Annual global celebration of Birmingham will take place on Thursday 24th September 2026, with a second day of activities on Friday 25th September
In a first for the UK city, a programme of extraordinary events will take over Birmingham’s historic Council House to mark the special worldwide day
Dignitaries, key figures, and organisations from across arts, culture, food, media, and nightlife will join ‘to honour Birminghams across the globe’
International Day of Birmingham (IDOB), the major annual celebration of Birmingham, UK and its namesakes across the world, returns for a third edition on Thursday 24 September 2026.
The day champions the global communities that make up Birmingham, UK alongside international counterparts in Birmingham, Alabama and beyond.
In a first for the important English Midlands city, a programme of extraordinary events entitled ‘The House That Brum Built’ will take over rooms of Birmingham’s impressive historic Council House to mark the special date in the calendar.
A second day of uplifting festivities is also planned for Friday 25 September, making 2026 the biggest International Day of Birmingham yet with around 50 inspiring events, opportunities, and shared moments planned over both days.
Originally devised for Sky TV show Joe Lycett’s United States of Birmingham, the yearly celebration now delivered by International Day of Birmingham CIC recognises the contribution of the city, and its people and places - alongside sister towns and cities across the world which bear the same name.
In 2024, Joe Lycett travelled to North America, a destination for multiple Brums and home to no fewer than eighteen Birminghams, to explore their history, their collective Brummie cultural commonalities and form official ‘Friendship Agreements’ for Sky TV show Joe Lycett’s United States of Birmingham
Speaking ahead of International Day of Birmingham 2026, Joe Lycett said: “This day has got out of hand and I want nothing to do with it.
“The sad truth is that I will be unable to attend this year’s celebrations as I am contractually bound to be in Britain’s second city - London.
“I wish everyone a very happy International Day of Birmingham 2026, bab.”
For International Day of Birmingham 2026, Birmingham’s Lord Mayor will be joined by key figures and organisations from across the city’s arts, culture, creative food, media, and nightlife worlds - all coming together with residents and visitors alike to publicly embrace civic pride.
With a Brummie Passport in hand - designed by Colour Palette Company and Draw My City artist Stacey Barnfield - visitors will stamp their way through the Grade-II-listed Council House landmark building, room by room, discovering everything that makes Birmingham worth celebrating.
Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Zaker Choudhry, said: "International Day of Birmingham is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate everything that makes our city unique: our creativity, diversity, civic pride and strong sense of community. It is also a chance to recognise the special connections we share with other Birminghams around the world, bringing people together through friendship, culture and a shared identity."
"I am delighted that this year's celebrations will be bigger than ever, with our historic Council House opening its doors for The House That Brum Built. I encourage residents, visitors and friends of Birmingham everywhere to join us in celebrating our city, its people and the remarkable spirit that makes Birmingham such a special place to call home."
The now traditional Flashbab will see a gathering of Brummies outside the Council House in Victoria Square take part in a communal chant of “Alright bab", led by Lord Mayor Councillor Zaker Choudhry and Mr Egg, followed by the ceremonial raising of the United States of Birmingham flag, accompanied by the IDOB anthem.
Birmingham champions taking part in the 2026 celebrations include Poet Laureate Ayan Aden, film producer and creative director Trevor Beattie; social historian Professor Carl Chinn; satirical collage artist Cold War Steve, acclaimed author and activist Kit de Waal; anonymous subversive artist Fokawolf, actor and comedian Barbara Nice; celebrity chef and restaurateur Glynn Purnell; and papier-mâché pop artist and performer Tat Vision.
International Day of Birmingham 2026 is made possible with kind thanks to Birmingham City Council and The Lord Mayor of Birmingham, and with generous support from The Beattie Foundation, Colmore Life, The Heath Bookshop, Hollywood Monster, Nortons Digbeth, UB40, and the University of Birmingham.
Details of the full International Day of Birmingham 2026 programme will be announced in the coming weeks.
For updates, visit www.idob.co.uk and www.instagram.com/internationaldayofbirmingham
