Residents from Birmingham, UK and international tourists filled the city’s Council House and Victoria Square for the busiest International Day of Birmingham to date.

The now established international celebration of the city and its namesakes welcomed 4,000 people and hosted 100 performers, speakers and traders across 10 rooms.

Brummie Passports - designed by Colour Palette and Draw My City artist Stacey Barnfield - proved popular, with all 4,000 passports issued to visitors on both days.

Figures from the city who spoke or presented at the event included Ayan Aden, Trevor Beattie, Cold War Steve, Professor Carl Chinn MBE, PJ Ellis, Catherine O’Flynn, Ed James, Hijab Shah, Mike Gayle, Dan Lee, Jess Phillips MP, Kath Stanczyszyn, Bradley Taylor, and Kit de Waal.

International Day of Birmingham featured performances from The Heavy Beat Brass Band, renowned arts organisations City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and Birmingham Royal Ballet, alongside live stand-up comedy from city stars Lindsey Santoro and Tal Davies.

Exhibitions and interactive art sessions from The Archers, Bam Bam, Black Sabbath, Molly Cleaver, Foka Wolf, Matt Peers, Goldship’s Re-Union Jack, Sally Chidlow, and Tat Vision also featured in the programme.

An independent ‘Brummie Bazaar’ market, featuring independent businesses and brands from across the city was organised by Birmingham Artisan Markets, with a full two days of film screenings provided by Mockingbird Cinema.

International Day of Birmingham, which took place on Thursday 24 September 2026 and continued on Friday 25 September, saw the first time Birmingham’s Council House was open to the public on this scale in its 147-year history.

Spaces across the building including the grand Council Chamber, Banqueting and Drawing Rooms, and the Lord Mayor’s Suite, were filled with Brummie ephemera and experiences including a mini Birmingham Botanical Gardens installation in the building’s Glass Corridor.

Opening with a FlashBab (a play on flashmob) and a ceremonial raising of the International Day of Birmingham flag by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Mr Egg, and dignitaries including a representative of Birminghams in the USA, the first day saw attendance and engagement from 1,800 people.

Food and drink at International Day of Birmingham were kindly provided by independent businesses Bonehead Birmingham, Chung Ying, Cakes & Bakes from Birmingham College of Food,  Juci Luci Cake Company, Loki Wine, Nortons Digbeth, Pip’s Hot Sauce, and Shabab’s Birmingham - with 300 Dim Sum, 300 samosas, 600 pints of Guinness, and 300 specially-made cupcakes served over the two days.

International Day of Birmingham takes place next year on Friday 24 September 2027.