Two days, ten rooms, around 50 events and one enormous celebration of everything gloriously Brummie – International Day of Birmingham is back for 2026.
Birmingham has never been a city particularly short on personality.
It gave the world heavy metal, the Balti, extraordinary music, industry, comedy, art and an accent that could never be mistaken for anywhere else. So perhaps it’s only right that Birmingham now has its own international day.
And in 2026, it’s getting considerably bigger.
International Day of Birmingham (IDOB) returns on Thursday 24th September, with celebrations continuing into Friday 25th, transforming Birmingham’s historic Council House and other parts of the city into a wonderfully unconventional celebration of Brummie life.
This will be the third International Day of Birmingham and organisers are promising the biggest edition yet, with around 50 events, activities and shared moments across the two days.
And yes, there will be an opportunity to shout “Alright bab!” in public.
Frankly, we’d be disappointed if there wasn’t.
So, what exactly is International Day of Birmingham?
It began with comedian and extremely enthusiastic Brummie Joe Lycett.
While making the Sky series Joe Lycett’s United States of Birmingham, Lycett travelled across North America discovering something rather wonderful: Birmingham isn’t alone.
There are numerous other places carrying the Birmingham name, including Birmingham, Alabama, and his journey resulted in friendship agreements connecting Birmingham UK with its international namesakes.
From that gloriously eccentric idea came International Day of Birmingham, first celebrated in 2024.
What could easily have remained a television stunt has instead developed into a genuine annual celebration of the city, its communities and the curious worldwide family of Birminghams.
Discover the story behind International Day of Birmingham
Welcome to The House That Brum Built
The centrepiece of 2026 is brilliantly titled The House That Brum Built.
For the first time, Birmingham’s magnificent Grade II-listed Council House will effectively become a temporary cultural palace.
If you’ve walked through Victoria Square hundreds of times but never ventured properly inside the building, this could be your opportunity.
Visitors will be able to explore ten rooms, each celebrating a different part of Birmingham life.
Expect food, music, art, film, poetry, comedy and history alongside the sort of wonderfully peculiar Brummie creations that may require a little more explanation if you’re visiting from elsewhere.
The idea is simple: rather than merely telling people why Birmingham is special, fill one of its grandest buildings with the people who make it special.
Grab your Brummie Passport
There is even a passport.
Visitors to the Council House will be able to pick up a specially created Brummie Passport, designed by Colour Palette Company and Draw My City artist Stacey Barnfield.
Then it’s time to explore.
As you make your way through the building, you’ll be able to collect stamps while discovering the different sides of Birmingham represented inside.
Think of it as international travel without leaving Victoria Square – and considerably less stressful than Birmingham Airport.
Some seriously impressive Brummies are involved
The line-up reads like a wonderfully eclectic Birmingham dinner party.
Among those taking part in this year’s celebrations are Birmingham Poet Laureate Ayan Aden, social historian Professor Carl Chinn, author and activist Kit de Waal, chef Glynn Purnell, artist Cold War Steve, comedian and actress Barbara Nice, creative director and film producer Trevor Beattie, subversive artist Fokawolf and papier-mâché artist and performer Tat Vision.
Artists, chefs, historians, comedians, musicians and creatives will all have their part to play.
And that’s really what makes IDOB interesting.
It isn’t simply about Birmingham’s landmarks. It’s about the characters behind the city.
Everyone together now: “Alright bab!”
One of the day’s most gloriously silly traditions is also returning.
The Flashbab will bring people together outside the Council House in Victoria Square for a communal cry of:
“ALRIGHT BAB!”
This year’s chant will be led by Birmingham’s Lord Mayor, Councillor Zaker Choudhry, alongside none other than Mr Egg, Birmingham’s unlikely unofficial mascot.
That will be followed by the ceremonial raising of the United States of Birmingham flag, accompanied by the International Day of Birmingham anthem.
Try explaining that to someone from Manchester.
Birmingham celebrating Birmingham
Behind the humour, however, there’s something rather lovely about the whole thing.
Birmingham has always been shaped by people arriving from different places and bringing their cultures, ideas, food, music and traditions with them.
International Day of Birmingham celebrates that diversity while simultaneously embracing the city’s own identity.
Lord Mayor Councillor Zaker Choudhry describes the event as an opportunity to celebrate Birmingham’s creativity, diversity, civic pride and strong sense of community, as well as its connections with other Birminghams around the world.
That’s perhaps why what began as an entertaining idea connected to a television programme seems to have found a life of its own.
And where’s Joe?
There is one slight complication.
The man who helped start the whole thing apparently won’t be there.
Lycett has announced, with characteristic mischief, that contractual commitments mean he’ll be spending International Day of Birmingham in what he describes as Britain’s second city – London.
Somehow, his absence feels entirely in keeping with the occasion.
THE BIRMINGHAM EDIT VERDICT
There’s a lot to like about a city willing to celebrate itself without taking itself too seriously.
International Day of Birmingham combines genuine civic pride with the humour, creativity, diversity and occasional eccentricity that make Birmingham what it is.
And in 2026, turning the Council House into The House That Brum Built takes the idea to another level.
Whether you’re Birmingham born and bred, moved here twenty years ago, arrived last week or simply love visiting the city, you’re invited.
Pick up your Brummie Passport. Explore the rooms. Discover something new. Meet the people behind the city.
And when the moment arrives, don’t be shy.
Alright bab!
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF BIRMINGHAM 2026
Thursday 24 & Friday 25 September 2026
The House That Brum Built – Birmingham Council House & city-wide locations
International Day of Birmingham – HERE
