As summer fades away, Birmingham enters September. But just because it’s back-to-school season for the kids doesn’t mean the rest of us have to suffer. There’s still plenty of fun to be found in the city – from food festivals and cultural celebrations to Oktoberfest and Paralympics. Check out the best things to do this September in Birmingham, which are making the gradual introduction of autumn a little easier to enjoy.
1. Eat at this free food festival
Attracting over 30,000 visitors each year, Colmore Food Festival will offer an affordable selection of mouth-watering taster dishes from local traders on September 13 & 14. The free festival is back at its original home in Victoria Square with organisers placing price caps on food and drinks to create an affordable but unforgettable experience.
It’s not the only local food festival taking place that weekend either. Sutton Coldfield’s biggest-ever food festival is happening on September 14 & 15 in the town centre. The free event features 100 diverse food stalls, celebrity chef demonstrations, live music, and children’s entertainment. We really are spoilt for choice in Birmingham for excellent food!
2. Visit the city’s most unique buildings for free or low-cost
Birmingham Heritage Week, now in its 10th year, returns to shine the spotlight on the city’s history with talks, tours, workshops, walks and more this September. Plenty of local places and spaces will open their doors with a wide range of events during the 10-day festival (September 6-15) for free or at low cost. Just some of the events include a swim in the oldest swimming pool in Birmingham at Woodcock Street Baths; a posh afternoon tea in the spectacular ballroom of the Grand Hotel; or Bournville Heritage Open Day on September 14, with 17 venues open around the village. Head here to learn more.
3. Sip wine and paint in the dark
Found your creative spark this September? Neon Brush is a unique painting workshop in a fluorescent neon-lit setting. With a paintbrush in one hand, and a wine glass in the other (or beer, soft drink, whatever), let your imagination run wild at Snobs this September 5 – 7. An artist will guide you through this 90-minute session (accompanied by music) and you can take you creation home with you. To get your ticket to Neon Brush head here.
4. Enjoy a night of Peaky Blinders revelry
It’s time to grab your flat cap and don your finest threads as you step into the smoky underworld of the 1920s because Peaky Blinders Nights are making a return to the Black Country Living Museum. This September 28, fans of the popular TV series can enjoy a night of fun and revelry and become an adopted member of the Shelby family with this immersive experience. You will be able to explore the streets and alleys, hear tales about Birmingham’s most notorious gangs, and enjoy the roaring nightlife of the interwar years with entertainment around every corner.
5. Listen to the works of Hans Zimmer at this magical candlelight concert
All cinema lovers will undoubtedly know the name, Hans Zimmer. An icon of the movies, his scores have defined movie soundtracks for decades from Rain Man to Pirates of the Caribbean, Dune to Kung Fu Panda and countless more since his 1977 debut. On September 28, a candlelight concert will celebrate his illustrious career at the Birmingham Cathedral. Treat yourself to a special night of live music by Candlelight and get your tickets here.
6. Take in the fresh air with an autumn stroll
From lakes to mountains, the surrounding area of Birmingham offers a range of terrain for you to explore whilst the weather is still pretty mild. From climbing up Clent Hills to a circular route around Coughton Court, Warwickshire boasts amazing views and walking routes which vary from challenging to chilled. Check out our guide to autumn walks near Birmingham. Not only does it give you a break from your usual scenery, but you can watch the leaves turning on some awesome routes.
7. Get gnarly in Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton is set to host a major urban sports international tournament, Urban Sports FISE Xperience. The three-day event – featuring BMX freestyle, skateboard, roller freestyle, scooter, parkour, breaking and more – will take over Old Market Square and the newly created Victoria Street events space from September 6 to 8.
8. Don your Lederhosen and raise your steins
Prepare to get your oompah on this September! Albert’s Schloss is bringing the Bavarian bliss of Oktoberfest to Birmingham (September 21 – October 6). No tickets, no entry fee and no booking needed, just an appetite for lederhosen, traditional bratwurst and bier. The festivities kick off with a traditional keg tapping ceremony, officially marking the start of the Oktoberfest celebrations.
But there’ll be competitive sausage eating contests, traditional Oompah tunes, Oktoberfest games (such as ring and hook, stein holding, and hat toss) and all six of the legitimate Oktoberfest beers throughout the festivities. Plus, a best-dressed competition! To learn more about Oktoberfest at Albert’s Schloss head here.
9. Get in touch with your felines
The Cat Show Live will host its debut event at NEC Birmingham on September 14. Up to 5,000 cat enthusiasts are expected in Second City (dog owners may want to stay away) with Olympic medallist and animal lover Iwan Thomas MBE hosting. The inaugural cat show promises over 250 pedigree cats on display, a chance to engage with industry professionals, hear global speakers on a variety of cat-related topics – from behaviour and health to the latest trends in feline care – and a bustling marketplace of over 100 trade stands.
10. Watch all the Paralympic action
The Olympics might be over, but the sporting action is far from. Catch the Paralympics (August 28 to September 8) from the comfort of… St Martin’s Square. That’s right. The official Team GB fanzone, which is also wheelchair accessible, is sticking around. But that’s not Birmingham’s only connection to legendary sporting events for athletes with disabilities. On Thursday, September 12, The National Lottery’s ParalympicsGB Homecoming will be held at the Utilita Arena. The ballot for tickets to this event opens on Monday August, 19 – you can learn more here.
11. Taste the homegrown beers of Birmingham
Seasonal Markets and Attic Brew Co are teaming up for Birmingham’s homegrown craft beer festival. Taking place September 7, Suds Fest (at the Uffculme Centre in Moseley) is providing the West Midlands with an eclectic array of unique brews crafted by some of the biggest names in craft beer. Pouring alongside Attic Brew Co, the lineup for this event will be Pastore Brewing, DEYA, Amity Brew Co, Northern Monk, Bluntrock Brewery, Nothing Bound Brewing Co, Sureshot Brewing, Castle Rock Brewery, Phantom Brewing Co, Pipeline Brewing Co, and New Bristol Brewery. Meanwhile, mouthwatering food will be served by street food legends Original Patty Men and Yardbirds. Tickets are £12 and you can learn more here.
12. Level up at this new VR arena
Space-themed crazy golf course, Mulligans has levelled up with a brand new virtual arena and introduced eight new VR games to its roster – and it only costs £10 to book 30 minutes of game time until the end of September. Among the eight games, players can eradicate a virus; save your stranded crew; or escape from a hacked train. While families must stop evil and bring peace to the fairy realm, or play the role of chefs in Cook’d-Up.
13. Visit the NYC-hailing, viral coffee shop
A popular New York coffee chain that’s taken London by storm is officially opening its doors in Birmingham on September 7. From TikTok-viral drinks and celeb visits from Sabrina Carpenter, Blank Street Coffee is reimagining what a coffee shop could look like with a focus on smaller stores and sourcing speciality graded coffee.
14. Take a day trip to Stonehenge and Bath
Hop on a coach from Birmingham and explore the mystical Stonehenge and the stunning city of Bath. You’ll not only discover over 4,500 years at the neolithic stone circle in this exclusive offer (with an audio guide in hand) but soak up the unique blend of historical grandeur and contemporary culture in Bath – stopping by at the likes of Bath Abbey, Royal Crescent, The Roman Baths and The Jane Austen Centre along the way. To grab your tickets to the From Birmingham Stonehenge and Bath Day Tour head here.