It’s time to accept that autumn is here. But just because the sun’s setting early, temperatures have dropped, and everyone’s cosying up doesn’t mean there isn’t any more fun to be had in Birmingham. Between Halloween, Diwali and Oktoberfest, alongside countless more autumnal activities, here are just some of the best things to do in Birmingham that are helping make for an epic October.
Prost — five weeks of authentic Oktoberfest fun. If you’re after a lively October outing in the city, Albert’s Schloss hosts Oktoberfest celebrations in Birmingham featuring Munich’s six official biers, live Oompah bands, keg-tapping ceremonies, Alpine food and new Bier Masterclasses. Entry is free, but bookings are available for tables.
Think you know Michael Jackson? What about Adele or Hans Zimmer? Not like this, you don’t! Some of the world’s biggest artists receive the Candlelight concert treatment this October—with a string quartet performing their greatest hits in breathtaking locations, all under the gentle glow of candlelight.
Flat Iron is bringing high-quality, great-value steak to Birmingham. Add it to your October hit list when it opens at 41-42 Temple Street, occupying a historic two-floor site near Victoria Square. The menu focuses on the signature Flat Iron steak, Wagyu daily specials, burgers and indulgent sides, plus a curated wine and cocktail list.
Grab a wintery cocktail or two from Birmingham Cocktail Weekend
The Winter Edition of Birmingham Cocktail Weekend sees the city’s very best bars team up to offer signature £6 cocktails this October. Try every specially made cocktail and, at the end of the festival, vote for the ‘Best Cocktail of Birmingham Cocktail Weekend’!
Catch something big and buzzy on the live-music calendar this October, Duran Duran have announced their first full UK arena tour in three years — including a homecoming show at Utilita Arena Birmingham on October 20. Special guests for the UK dates include Pigeon.
Birmingham Comedy Festival returns with nearly 100 performances across 25 venues. The UK’s second longest-running comedy festival is back in Birmingham from October 2 to 11, 2026. Expect a mix of big names and rising stars — including Daniel Sloss, Stevie Martin, Kiell Smith-Bynoe, and Paul Foot — plus free and pay-what-you-can events.
Whether you’re doing it for the ‘gram or just absolutely love getting your carve on, there are many pumpkin patches near Birmingham you can visit this autumn. Whether you want to make Halloween-inspired jack-o-lanterns or pumpkin soup, these fields will not only be brimming with pumpkins but also plenty of activities to get involved in, from carving to photoshoots with your produce. Check out the best pumpkin patches near Birmingham here.
Step into a living Neverland — an hour-long indoor, Peter Pan-themed light trail opening at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. Transforming the historic halls into a living storybook with actors, soundscapes and immersive light installations, the family-friendly walkthrough features Skull Rock, Crocodile Creek and Captain Hook’s ship.
Try your luck at winning prizes at Bongo’s Bingo
Award-winning Bongo’s Bingo head to The Forum in Digbeth this month. Regular shows will take place on October 3, 10 & 17, before huge Halloween specials, ‘Ghouls Just Wanna Have Fun’ on October 24 & 31. If you’re looking for crazy things to do this October, Bongo’s Bingo combines the much-loved quaint pastime of bingo with rave rounds, dance-offs, and crazy prizes. Brace for a night full of madness, mischief and shared euphoria!
Birmingham can be a creepy place when it wants to be – with more than its fair share of haunted locations. So why not explore the most frightful places in Birmingham this October with a ghost hunt? Track wandering ghosts using only your phone in this thrilling 90-minute adventure that blends escape-room puzzles, scavenger hunts, and spine-chilling storytelling.
Cosy up or cower with one of these spine-tingling movies
If you’d rather stay in the house this Halloween, then there’s always space for some spooky films and popcorn. So, whether you’re going out or staying in on October 31, there’s plenty of time to squeeze in a few of these fantastic films. Check out our picks of the scariest movies and series, then bust out those skull-shaped sweets you bought on a whim from the supermarket and start chomping!
Experience Avatar: The Last Airbender performed live by an orchestra with brand-new anniversary elements. This live-orchestra ‘In Concert’ performance arrives in Birmingham, bringing the show’s score to life with screens showing highlights and new anniversary elements. The two-hour special marks the 20th anniversary and features the original dialogue, sound effects and a range of instruments from taiko drums to erhu.
Thanks to a £15 million investment, University College Birmingham’s Restaurant at Birmingham College of Food will reopen after a major refurbishment on October 12, offering lunch and dinner Monday to Friday in a larger open-plan space with a new finishing kitchen and bar.
Every October, the Birmingham Literature Festival brings together the very best writers from around the UK to the West Midlands. So why not see the city jump off the page this month? Because Birmingham’s writing exploits aren’t confined to dusty old bookshops. Be it JRR Tolkien’s fantastical tales of Middle-earth, or Henry Green’s realistic documentation of factory workers, the Second City has inspired countless literary tales over the years. See this guide to the most lovely literary spots in Birmingham.
Party to the city’s biggest Diwali celebrations
Soho Road Diwali is back for the biggest Diwali celebrations in Birmingham—best of all, the event is completely free! The one-day street festival of light right on Soho Road offers a line-up of Bollywood, bhangra, classical music, and global fusion beats all day long (from midday to 7:30pm). Plus, enjoy authentic Indian and South Asian cuisine, a handmade crafts market, fun fair rides, and a fantastic fireworks finale!
KIBOU brings sushi, A5 wagyu and Japanese cocktails to Birmingham. The award-winning Japanese kitchen and bar is opening its seventh restaurant at 61-63 Temple Row, offering classic and contemporary Japanese sharing plates and a standalone drinks bar. The 200-cover site will be open seven days a week and feature Japanese-inspired interiors and original murals.
A free outdoor exhibition celebrates Black culture this October. This open-air showcase will transform Snow Hill Square with 13 artworks by Birmingham City University School of Arts students, spanning photography, collage, illustration, printmaking and painting. Winners and highly commended artists will receive cash prizes of £200 and £100, announced in October.
Explore artists’ studios across Birmingham for free and see art being made. Birmingham Open Studios (BOS) returns in 2026, opening artists’ studios across the city to the public for free, with painting, sculpture, textiles, glass, jewellery and more. You will meet the artists, buy their work, and catch a rare opportunity to see techniques and processes normally behind closed doors.
If you’re craving proper spine-tingling thrills this October, Screamfest returns to the National Forest Adventure Farm in Staffordshire for 14 adult-only fright nights. Expect seven attractions including Insomnia, Area 52, Cortex 17 and Hellcatraz, plus live music, extreme acts and street food.
Help save Digbeth‘s grassroots music venues from demolition — make your voice heard. This is a big one for the city’s nightlife and live music scene. Local campaign Save Our Scene is urging action after plans to widen the Bordesley Viaduct for the Midlands Rail Hub could displace or demolish independent Digbeth music venues. The Night Owl is hosting a Save Our Scene live all-dayer on Sunday, October 4 to raise awareness, followed by a Save Digbeth Block Party on October 11.
