What top festivals are on offer in and around Birmingham?

All you need to know to plan a brilliant day or two out
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Nothing says it’s summer more than enjoying a memorable day at a festival.

Whatever your age, in and around Birmingham we are spoiled for choice when it comes to selecting where to create the happiest of memories.

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If music, the arts, food and drink or a great family day out are right up your street, then check out BirminghamWorld’s guide to some of the best festivals on your doorstep.

Swingamajig – April 30 (Edgbaston)

There are very few of us who can recall the 1920s but it is a period in time which comes to the fore in this exciting festival inspired by the decade.

Birmingham Botanical Gardens will host five stages of live music, award-winning cabaret, burlesque, a circus, DJs, swing dancing and more.

Swingamajig is a one-day festival like no other as it unites an eclectic blend of music, dance and cabaret – bringing the sounds and styles from the roaring 1920s up to date with a modern twist.

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Headlining is DJ Yoda playing a big band/swing set, alongside Sam and the Womp, Mista Trick, The Jim Wyn Swing Orchestra, The Hawkmen and Swingamajig’s own Electric Swing Circus.

The daytime event between 2-11pm will feature street food traders, cocktails, craft ales and a vintage market including top hats and vintage records.

For the night owls among you, the fun continues until 4am at an over 18s only after party spread across two rooms at Hockley Social Club in the Jewellery Quarter.

Bag your tickets by visiting the website, here.

Picture: Swingamajig.co.uk.Picture: Swingamajig.co.uk.
Picture: Swingamajig.co.uk.

Mostly Jazz Funk & Soul Festival - July 8-10 (Moseley)

There is a legendary line-up for this year’s spectacular in the beautiful Moseley Park.

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Headline acts include The Specials, Earth Wind and Fire and Experience featuring Al McKay, Cameo, Fatback Band and Nightmares on Wax (DJ set).

Tickets, including club class packages featuring back stage access, complimentary drink, festival T-shirt, programme and CD are selling fast and the only remaining caravan hire is for Friday.

For those with enough energy after a day at the festival, there will also be a Friday and Saturday after party at the Hare & Hounds in Kings Heath.

A day of partying is never complete without some great food and drink, which is provided by some of Birmingham’s best street vendors including Original Patty Men, Bonehead, English Indian and West Midlands Jerk Centre.

Tickets are available here.

The Specials will star at Mostly Jazz Funk  & Soul. Picture: mostlyjazz.co.uk.The Specials will star at Mostly Jazz Funk  & Soul. Picture: mostlyjazz.co.uk.
The Specials will star at Mostly Jazz Funk & Soul. Picture: mostlyjazz.co.uk.

Wireless – July 8-10 (NEC, Solihull)

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Birmingham, or Solihull to be precise, plays host to one of three eagerly-anticipated Wireless festivals this summer.

With the other two in London, it means the outdoor event at the NEC is the only Wireless festival outside the capital this year.

Held over three days, headline acts are Dave, Cardi B and J. Cole and they are supported by the likes of BLXST, Burna Boy and D-Block Europe.

Wireless started primarily as a rock and pop festival, but in recent years has focused on hip hop and other urban music.

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This will be only the second time any Wireless festival has been held outside London, with the other previous exception also being a visit to Birmingham in the shape of Perry Park in 2014.

If rap music is right up your street, then you don’t want to miss Wireless. Visit the wireless website, here.

Cardi B is Saturday’s headline act at Wireless. Picture: birmingham.wirelessfestival.co.uk.Cardi B is Saturday’s headline act at Wireless. Picture: birmingham.wirelessfestival.co.uk.
Cardi B is Saturday’s headline act at Wireless. Picture: birmingham.wirelessfestival.co.uk.

Solihull Summer Fest – July 23-24 (Solihull)

A star-studded line-up means it will be a super sixth year for this spectacular event in Tudor Grange Park.

Saturday’s line-up features Shaggy, Boyzlife, Artful Dodger, Duke, All Saints, Shalamar and Snap.

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Sunday’s acts are every bit as impressive with the likes of Billy Ocean, Belinda Carlisle, The Real Thing, Kool & The Gang, Bad Manners and Doctor & The Medics all taking centre stage.

Prior to the main weekend event, on Thursday, July 21 Open Air Cinema presents Rocketman which is followed by a live Elton John tribute.

On Friday, July 22 Ibiza Proms in the Park will take clubbers on an incredible journey of the most iconic anthems from the White Isle when a 50-piece orchestra and vocalists wow the crowds.

This truly is an event not to be missed, so get your tickets here.

There may be one or two hangovers at Solihull Summer Fest. Picture: solihullsummerfest.co.uk.There may be one or two hangovers at Solihull Summer Fest. Picture: solihullsummerfest.co.uk.
There may be one or two hangovers at Solihull Summer Fest. Picture: solihullsummerfest.co.uk.

Big Family Festival – July 29-31 (Kingsbury)

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Located at Whitegate Stables off the A4097 off junction 9 of the M42, this festival offers some of the very best in children’s entertainment.

Three days of family fun awaits as more than 100 activities will leave youngsters fascinated.

Camping and glamping is available, whilst families can enjoy award-winning street food, a sports zone including football and cricket and a dance workshop featuring street, classical and breakdancing with help from a professional school.

Craft workshops, a DJ academy, karaoke and outdoor cinema playing short films and feature-length classics are all on site.

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Character meet and greets and the little ones garden will add to what is, hopefully, fun in the sun for youngsters this summer!

Visit skiddle.com/festivals/big-family-festival to buy tickets.

Dance workshops are always a favourite at the Big Family Festival. Picture: bigfamilyfestival.co.uk.Dance workshops are always a favourite at the Big Family Festival. Picture: bigfamilyfestival.co.uk.
Dance workshops are always a favourite at the Big Family Festival. Picture: bigfamilyfestival.co.uk.

Pairc Festival - August 26-28 (Kings Heath)

This is a huge three-day celebration of Irish music and culture over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Bringing together the best Birmingham, Irish and Birmingham-Irish musical talent together for a unique celebration, the line-up will include headline acts Finbar Furey, Nathan Carter, Hothouse Flowers, Beoga, Damien Dempsey and the Sharon Shannon Trio.

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Hothouse Flowers had the most successful debut album in Irish history, whilst Beoga are famed as co-writers of Galway Girl.

The outdoor grounds of the New Irish Centre (formerly the Stadium Club) in Wheelers Lane, Kings Heath will be the venue as the musical magic of the Emerald Isle comes to the Second City.

A street food village will offer traditional Irish delicacies and there will be more than 50 market stalls featuring independent makers and producers.

If this sounds like thirsty work, then fear not as the Guinness will be flowing at the outdoor bars and beer tents.

Buy tickets here.

Irish rock group Hothouse Flowers will star at Pairc Festival. Picture: paircfestival.com.Irish rock group Hothouse Flowers will star at Pairc Festival. Picture: paircfestival.com.
Irish rock group Hothouse Flowers will star at Pairc Festival. Picture: paircfestival.com.

Sandwell & Birmingham Mela - August 27-28 (Smethwick)

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The Mela is Europe’s biggest South Asian music festival and takes place at Victoria Park in Smethwick.

It’s an extra special year for the event as it reaches its tenth birthday and, to celebrate, there will be music, dance, food, arts and crafts all mixed in with the sights, sounds and spicy aromas of South Asia.

There are eight activity zones at the Mela featuring the main stage with the biggest artists, food village, shopping bazaar, Lidl, arts village, funfair, the showcase stage for homegrown talent and visual arts.

Visit birminghammela.com/tickets to book your place.

Mocktails at the Mela. Picture: birminghammela.com.Mocktails at the Mela. Picture: birminghammela.com.
Mocktails at the Mela. Picture: birminghammela.com.

Moseley Folk & Arts Festival – September 2-4 (Moseley)

Another incredible line-up will treat the thousands who flock to this renowned event which will this year celebrate its 16th anniversary.

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Located at Moseley Park and Pool, the event is one of the best-loved and most anticipated music and arts festivals in the region.

Nineties pop sensation Supergrass, Kurt Vile & The Violators and The Weather Station are among the star names for the Friday.

Poet Laureate Simon Armitage, multi-BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards nominees Gilmore & Roberts and American blues musician Seasick Steve will be among the names to wow the crowds on Saturday.

Rock band The Coral – fresh from UK dates marking the 20th anniversary of their self-titled debut album - and fellow rockers Jethro Tull take to the stage on Sunday as the big names just keep on coming.

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You can upgrade your folk festival experience by booking one of numerous refurbished private caravans featuring waiter bar service or by visiting the Black Swan backstage pub.

Secure your tickets on the website, here.

Refurbished caravans are available for hire at Moseley Folk & Arts Festival. Picture: moseleyfolk.co.uk.Refurbished caravans are available for hire at Moseley Folk & Arts Festival. Picture: moseleyfolk.co.uk.
Refurbished caravans are available for hire at Moseley Folk & Arts Festival. Picture: moseleyfolk.co.uk.

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