Birmingham and Sandwell Mela - everything to know, including tickets, line-up & more

It’s that time of the year when the biggest South Asian music festival in Europe makes a comeback in Birmingham. It’s going to a colourful affair with bhangra, dhol, and the many different flavours of the Indian subcontinent.

The Birmingham and Sandwell Mela will bring two days of great music, fun fair, food, and a lot more in a family-friendly environment. This year, the excitement is all the more real for South Asian music fans as the mela brings some of the biggest names from Bollywood - the Hindi film industry in Mumbai - and Lollywood - Pakistan’s film industry.

Birmingham and Sandwell Mela will take place on July 22-23 at Victoria Park in Smethwick, and the tickets are already on sale. There will be eight zones of activities at the mela bringing residents and visitors an action-packed two days that should not be missed.

Line up for the festival

The Indian and Pakistani acts will be performing at the Centre Stage. Indian singer Guru Randhawa and Pakistani singer-songwriter Bilal Saeed and 90s star Jasbir Jassi will be performing at the music festival.

Saturday - July 22 - 12-7pm

1. DJ Kizzi
2. Navjot
3. RK Ramme
4. Mistry
5. Asifa Lohar
6. Raj Kaul
7. Saloni
8. Kru 172
9. Akhi Boy & Preet Sandhu
10. Raavi Kaur Bal
11. Desi Divas
12. Sucha Rangila and Mandeep Mandy
13. Jodi Dancers
14. Rafaqat Ali Khan
15. Jasbir Jassi
16. DJ Kizzi
17. Bilal Saeed

Sunday - July 23 - 12-7pm

1. DJ Kizzi
2. Bobby Sarver
3. Pamma Lassaria
4. KRU 172
5. Babbu Chander
6. Akhi Boy & Preet Sandhu
7. Karan Sehmbi
8. Raavi Kaur Bal
9. Jodi Dancers
10. Sucha Rangila and Mandeep Mandy
11. Bismaad and Rai Panesar
12. Jyotica Tangri
13. Vakhri Tohr
14. Sukhshinder Shinda
15. DJ Kizzi
16. Guru Randhawa

Showcase stage

This stage will highlight the rising stars from local to global talent.

What more to expect?

The mela will have a range of activities like the largest travelling Funfair, including dodgems, carousels to white knuckle rides; visual, aerial, street theatre and walkabouts; art and crafts workshops, visual interative activities, dance workshops; a bazaar with shops from local business to international brands, bringing you special products, discounts and exclusive lines from clothing, jewellery, health and beauty; and a food village with South Asian, British, Chinese and many other cuisines.

When do gates open?

Victoria Park is located on Smethwick High Street. Gates open at 12noon and the event finishes at 7pm on both days. There will be no re-admission. Please ensure you have everything you need before entering.

Road closures

There will be road closures in place around the event so pick ups and drop offs will not be possible near the park. Please use public transport where possible.

• By foot: Entrance to the park is via the High Street gate next to Smethwick Council house.
• By bus: The following bus route passes adjacent to the park: 80, 87, 89, 53, 55.
• By train: Nearest Rail Station is Smethwick Rolfe Street.
• By Car: There is limited car parking at Victoria Park. It will cost you £8 per day to park your car here.

Restrictions while entering the mela

Only small bags that fit the dimensions of W21cm x H30cm x D8cm (A4 Size) will be allowed. No large bags will be allowed inside. The mela doesn’t have a cloakroom or storage facilities.

You are no longer permitted to bring soft drinks or food and the following:

• Aerosols over 250ml
• Air horns
• Alcohol
• Animals (except assistance dogs)
• Audio visual recording or transmitting equipment (Professional)
• BBQs or any cooking apparatus
• Balloons
• Bicycles, scooters, roller skates
• Blow torches
• Cans
• Chairs, stools, floor seating, shooting sticks
• Chinese lanterns
• Cooking apparatus
• Cool bags / boxes (large)
• Cigarettes (more than for personal use)
• Cutlery
• Drinks (empty plastic bottles 500ml or less permitted)
• Drones
• Fireworks / pyrotechnics
• Flags with poles
• Flares / distress flares / smoke flares
• Food (small amounts for personal consumption permitted)
• Gazebos and parasols
• Gas cylinders/canisters
• Glass (including glass makeup and perfume bottles)
• Liquids, gels or lotions (over 100ml)
• Illegal substances (drugs)
• Laser pens
• Legal highs (includes Nitrus Oxide and associated equipment including balloons)
• Nitrous oxide / herbal highs
• Megaphones
• Penknives
• Perfume and make up (over 100ml)
• Smoke bombs / canisters
• Sound systems (including personal speakers)
• Spray cans
• Tabards/High Vis Jackets
• Tables
• Umbrellas (large, small/folding umbrellas permitted)
• Weapons

Where to get tickets?

Tickets are priced at £2 each day. You can purchase tickets online on Birmingham Mela website or pay at the gate. People are encouraged to buy tickets online to avoid queues.