October is a great time to spend a few days in Birmingham. As autumn arrives, the city’s calendar fills up with festivals, live performances, exhibitions, food and drink events and plenty of ways to make the most of the season.

With Black History Month taking place throughout October, Birmingham Comedy Festival kicking off the month and events including Birmingham Cocktail Weekend and Diwali later in the month, there’s plenty to build a weekend around. Add in Birmingham’s independent food scene and autumn walks, and you’ve got plenty of reasons to stay a little longer.

Here’s how to spend a weekend in Birmingham this October.

Explore the Autumn Colours

When the leaves start to turn, Birmingham’s parks and green spaces are an easy way to enjoy the season.

Cannon Hill Park is a popular spot for a stroll, with plenty of space to walk, relax and take in the changing colours. You can combine a visit with a trip to Midlands Arts Centre, or continue towards nearby Moseley and Kings Heath for independent cafés, pubs and restaurants.

For a bigger escape into nature, head to Sutton Park. Just a short journey from the city centre, the 2,400-acre National Nature Reserve has woodland, heathland, lakes and walking routes to explore.

There are plenty more green spaces to discover across the city too, so you don’t have to travel far to get some fresh air.

Take a stroll through the city centre

Autumn is a good excuse to slow down and explore some of Birmingham’s landmarks on foot.

Start in the city centre, taking in landmarks around Victoria Square, Chamberlain Square and the Library of Birmingham, before heading towards the Jewellery Quarter.

The Jewellery Quarter has more than 200 years of jewellery-making heritage, alongside independent businesses, historic pubs, cafés, restaurants and creative spaces. You can explore the area independently or book a guided tour to learn more about its past.

If you’re interested in Birmingham’s history, look out for heritage walks, exhibitions and events taking place throughout the autumn.

Warm up with Birmingham’s food scene

Cooler days are a good excuse to take your time over lunch, find a new café or settle in somewhere for dinner. Birmingham’s food scene brings together flavours and influences from across the world, with plenty of independent restaurants, neighbourhood favourites and places to try something different.

For a taste of some of the city’s diverse food scene, head to Lulu Wild for Pan-Asian dishes and cocktails/mocktails, Shababs Balti Restaurant for traditional Balti cooking, or Adam's if you fancy a Michelin star meal. Down by the canals, Gas Street Social a relaxed spot for food and drinks, with the waterside setting making it a good place to linger as the evenings draw in.

Autumn is also the perfect time for a Sunday roast. If that’s what you’re after, take a look at our guide to The Best Sunday Roasts in the West Midlands for some ideas on where to eat.

And if you’re visiting later in October, Birmingham Cocktail Weekend, taking place from 22-25 October, is another chance to explore the city’s bars, with participating venues offering special drinks, food and events.

Discover Birmingham’s culture

There’s always plenty happening indoors once autumn arrives.

Spend an afternoon exploring Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery or see what’s on at Ikon Gallery and the RBSA Gallery.

The city’s theatres and music venues also have a busy autumn programme. October 2026 includes Birmingham Comedy Festival, Birmingham Literature Festival, major concerts and performances across venues including Birmingham Hippodrome, Symphony Hall and Utilita Arena Birmingham.

Black History Month also takes place throughout October, with events and activities celebrating Black history, culture and creativity across Birmingham and the wider West Midlands. Take a look at our most recent blog to see the upcoming events. 

Get spooky for Halloween

As October progresses, Birmingham gets into the Halloween spirit.

For something a little different, head onto the canals with Brindley Cruises for one of its seasonal ghost tours. You’ll hear spooky stories as you travel along Birmingham’s historic waterways after dark.

There are also Halloween events, themed evenings, family activities and spooky experiences taking place across Birmingham and the wider West Midlands throughout October.

If you prefer your history without the jump scares, autumn is also a good time to explore some of the region’s darker history, with historic buildings, former industrial sites and stories that reveal another side of the West Midlands.

Spend an afternoon in Birmingham’s neighbourhoods

There’s more to Birmingham than the city centre.

Head south to Moseley and Kings Heath for independent shops, cafés, restaurants and pubs, or explore Stirchley, which has developed a reputation for its food and drink scene. Just beyond Birmingham, Solihull offers another option for an autumn afternoon, with independent shops, cafés, restaurants and green spaces to explore.

Digbeth offers something different, with street art, independent venues, food spots and creative spaces around almost every corner.

Each neighbourhood has its own character, and exploring beyond the city centre is an easy way to spend an afternoon while supporting independent businesses.

Make time for autumn shopping

If the autumn weather isn’t playing ball, Birmingham has plenty of ways to spend a few hours shopping.

In the city centre, explore the Bullring and Grand Central for well-known brands, or head to the Jewellery Quarter and Digbeth to browse independent shops, makers and businesses.

For a shopping trip beyond the city centre, head to McArthurGlen Designer Outlet West Midlands in Cannock. Just an hour train ride from Birmingham New Street, the designer outlet is home to more than 65 brands including Coach, Kate Spade, Hugo Boss, Levi’s, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein and Nike, alongside cafés and restaurants. Or, for somewhere a little closer, Solihull is less than a 15-minute train journey from Birmingham Moor Street, with Touchwood offering plenty of shops, restaurants and places to grab a coffee.

With autumn-winter collections arriving and savings available throughout the year, it’s a good option if you’re looking to update your wardrobe for the colder months or pick up a few gifts ahead of Christmas.

 

Experience Birmingham’s autumn events

One of the best things about visiting Birmingham in autumn is the variety of events taking place across the city and wider region. As we've already mentioned a few in this blog, we ought to tell you about some more happening just outside the city centre! 

The NEC is hosting some of the season’s biggest events. Horse of the Year Show takes place from 7-11 October, followed by the Motorhome & Caravan Show from 13-18 October. There's plenty more events happening which you can find here.

There are also major concerts and performances throughout the month, including The World of Hans Zimmer at Utilita Arena Birmingham on 10 October. Whatever time of autumn you visit, it’s worth checking Birmingham’s what's on guide before you travel to see what’s happening during your stay.

Make a stay of it

There are plenty of places to stay in Birmingham, whether you’re looking for a central base or a little more space. Leonardo Royal Hotel Birmingham, Hilton Garden Inn Birmingham Brindleyplace, Hotel du Vin Birmingham and StayCity Aparthotels Birmingham. These are all good options for an autumn break, putting you within easy reach of the city’s restaurants, attractions, shopping and events. With so much happening across Birmingham and the wider West Midlands this autumn, staying overnight gives you more time to explore without having to rush home.