It’s taken its time, but summer is finally here. Whether you’re a shade-seeker or the type of person who likes to soak up every inch of sunlight while it’s around, you’ll want to break out of hibernation this July. From fun music festivals to canal boat rides to trips to flower fields and breathtaking theatre shows, here’s our guide to the best things to do this July in Birmingham.
1. Celebrate the music of Black Sabbath
The heavy metal pioneers will play one final show in Birmingham on Saturday, July 5. No, we didn’t get a ticket to Villa Park either, but there are plenty of other ways to embrace your fandom for Black Sabbath – including livestreaming the concert from the comfort of your home.
Mwanwhile, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery now has a brand-new, free-to-enter exhibition ‘Working Class Hero’ (June 25 – September 28) showcasing Ozzy’s most prestigious international honours. But whether waving to Ozzy the Bull in New Street Station or sitting on the bench on Black Sabbath Bridge, make this a Black Sabbath-friendly July.
2. Unwind with an atmospheric Candlelight concert
Picture this: A four-string quartet performing your favourite songs in Birmingham’s most beautiful buildings, all under the gentle glow of candlelight. Doesn’t that sound special? And there’s something for every type of music fan. Catch tributes to Hans Zimmer or Robbie Williams, while classic rock and soul music fans have something to love, too!
3. Grab a bite to eat at this budget-friendly food festival
The free-to-attend Colmore Food Festival returns to Victoria Square on Friday, July 4 and Saturday, July 5. The 31-piece trader lineup features some of Birmingham’s best – including Adams, Asha’s, Isaac’s, JAVA Roastery, Kuula Poke, La-Pop!, Pasture, Qavali, Tiger Bites Pig, Wayland’s Yard, Yorks Café, Loki, The Mayan and more – all at ‘affordable prices’. As once again, the festival is committing to a price cap on all food and drink items.
4. Catch a herd of Bullring bulls stampeding into Birmingham
The ‘Bulls in the City’ art trail (running from Wednesday, July 16 to Sunday, September 14) pays tribute to the Bullring’s iconic bronze bull with a herd of larger-than-life sculptures. 40 hand-painted sculptures will spread throughout the city in support of Birmingham Hospice—while another 85 calves have been adopted by schools, nurseries and community groups from around Birmingham.
5. Dance to mostly jazz, funk and soul
It’s festival season, and the mighty Mostly Jazz Funk & Soul Festival returns to Birmingham’s Moseley Park & Pool from July 11 to 13. As always, the line-up looks to bring the sunshine with legends like Maribou State, Ezra Collective, WAR, Goldie, Craig Charles and many more. To see the full line-up and to get tickets head here.
6. Unleash your inner artist
Head down to The Alchemist this July and paint your own masterpiece at this weekly painting workshop. Every Sunday, let the music guide you, grab a drink from the bar if you like, and dive into two hours of artistic fun. Everything you need is provided — canvas, apron, paint, easel, and a welcoming creative space.. You’ll be surprised at what you can create — and yes, no experience is needed. To get your tickets to this Painting Workshop in Birmingham head here.
7. Simmer down in Handsworth Park with reggae and ska
Simmer Down is one of the largest and most diverse festivals in Birmingham. If you love roots reggae and its fantastic history, this one’s for you. Taking place in the beautiful Handsworth Park on July 27, this family festival celebrates Birmingham’s rich cultural diversity. Headlining this year is Luciano alongside an array of local artists, musicians, and DJs.
8. Visit these stunning flower fields
If you bloomin’ love flowers, like us, you’re in for a treat this July. For a small window of time (June 26 to July 6), The Wyke Manor Estate will reopen its Confetti Flower Field – mostly delphiniums – before they’re harvested. If you miss that, Cotswold Lavender will also offer a psychedelic display of colour this summer (until August 6) – where you’re allowed to walk, relax, and picnic.
9. Enjoy the largest South Asian music festival in Europe
The largest South Asian music festival in Europe returns this July 19 & 20. Tens of thousands will head to Victoria Park in Smethwick for pop, folk and classical music from across the globe, British Asian urban acts, dance, visual arts, arts and crafts, as well as exhibitions, food and a shopping bazaar. There’s going to be something for every generation at Sandwell & Birmingham Mela.
10. Visit Birmingham’s very own beach
You don’t need reminding that Birmingham has no beaches. But that’s changing this July. The return of Birmingham Beach and FunFair to Smithfields will provide the ultimate summer event for all ages. And it’s completely free to visit! Expect a proper sandy beach on Pershore Street, alongside a classic funfair, from July 14 to August 27, seven days a week.
11. Grab a cocktail for just £6
The Summer Edition of the legendary Birmingham Cocktail Weekend is almost back (July 10 to 13). Countless cocktail bars and other hospitality venues around Birmingham will be serving up £6 signature cocktails and £5 mocktails to be crowned this year’s winner. Plus, with tickets starting for just £10, get your hands on complimentary samples, exclusive food offers, one-off events, and more!
12. Run away and join the circus
Not to be confused with Birmingham’s pinball bar of the same name, TILT is the jaw-dropping aerial and physical theatre festival full of world-class artists in circus, dance, and more.You can sign up for a range of classes—including silk, Chinese pole, and cyr wheel—between Monday, July 21 and Friday, July 25, with incredible shows kicking off across the weekend (July 25 – 26).
13. Take the West Midlands’ most unique boat trip
Birmingham’s canals are legendary, but the West Midlands’ most unique boat trip is actually in Dudley Dudley Canal & Caverns offers an award-winning exploration of the region’s Industrial Revolution-era underground canal routes. The daily, 45-minute trip delves deep into the region’s past of handmade tunnels and ancient limestone caverns.
14. Grab a brew at the Birmingham craft beer festival
The UK’s touring craft beer festival is back in Birmingham on Saturday, July 12 July at the Custard Factory. Birmingham Craft Brew Festival is on a mission to rid the UK of boring beer festivals and replace them with five hours of full-throttle, all-in, party-mode madness with bottomless craft beer, cider, wine, non-alcoholic beer, soft drinks and prosecco. Your ticket promises more than 50 craft drinks to try, a live party band, confetti cannons, giveaways and more. To learn more, head here.
15. Bop along to one of Europe’s biggest free jazz parties
The Birmingham Jazz and Blues Festival has been running since 1985, making it England’s longest-established jazz and blues festival. The free, citywide jazz party (July 18 to 27) will feature more than 150 performances everywhere from shopping centres to art galleries, railway stations to canal boats, and sometimes even on buses! Plus, expect workshops, talks, exhibitions and masterclasses, too.
16. Tuck into Drake’s favourite Nashville-style chicken spot
The cult L.A.-born Dave’s Hot Chicken is set to open its first UK location outside of London this July, with an intergalactic site on Birmingham’s New Street. ‘America’s fastest-growing restaurant chain’ already has the backing of celebrity investors like Drake, Samuel L. Jackson and Usher, so the Nashville-style hot chicken spot has to be worth checking out, right?
17. Have a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious time
Mary Poppins is flying to Birmingham Hippodrome for six weeks from Wednesday, July 16. Based on the Walt Disney film of the world’s favourite nanny, the critically acclaimed Australian stars, Stefanie Jones and Jack Chambers, reprise their roles as Mary Poppins and Bert, with even more dazzling choreography, incredible effects and unforgettable songs. To book your tickets head here.
18. Catch the new Digbeth festival hosting ‘your new favourite band’
Liverpool has Sound City, Manchester has NBHD, Leeds has Live at Leeds, now Birmingham has What’s Happenin’? Digbeth. Across four stages, in three of Birmingham’s most influential independent venues (Mama Roux’s, The Night Owl and Dead Wax), Digbeth will come alive with a full day of live music on Saturday, July 19. From rising local talent to breakthrough national acts, this alternative all-day music festival promises 25+ acts of different genres.