the festival, people illuminate their homes with candles and lanterns, while there are a number of events happening across Birmingham too.
One of the most popular and recognisable stars of Indian cinema, Preity G Zinta, will lead the region’s Diwali celebrations at Birmingham Town Hall on November 5. Meanwhile, a lantern parade (Sari Sari Night) will proceed through Solihull on November 9 and, on November 11, a Diwali Dinner & Dance will be held in Smethwick. Head here to see the best Diwali celebrations in Birmingham.
2. Watch some fantastic fireworks displays this Guy Fawkes Night
Guy Fawkes Night, the quintessential British holiday, is certain to go off with a bang in Birmingham this year. With it falling on Sunday (November 5) this year, the weekend should be full of celebrations too. The best in Birmingham has to be the Firework Spectacular and Funfair at Edgbaston Stadium (November 4).
Solihull’s biggest and best fireworks event happens over at Tudor Grange Park on the same night. On Sunday (November 5), the Kings Heath Cricket and Sports Club will be hosting their own Bonfire Night too. But there’s bound to be fireworks popping off all over Birmingham this November.
3. Sip on gluhwein at Birmingham’s popular Frankfurt Christmas Market
The city’s popular Frankfurt Christmas Market is back this month with hundreds of stalls in the city centre. Returning to Victoria Square and New Street, Brummies and visitors alike will be able to grab anything from mulled wine and bratwurst to handcrafted wooden decorations and glass baubles. Plus, plenty more Xmas goodies to bring the festive cheer!
The largest authentic German Christmas market outside of Germany and Austria will open from November 2 to December 23. Also making a comeback on the same day is the ice skating rink at Centenary Square, alongside its iconic Big Wheel. Christmas is here!
4. Lay all your love on this magical Candlelight concert
Knowing Me, Knowing You, we’ll not want to miss out on this tantalising tribute to ABBA at Birmingham Botanical Gardens. The Swedish pop group has produced some of the most recognisable songs in the world like The Winner Takes it All, Voulez-Vous and Money, Money, Money. But you’ve never heard them like this before. A string quartet will perform classical interpretations of ABBA’s biggest hits, all under the gentle glow of candlelight on November 16 – an atmosphere that cannot be matched! To get your tickets to this ABBA tribute concert head here.
5. Enjoy a little luxury on a budget at this new affordable fine-dining restaurant
No one ever has any money in November. If summer hasn’t fully wiped our bank accounts, then Christmas is threatening to take the rest. So thankfully, this affordable six-course dining experience from Six by Nico is opening on Colmore Row on November 30. Set at £39 per person (with a wine pairing option for an extra £30), Six by Nico’s tasting menus change every six weeks – drawing inspiration from a particular theme, destination, or concept – so the restaurant demands repeat visits!
6. Grab a dram from England’s rapidly rising whisky scene
Unlike our friends in Scotland, Ireland and America, England isn’t well-known for producing great whisky. But change is afoot. There are over 40 distilleries in the country currently making English whisky, and the English Whisky Festival will celebrate this burgeoning scene this November 18.
Numerous English distilleries will gather at The Bond, offering the chance to sample whiskies from up and down the country. Alongside the likes of our city’s very own, Spirit of Birmingham, you can also join masterclasses that delve deeper into the themes of English whisky, as well are purchase some bottles to take home from the whisky shop.
7. Listen to the leaves crunch as you wander through these local woodland areas
In need of a change of scenery? Why not take a trip out and switch off from the world within a woodland blanketed with leaves, with a ton of beautiful routes right on our doorsteps? With around 20 woods recorded by the Woodland Trust within a five-mile radius of Birmingham, there are a ton of beautiful routes right on our doorsteps.
Whether you want to stay nearer the city or head a tad further afield for some stunning sights, there are plenty of woodland walks brimming with shades of auburn and earthy tones for you to explore near Birmingham this autumn. Check out the best woodland walks near Birmingham here.
8. Be the last one standing at this groundbreaking ‘Squid Game’ VR experience
No one could have guessed that when Squid Game released on Netflix in 2021 it would go on to become the most-watched series of all time. A reality TV competition based on the series is now dropping this November, Squid Game: The Challenge, so don’t miss this opportunity to play your very own version of Squid Game.
Using groundbreaking full-body VR, Sandbox VR has brought Squid Game Virtuals to the Bullring & Grand Central. A brand new Squid Game-inspired virtual reality experience, it lets teams of up to six compete in iconic locations from the TV show – with games like ‘Red Light, Green Light,’ and ‘Cross the Glass Bridge’ faithfully recreated.
9. Watch the Christmas lights come on at Birmingham Cathedral
If the Frankfurt Christmas Market wasn’t enough to get you in the festive mood, head down to Birmingham Cathedral on November 15. A special Christmas light switch-on event for the area. Taking place between 6.30 and 8pm, expect special guests, street acts and live music, as well as the launch of Christmas in Cathedral Square. Comprising over forty stalls, running until December 17, you’ll find everything from fine wines and fried chicken to macaroons and craft beer, as well as many more local West Midlands traders.
10. Spend the night at this new boutique hotel, fine dining restaurant and cocktail lounge
Replacing The Edgbaston Hotel was never going to be an easy task, but we’ve no doubt the team behind Qavali is more than up for the task. The Indo-Persian restaurant has renamed the hotel Baloci, which is due to reopen sometime this November. Described as a “boutique hotel, fine dining restaurant and cocktail lounge,” expect the team to add a distinct Qavali flair. The Zoroaster Bar will serve as the main cocktail lounge, while the Red Bar and Restaurant will focus on fine dining. Guests can also stay the night in one of the 20-bedroom hotel rooms.
11. Add some sunshine with this bottomless rum punch brunch
November can be a bleak-looking month, but so why not add some sunshine with this bottomless rum punch brunch? Pretend you’re in the Caribbean (at least for a few hours) on November 11 & 25, as you enjoy some vibrant street food and an hour of bottomless rum punch. Sprinkle in some of the biggest tunes from the likes Cameo, R Kelly, Ginuwine and Beyonce, and you’ll soon forget you’re stuck in dreary ol’ England. Get your tickets to this R&B brunch here.
12. Feel the speed at the world’s first official Formula 1 simulator
It’s time to strap in and pretend your Max Verstappen. Pulling into Paradise Birmingham on November 21, the world’s first official Formula 1 simulator will open its second UK racing experience in Birmingham. F1 Arcade will offer 53 bespoke full-motion racing simulators that feature motion and audio-visual effects to fully immerse racers. There’s now no better way in Birmingham to find out who among your mates really is the better driver! F1 Arcade will host watch parties on Grand Prix race days, while DJs will keep the atmosphere pumping on weekends.
13. Take a trip to the best Christmas markets this twinkling island has to offer
We know nothing can quite beat Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market. But with Birmingham so well situated in the country, it’s the perfect place to travel around the UK and see how well other cities’ Christmas markets fare.
Down south in Bath and Bristol, both markets are cutesy and Christmassy. While up north, Manchester’s spans the whole city centre and (almost) rivals Birmingham for capturing that magic Christmassy feeling. Get in the festive spirit by seeing all the best UK Christmas markets here.