September might signal the end of summer, but Birmingham clearly hasn’t got the memo. The city and surrounding area are heading into autumn with a packed calendar of festivals, food, music, heritage, markets and some wonderfully unusual events.
Whether you’re looking for a free family day out, something different for the weekend or an excuse to rediscover the city, here are some of The Birmingham Edit’s picks for September 2026.
Moseley Folk & Arts Festival – 4th to 6th September
One of Birmingham’s best-loved festivals returns to the beautiful surroundings of Moseley Park for its 20th anniversary.
The three-day Moseley Folk & Arts Festival brings together music, comedy, arts and family entertainment in an 11-acre woodland setting just a couple of miles from the city centre.
This year’s line-up includes Kingfishr, Super Furry Animals, The Dead South, Frank Turner, The Wonder Stuff, Johnny Flynn and Katherine Priddy, alongside comedians including David O’Doherty and Mark Watson.
There are also workshops, storytelling, retro games and activities for younger festival-goers, making this much more than simply a weekend of live music.
FIND OUT MORE: HERE
Birmingham Heritage Week – 11th to 20th September
Think you know Birmingham? Birmingham Heritage Week may make you think again.
For ten days, buildings and spaces across the city open their doors, with tours, walks, exhibitions and special events revealing parts of Birmingham that many of us walk past every day without noticing.
Highlights include tours of historic buildings, Moseley Road Baths, Birmingham School of Art and School of Jewellery, visits to Tyseley rail depot and walks exploring Digbeth and the Jewellery Quarter.
There are even opportunities to discover some of Birmingham’s more unusual hidden spaces, including the areas beneath Spaghetti Junction.
Many events are free, although popular tours need to be booked in advance.
FIND OUT MORE: HERE
Royal Sutton Coldfield Food Festival – 11th to 13th September
Come hungry.
More than 100 traders are expected to fill The Parade for the Royal Sutton Coldfield Food Festival, bringing three days of street food, sweet treats, artisan produce and craft drinks.
Entry is free and there’ll also be live music and entertainment throughout the weekend, including some family-friendly surprises.
It makes a particularly good option if you fancy a relaxed afternoon grazing your way around the stalls rather than committing to a formal meal.
FIND OUT MORE: HERE
The Cat Show Live – 12th September
Cat people, this one’s for you.
The Cat Show Live returns to Birmingham’s NEC with more than 250 pedigree cats, talks from feline experts and a marketplace featuring over 100 stands.
It’s a celebration rather than a traditional competitive cat show, with everything from advice about behaviour and wellbeing to the latest cat products.
Organisers are expecting thousands of visitors, proving once again that Birmingham really does have an event for everyone.
FIND OUT MORE & BOOK: HERE
Brum Transport Fest – 18th September
Birmingham city centre becomes one enormous celebration of things that move when the brand-new Brum Transport Fest arrives.
More than 100 heritage vehicles are expected to feature alongside entertainment, speakers and family activities, with events centred around Victoria, Chamberlain, Hippodrome and Centenary Squares.
Better still, it’s free to attend.
Birmingham’s Midcentury Home Market – 20th September
For something a little more stylish, head to Digbeth for Birmingham’s Midcentury Home Market.
Expect vintage and mid-century furniture, interiors and homeware, making this one for anyone who prefers character and individuality to something straight off the high street.
Digbeth’s creative backdrop makes it a particularly good Sunday destination – with plenty of places nearby for coffee, food or a post-shopping drink.
International Day of Birmingham – 24th & 25th September
Few cities have reinvented themselves quite like Birmingham, and the International Day of Birmingham is a chance to celebrate the people, places and culture that make Brum what it is.
Events include performances, talks, activities around Victoria Square and the Council House, and appearances from Birmingham personalities and creatives.
It’s essentially a love letter to the city – and a fitting way to round off a September packed with reasons to get out and explore.
FIND OUT MORE: HERE
The Birmingham Edit Tip: Dates, availability and ticket arrangements can change, particularly for smaller events, so always check with organisers before travelling.
Make September a Birmingham Month
From folk music beneath the trees of Moseley Park and street food in Sutton Coldfield to vintage treasures in Digbeth and classic vehicles filling the city centre, September is shaping up to be a particularly good month to get out and experience Birmingham.
And perhaps that’s the best thing about the city’s events calendar – you don’t necessarily have to spend a fortune to enjoy it. Several of this month’s biggest events are completely free.
So grab the diary, message the group chat and start planning.
