Tag: events

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WHATS ON IN THE WEST MIDLANDS IN JUNE

June in the West Midlands is packed with an exciting mix of food festivals, live music, cool exhibitions and unique outdoor experiences, making it one of the best months to get out and explore! From street food takeovers and summer dining clubs to immersive exhibitions at the NEC and creative festivals across Birmingham and beyond, there’s something happening every weekend for families, friends and food lovers alike. Whether you’re planning big days out or spontaneous local adventures, this month is all about making the most of long days, warmer evenings and a seriously strong events calendar across the Midlands. Have an event this month and want to be featured? Please drop me a email – bababouttown@gmail.com

MARKETS

Thursday 4th June 2026 – Brindley Artisan Market from 11am – 3pm – Find more information here

Sunday 7th June – Lichfield Producers Market – from 10am – 4pm – Find more information here

Sunday 7th June – The Fort Artisan Market – from 11am – 5pm – Find more information here

Sunday 7th June – Longbridge Artisan Market – Find more information here

Saturday 14th June – Kings Heath Artisan Market – Find more information here

Sunday 14th June – Merry Hill Artisan Market – from 11am – 5pm – Find more information here

Saturday 20th June – Jewellery Quarter Artisan Market – Find more information here

Saturday 20th June 2026 – Harborne Market from 10am-3pm – Find more information here

Sunday 21st June – Bournville Artisan Market – Find more information here

Saturday 27th June – Warwick Market (Town Centre) from 9am – 3pm – Find more information here

Sunday 28th June – Record & Makers market in Brindleyplace from 9am – 4pm – Find more information here

FESTIVALS

Saturday 6th June – One Retreat Festival & Birmingham Artisan Market at Highbury Hall – OneRetreat brings together the best of the city’s wellness community for a celebration of movement, mindfulness and wellbeing – Buy your tickets here

Saturday 6th June and Sunday 7th June – Pursuits Festival Warwick – A two-day event that focuses on History & Literature, Music & Dance, Theatre & Art, and Sports & Wellbeing, which offers various activities for families to enjoy for free – More information here

Saturday 6th June – Frequency Festival at Luna Springs in Digbeth from 3:00PM – Frequency Festival returns to Birmingham for its biggest summer celebration yet, bringing a huge day of UK Garage, bass and dance music to Luna Springs in Digbeth. Tickets start from around £15, with the event running until midnight and last entry strictly before 8PM – Buy your tickets here

Wednesday 10th June – Friday 12th June – Birmingham Design Festival – A three day celebration of graphic, digital, and creative design, bringing together designers, artists, and industry leaders for talks, workshops, exhibitions, tours, and networking events across Birmingham city centre. Most daytime talks are free to attend (though you need to book tickets), while some workshops and the evening headline events are paid, with prices typically starting from around £15 – Find more information here

Saturday 13th June – Sunday 14th June – Leamington Peace Festival at the Pump Room Gardens -Two amazing days celebrating peace, hope, community, creativity, activism and connection in the heart of Leamington Spa – Find more information here

Saturday 20th June – Arts, Eats & Treats Festival – Returning to Victoria Park in Leamington Spa, Arts, Eats & Treats Festival celebrates creativity, food and family fun with artisan stalls, street food, live entertainment and local makers. This free event is perfect for all ages and makes for a brilliant summer day out – Find more information here

Saturday 20th June – Country Club Outdoor Country Music Festival at Luna Springs in Digbeth From 4:00PM – Saddle up for a huge country music day party as Country Club brings its outdoor festival back to Birmingham for a full Wild West takeover. Expect non-stop country anthems, line dancing, cowboy hat giveaways, street food, themed décor and festival vibes all day long, with music from artists including Luke Combs, Morgan Wallen, Dolly Parton, Shania Twain, Chris Stapleton and more. Tickets start from around £16, with the event running until 11:00PM and last entry at 8:00PM – Buy your tickets here

Sunday 21st June – Midsummer Festival at The Confetti Flower Fields – Wyke Manor Estate, Wick, Worcestershire – Celebrate the Summer Solstice surrounded by stunning blooms at The Confetti Flower Fields’ magical Midsummer Festival. Taking place at Wyke Manor Estate near Pershore, visitors can enjoy roaming musicians, enchanting fairies, professional storytelling, flower crown making, choir performances and plenty of picture-perfect moments amongst the flowers, making it a wonderful day out for families, friends and anyone looking to embrace the beauty of summer – Book your tickets here

FOODIE EVENTS

Available now – A Taste of Birmingham Food Tours in Birmingham City Centre – Discover Birmingham’s incredible food scene on this guided walking food tour as part of Birmingham Restaurant Festival’s curated series of culinary experiences. “A Taste of Birmingham” takes you through a handpicked selection of independent restaurants and eateries across the city centre and Jewellery Quarter, with multiple tasting stops, drinks and storytelling along the way – Buy your tickets here

Saturday 6th June – Barton Marina Dining Club – Head to Barton Marina for a day of street food, drinks, and live entertainment as Digbeth Dining Club brings some of the region’s best independent food traders to the waterfront – Book your tickets here

Saturday 13th June – Walsall Dining Club – Digbeth Dining Club returns to Walsall Arboretum with a fantastic selection of award-winning street food vendors, craft drinks, and family-friendly entertainment at Walsall Arboretum – Book your tickets here

Thursday 18th June – Sunday 21st June – Good Food Show Summer and BBC Gardeners World Live at NEC Birmingham – The Good Food Show Summer returns to the NEC for four days of foodie inspiration, live cooking demos, tastings and shopping from some of the UK’s best chefs, producers and brands. Expect celebrity appearances, hands-on workshops, seasonal recipe ideas and plenty of opportunities to discover new flavours and kitchen inspiration, all under one roof – Book your tickets here

Saturday 27th June – Sutton Coldfield Dining Club – Bringing its popular street food festival to Sutton Coldfield Rugby Club, Digbeth Dining Club offers an afternoon packed with delicious eats, refreshing drinks, and a buzzing community atmosphere – Book your tickets here

SUMMER PARTIES/FUN EVENTS

Friday 5th June – Bingo Lingo at Luna Springs in Digbeth From 6:30PM – Get ready for a chaotic night of bingo, dance-offs, outrageous prizes and non-stop party vibes as Bingo Lingo returns to Digbeth for its popular Courtyard Summer Series – Buy your tickets here

Saturday 6th June – The Old Crown in Digbeth Summer Launch Party – Massive garden party with DJS, street food, and cocktails – Free entry – More information here

Friday 19th June – Bingo Lingo at Luna Springs in Digbeth From 6:30PM – Get ready for a chaotic night of bingo, dance-offs, outrageous prizes and non-stop party vibes as Bingo Lingo returns to Digbeth for its popular Courtyard Summer Series – Buy your tickets here

Wednesday 24th June – Bingo Bab: A Charity Bingo Night with Barbara Nice at Herbert’s Yard, Longbridge | From 6:00PM – 10:00PM – Get ready for a brilliantly chaotic night of bingo, laughs and incredible prizes as the iconic Barbara Nice returns to host Bingo Bab at Herbert’s Yard. Expect three rounds of bingo alongside singalongs, spot prizes and plenty of audience antics, with everything from cash prizes to quirky household goodies up for grabs – Buy your tickets here

Friday 26th June – Heated Rivalry Fest at Luna Springs – Digbeth From 6:00PM – Inspired by the viral TV show and bestselling book phenomenon, Heated Rivalry Fest brings a huge outdoor summer celebration to Digbeth with DJs, drag performances, pop and queer anthems, themed décor, quizzes, lookalike competitions and plenty of fan-favourite moments throughout the night – Book your tickets here

THEATRE/SHOWS

Tuesday 2nd June to Saturday 13th June – Derren Brown Only Human Live show at Birmingham Hippodrome – Buy your tickets here

Tuesday 2nd June to Saturday 6th June – ANNIE at The Alexandra theatre – Buy your tickets here

Friday 19th June to Saturday 20th June – Birmingham Royal Ballet 20th Century Masterpieces at Birmingham Hippodrome – Buy your tickets here

Friday 26th June – Lily Allen West End Girl Show at BP Pulse Live from 7.30pm – Buy your tickets here

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Friday 5th June – Reloved Birmingham In Harborne Pre-loved Fashion show from 7-9pm – Ticketed event and you can purchase your ticket at their store for £10 – You will also be able to browse and shop till you drop, with market stalls in store too, on the evening and an auction themed section, to sell off the modelled items – Buy your tickets here

Sunday 7th June – Leamington Half Marathon – Taking runners through the beautiful streets and green spaces of Leamington Spa, the Leamington Half Marathon returns for another year of community spirit and fundraising – 8am from 1pm – More information here

Saturday 20th June – International Yoga day at Pump Room Gardens in Leamington Spa – Relieve some stress, train your mind and learn about how Yoga can help you! – Free event – More information here

Sunday 21st June – Free Father’s Day Yoga with IamYogi at Alfred Works – Celebrate Father’s Day with a calming and uplifting outdoor yoga session hosted by IamYogi, designed as a relaxed community class to help you unwind, stretch and reset in nature. This free session is open to all levels, making it perfect whether you’re a regular yogi or just looking for a gentle way to spend time outdoors with friends or family on Father’s Day – Book your session here

Saturday 27th June – Everything Digbeth Summer market – Zellig presents: Everything Digbeth Summer Market, in collaboration with Alfred Works.Expect a vibrant summer market throughout the Zellig building, packed with independent traders, local fashion, handmade finds, and one-of-a-kind pieces from some of the best small businesses in Digbeth, Birmingham and beyond – Sign up for a ticket here

Sunday 21st June – Knowle 750th Birthday Street Party & Market – Celebrate Knowle’s remarkable 750-year history with a special community street party and market featuring local traders, entertainment and family-friendly activities – More information here

Friday 26th June – Pilates & Pizza Night at RM Pilates Studios in Digbeth – 6:30PM | £30pp – An evening combining movement and indulgence, Pilates & Pizza Night at RM Pilates Studios offers a 50-minute reformer Pilates session followed by freshly served pizzas in the studio. Designed as a social wellness experience, it’s a relaxed way to unwind at the end of the week, whether you’re going with friends or trying something new on your own – Book your session here

COOL EVENTS

Wednesday 10th June to Sunday 19 July 2026 – Titanic Exhibition: Birmingham at NEC Birmingham – Step inside one of history’s most iconic stories at the Titanic Exhibition as it returns to the NEC for a powerful, immersive experience. Visitors can explore detailed recreations, original artefacts and interactive displays that bring the ship’s journey to life, from its construction and luxury interiors through to its final voyage and tragic sinking. The exhibition also includes passenger stories, historical objects recovered from the wreck site, and immersive experiences such as boarding passes linked to real individuals on board, making it a moving and educational day out for all ages – Book your tickets here

Wednesday 17th June – Stirchley Open Cinema x PLONK screening of The Big Lebowski from 7pm – Buy your tickets here

Wednesday 17th June – Cotswolds Lavender farm opens – More information here

Friday 19th June – Sunday 13th September – Tutankhamun: The Immersive Exhibition at NEC Birmingham – Step into Ancient Egypt at the NEC as the award-winning Tutankhamun: The Immersive Exhibition arrives in Birmingham for a limited summer run. This large-scale experience takes visitors on a 90-minute journey through the life, death and legacy of the King, blending authentic artefacts, detailed replicas, 360° projections, VR experiences and a digital metaverse walkthrough of the Valley of the Kings – Book your tickets here

Categories
Birmingham Guide lifestyle

BAB ABOUT TOWNS GUIDE TO CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS IN BIRMINGHAM AND BEYOND

Quite frankly organising Christmas parties can be a merry little pain in the ass from finding numbers to losing the numbers last minute as there is always a last-minute scrooge that dips out of the Christmas party. From having 50 bloody tabs open to searching deep into the Google lagoon of “Christmas parties in Birmingham” ending up on page 25 with Weatherspoons being a possible contender – Don’t let it be a contender. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could have what’s going on in Birmingham at Christmas all in one place? Well, just call me Bab Claus because I have created a little guide for you to book your Christmas shenanigans from pulling crackers over a three-course meal to wearing your best frock and hanging out of a dodgem with a bottle of Moet. This is your guide to getting festive AF bab.

PLEASE NOTE: ALL PHOTOS ARE NOT MINE – Photos have been credited to whom they belong to.

CHRISTMAS PARTIES

Rio Carnival 2021 THE NEC
The Edgbaston Stadium

THE NEC – ASPEN ROCKS 2022 – Entertainment, Four course meal, DJ and dancefloor- Minimum booking requirement of 8 guests- Tickets available now purchase here

EDGBASTON STADIUM – Hollywood Glitz & Glamour – Live entertainment, three course meal, late bar until 1am – Group bookings are welcome – Tickets available now purchase here

LIBRARY OF BIRMINGHAM – Peaky vs Gatsby -DJ & Disco, Three course meal – Group bookings are welcome – Tickets available now purchase here

ASTON VILLA PARK – Variety of themed Christmas party nights – three course meal – After dinner DJ & Disco – Tickets available now purchase here

THE BELFRY SUTTON COLDFIELD – Great Gatsby Party – Three course meal – Live entertainment – Enquire now about your Christmas party

PARK REGIS BIRMINGHAM – Sparkling reception – 3 course meal – DJ – Enquire now about your Christmas party

ALOFT HOTEL/EASTSIDE ROOMS – The Greatest Christmas – Three course meal – Greatest show performance throughout dinner – Live band – Disco and DJ – Enquire now

MORE CHRISTMAS PARTIES

HYATT HOTEL- BIRMINGHAM – Party packages from £54 pp

BOTANICAL GARDENS – BIRMINGHAM -Awaiting Christmas events

MILLENNIUM POINT – BIRMINGHAM – Party packages from £40 – Dinner Dance Party Night – Festive Food and Film Party

WEST MIDLAND SAFARI PARK – Variety of Christmas events from themed nights from ABBA to Bavarian from £40

CHRISTMAS MEALS – SOMETHING SPECIAL

GAUCHO
CRAFT DINING ROOM

THE GRAND HOTEL – Three course luxury lunch or Dinner – £45 or £65 depends on what menu you choose -Private dining for groups of six – Includes Christmas crackers and a glass of champagne – Book now

HOTEL DU VIN – Add a special touch to your event and dine in one of Hotel Du Vins unique private dining rooms and enjoy a delicious three course meal from £34.95 – Book now

RESTAURANT AT THE WOODS – Christmas At The Woods is unlike any other. Picture walking through the wardrobe and into the magical Christmas land of Narnia this Christmas. Their Christmas specials menu will be arriving shortly. However for Office parties and Christmas gatherings they have two menus available here.

LOVE LIFE – DIGBETH -Available from 28th November to Christmas Eve, Indulge in their authentic Mediterranean-inspired festive menu with seasonal cocktails. Lovelife invite guests to enjoy & explore their Festive Menu with 2-courses for £30 or 3-courses for £35 per person. Book your Christmas meal at Lovelife here

HAMPTON MANOR – Offering five different dining experiences this christmas -From festive lunches to private dining experiences for 10-16 guests with your very own chef and Host – Enquire about your experience now at Hampton Manor

SMOKE – Christmas Eve lunch at Smoke – Join Stu Deeley and the team at Smoke for lunch on Christmas Eve. Enjoy four-courses, including a la carte options like a proper beef wellington served up with madeira jus, and plenty of Stus legendary boulangère potatoes from £180.00 – Book your Christmas Eve lunch here

LE PETIT BOIS – Festive new menu, choose from a great variety of delicious dishes such as their Venison Bourguignon or Ballotine of Turkey – Book your Christmas meal at Le Petit Bois in Moseley.

CHAKANA – Embark on a culinary journey with a set menu at Chakana in Moseley! Discover the exquisite SEA BREAM CEVICHE, a burst of fresh flavors that will awaken your palate, followed by a mouthwatering roast turkey adorned with all the festive trimmings. Chakana’s carefully curated set menu ensures a delightful dining experience that captures the essence of Peruvian cuisine at Christmas. Book your Christmas meal at Chakana.

VERBENA – 5 course Festive menu with a welcome drink included – £45pp – Book your Christmas meal at Verbena in Stirchley

KOI KI HARBORNE – A range of “Wave” menus available staring from £34.95 for set menus and can range up to £64.95 – perfect for large groups – Book your Christmas meal at Koi Ki

ISSACS – Enjoy a traditional Christmas set menu at Issacs – 2 courses for £28pp or 3 courses for £35pp – Book your Christmas meal at Issacs

NOELS – Festive 3 course dinner for £34.95 and Festive lunch is also available – Private dining options are available – Book your Christmas meal at Noels

REVOLUCION DE CUBA – Festive Brunch from £30 pp or 2/3 course Christmas meal from £24.95 – Suitable for groups – book your christmas meal now

CHAPTER – Three courses for £50 – Lunch & dinner menu – November 28th to December 22nd – Book your Christmas meal here

JUJUS CAFE – Four course Christmas party menu for £27 – Available from 21st November to 24th December – Book your Christmas meal here

ASHAS – Variety of Christmas party packages on offer from Silver to Platinum food sharing packages from £36.95 – Book your Christmas experience at Ashas n ow

DIRTY MARTINI – Serving up a variety of Christmas festivities from Christmas brunches from £35 to Christmas platters priced at £25 pp for your party – Book your festive package with Dirty Martini

LASAN – Festive three Course £45.95 per person or Four Course £49.95 per person -Glass of bubbly on arrival for extra £5.50 – Book your Christmas meal at Lasan

THE ROLLING MILL – 2 courses for £26.96 and 3 courses £35.00 – To book email Info@therollingmill.co.uk and visit their website here

THE CANAL HOUSE – Christmas party dining – 2 courses for £27.95 or 3 courses for £34.95 – menu available from 21st November to 24th December for groups of 6 or more – Private dining space is available – Book your Christmas meal now with The Canal House

BROWNS – 3 course festive menu from £29 for your whole party to enjoy – Available from 17th November – 31st December 2021- Book your Christmas meal at Browns

LOST & FOUND – Canapés to welcome your guests – A delicious three-course menu for £34.95 – Private dining available – Book your Christmas meal at Lost & Found

BODEGA – Seat and feed up to 60 people in their private bar, ‘The Sugarloaf’ offering all guests a tasty three-course meal full of the delights of south American cuisine – Can provide a Cocktail Masterclass offering guests the chance to learn, sample, and enjoy the art of cocktail making with some of the best bartenders in Birmingham – Christmas buffet is also available – Enquire about your Christmas party with Bodega

THE ALCHEMIST – 2 or 3 course menu with cocktail included from £32 – Available from 21st November – 24th December – Book your Christmas meal with The Alchemist

MORE SUGGESTIONS

Marco Pierre White Streakhouse, Bar & Grill

EN STEAK – THE MAILBOX

BUNDOBUST – BIRMINGHAM

SABAI SABAI Birmingham

THE BOTANIST

BANK Birmingham

THE BUTTON FACTORY -Jewellery Quarter

THE JAM HOUSE – Jewellery Quarter

TURTLE BAY

THE VICTORIA – Birmingham

THE ROSE VILLA TAVERN – Jewellery Quarter

MOOR HALL HOTEL – Sutton Coldfield

THE JUNCTION – Harborne

THE HIGHFIELD – Edgbaston

CHRISTMAS AFTERNOON TEA

CHRISTMAS WORKSHOPS

CHRISTMAS SHOWS & FILM EVENTS

MEAL & REEL AT THE MAC BIRMINGHAM: ELF. -More family friendly Reel & Meal delights, but this time with a festive twist, courtesy of Christmas classic Elf. Ticket start from £16.00 and event is on Saturday 23rd December. Book your tickets here

CHRISTMAS GROUP ACTIVITIES-SOMETHING DIFFERENT

Roxy Ball Room in Digbeth

GHETTO GOLF – 18 uniquely twisted golf holes with various packages pricing from £18pp that includes Cocktails, shots, food and more – Suitable for groups – Book your Christmas celebrations with Ghetto Golf

ROXY BALLROOM – Festive feast plus two free drinks for £28 pp – £5 extra for a bellini reception – Great for groups – add on bowling or beer pong – Book your festive package with Roxy Ballroom

THE BOX – BRINDLEYPLACE – There’s no better place to spend the holiday season in Birmingham than at BOX, your favourite place to WATCH, PLAY and PARTY. They are the ultimate festive destination whether getting together with your mates over a game of shuffleboard or for a big Christmas night out in Birmingham.Festive Bottomless brunch is available priced at £37.95. – Book your experience with BOX now

THE GLEE CLUB – Birmingham Christmas Comedy Specials at The Glee Club offer you a superb atmosphere with four top stand-up comedians and an after party to keep celebrations going into the night – You can book tickets now

FIGHT CLUB – Darts and cocktails – Add some joy to your festive celebrations with a cocktail or two (or three) and a bit of friendly competition – Book your experience with Fight Club

MORE SUGGESTIONS

LUNA SPRINGS

TONIGHT JOSEPHINE

CHRISTMAS NIGHTS AT THE BLACK COUNTRY MUSEUM

LIGHT TRAIL AND VARIOUS CHRISTMAS EVENTS AT WARWICK CASTLE

Categories
Birmingham Guide

BAB ABOUT TOWNS GUIDE TO SUMMER EVENTS IN BIRMINGHAM AND BEYOND

It seems like Winter has been forever, ever since the pandemic hit last year we have had to wave goodbye to Summer events such as music festivals but now it looks like Summer will be returning. You will see all over social media that there is a swarm of summer events popping up from foodie festivals to Pride. Yes, Summer is back baby! So I have put together a little guide full of fantastic events that are taking place in Birmingham and beyond this Summer.

I will continue to update this blog post with new events, I am still waiting on a few to confirm but when they do I’ll make sure to pop them on, don’t forget to subscribe for updates!

JUNE 2021 EVENTS

ALFRESCO FEST AT THE ORANGERY

Available to book now from Apil-June 2021 – Ipsley – Redditch

The Orangery in Redditch have launched their fantastic alfresco experiences, introducing ALFRESCOfest a beautiful botanical festival full of botanical themed cocktails and tasty tapas taking place in an enchanted garden. Tickets are on sale now and you can book out the cute potting sheds or greenhouses. You can book your tickets here

ADVENTURE CINEMA AT AVERY FIELDS

11th – 12th June 2021 – Avery Fields – Birmingham – Tickets one sale now

This is the greatest show! An amazing Sing-A-Long outdoor cinema experience at Avery Fields in Birmingham on 11th June 2021 with a showing of the movie that has sold out cinemas all over the world and what about a classic? Dirty Dancing will be showing on 12th June 2021. You can book your tickets here

BIG FOOT FESTIVAL

18th-20th June at Ragley Hall In Warwickshire.

Big Foot Festival is a three day summer music festival celebrating the best in music, food and beer. The line up is pretty class with big bands such as Primal Scream headlining along with an incredible line up of street food and craft beer. Tickets on sale now and can be purchased here

FOODIES FESTIVAL AT CANNON HILL PARK

25th-27th June 2021 – Cannon Hill Park – Birmingham

The UK’S largest food and drink festival is back this year in Cannon Hill Park with top Chefs serving up some insanely good food, live music and fun activities to be enjoyed by the whole family! Currently awaiting more information however you can check for all updates here

JULY 2021 EVENTS

BEER CENTRAL FESTIVAL-MOVED TO 17TH AND 28TH SEPTEMBER

2nd-3rd July 2021-The Mill in Digbeth

The Craft beer festival, Beer Central is returning to Birmingham this year to bring the best in beer, food, and music. You can expect over 30 word-class breweries such as Attic Brew Co and Digbrew Co, and lets not forget the awesome goodie line up including Dishoom, Baked in Brick and more. You can buy your tickets here

BURGER FEST

3rd July 2021 – Aston Hall – Birmingham – Tickets on sale now

For all you burger lovers out there this festival is for you, Introducing Seasonal Markets Burger Fest that is taking place at Aston Hall this year. The line up is one not to miss with Flying Cows, Libertine Burger, Yardbirds and newcomers such as Meat Meets Bun and more! Live bands and DJ sets aswell as cocktails, beer and more will be flowing through out the day, DON’T MISS OUT! Purchase your tickets here

COLMORE FOOD FESTIVAL

3rd-4th July 2021– Colmore Row

Colmore Food Festival is an annual celebration of Colmore Business District restaurants, bars, cafes and hotels, attracting more than 30,000 visitors. Awaiting more information about this event to be confirmed please refer to Visit Birminghams website for updates here

BIRMINGHAM COFFEE FESTIVAL-CANCELLED

3rd-4th July 2021 – The Custard Factory – Digbeth

This one is for all you coffee lovers out there! The Birmingham Coffee Festival is back, these two days will bring together the top 40 independent coffee shops and coffee culture experiences from the local area and beyond. Tickets are £8 online (£10 on the door) and you get a cute coffee tote bag included! Head on over to their website here to purchase your tickets

LICHFIELD MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL

8th-18th July 2021– Lichfield town centre

The Lichfield Festival is hoping to return this year inspiring multi-arts experiences for anyone and everyone in the Midlands and beyond. Full of amazing performances and activities for the whole family to enjoy running from 8th to 18th July 2021. You can find more information about the festival here

MOSTLY JAZZ FUNK & SOUL FESTIVAL

9th-11th July 2021 – Moseley Park – Birmingham

A 3-day celebration of Jazz, Funk & Soul in Moseley Park, expect amazing live performances from The Wailers, Neneh Cherry and more. Tickets are on sale now but they are selling quickly! You can purchase your tickets here

GIN AND RUM FESTIVAL

16th-17th July 2021 – Edgbaston Cricket Club – Birmingham

The Uk’s biggest Gin & Rum Festival is touring across the UK and coming to Birmingham. Sample and discover new favourites from hand-picked guest distillers, treat yourself at their themed gin and rum bars and let your hair down with your friends! Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased here

IBIZA PROMS IN THE PARK

22nd July 2021 – Tudor Grange Park – Solihull – Tickets on sale now

Classic Ibiza anthems performed by a 50 piece live Orchestra at Tudor Grange Park in Solihull. Awaiting further information but priority tickets are now on sale and can be brought here

COVENTRY FOOD FESTIVAL

23rd-25th July 2021-Coventry Town Centre

The Coventry festival is returning this year celebrating all things food, drink and culture. Celebrity chefs will be showcasing their cooking skills, fantastic street food will be available and live music. The Festival is free and you can find more information here

GOOD TIMES FESTIVAL

24th July 2021 – Mill Gardens – Leamington Spa – Tickets on sale now

Lets welcome Summer events back, while making great memories with Friends and Family. The theme of this one day festival is to have a GOOD TIME while supporting local performers, food vendors, and drink suppliers. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased here

SOLIHULL SUMMER FESTIVAL

24th and 25th July 2021 – Tudor Grange Park – Solihull – Tickets on sale now

The Solihull Summer Fest returns for its 5th year running on the 24th – 25th July 2021. A 2 day festival in the heart of Solihull with a diverse mix of genres across the weekend. Summer Fest has previously featured The Human League, Level 42, The Vamps, UB40, Busted, The Proclaimers, Sister Sledge, Razorlight, 10cc, Scouting for Girls, Feeder and many more star-studded names. Each day runs from 12 midday until 10.30pm with live music, street food vendors, bars, entertainment and an exclusive VIP area. You can buy tickerts here

AUGUST 2021 EVENTS

WARWICK FOOD FESTIVAL

1st August 2021– Market Place- Warwick – Free Entry

The Warwick Food Festival is back, come and join in the celebration of the best in local food and drink. There’ll be around 100 traders cooking up a variety for you all to try aswell as bars and produce exhibitors. Live music will be on through out the day and if you head to the website here you can see what traders you’ll find there, great event for the whole family, don’t miss it!

THE INDEPENDENT BIRMINGHAM FESTIVAL

14th-15th August 2021– Aston Hall – Birmingham – SOLD OUT

The Independent Birmingham Festival At Aston Hall Returns bringing you an amazing line up of Brum’s very best restaurants and street food traders serving delicious food all weekend long, washed down with craft beers, delicious cocktails, and natural wine from Birmingham’s finest bars and microbreweries. For more information head on over to their website here

SEPTEMBER 2021 EVENTS

MOSELEY FOLK & ARTS FESTIVAL

3rd-5th September 2021 – Moseley Park – Birmingham

The Moseley Folk & Arts is a family-friendly music festival with a great mix of traditional, contemporary and downright experimental folk and acoustic music. Live performances from amazing artists and bands such as The Waterboy’s, Frank Turner and Richard Hawley. Tickets are now available to purchase here

MIDLANDS WHISKY FESTIVAL

11th September 2021 – The Studio – Cannon Street – Birmingham

Any whisky fans out there? This festival is definitely for you! celebrating 10 years of Midlands Whisky Festival at the Studio on Cannon Street in Birmingham. Sample 400+ whiskies paired up with some delicious food such as cheese, cured meats and more! Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased here

LEAMINGTON SPA FOOD FESTIVAL

11th-12th September 2021 – Pump Room Gardens – Leamington Spa

Leamington Spa food festival is returning this year with live kitchen with local chefs showcasing their culinary skills as well as live music, plenty of street food vendors serving up awesome food and plenty of fun for the whole family. This is a free event and you can check out their website here for more information

SOLIHULL FOOD AND DRINK FESTIVAL

24th-26th September 2021 – Mell Square – Solihull

Bringing a huge selection of food and drink traders in the town centre, you will be spoilt for choice with the best of worldwide cuisine. There will be family entertainment, the much-loved demo kitchen with local celebrity chefs showcasing their cookery skills, and live music. For more information head on over to the Solihull Bid website here

BIRMINGHAM PRIDE FESTIVAL

25th-26th September 2021– Birmingham Gay Village – Birmingham

Yas Bab, Pride is back!
Welcoming all to our LGBTQ village, Pride is going to be quite big this year with live performances by Cheryl, Katy B and more! There will be four stages and tickets are selling fast. There will also be a community event on Friday (24th) that is free and will include community stalls, street food, keynote speakers and more! You can buy tickets here

Categories
lifestyle

HAPPY ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY BAB ABOUT TOWN

So it’s been a year today since I hit that publish button on my blog, I was a complete nervous wreck, I had to change my top twice as I was sweating like a sweating like a nun in a field of cucumbers and I consumed a whole tub of Marks and Spencer’s spicy chicken wings (no regrets) It’s funny because now I look back and think why the hell did I not do this earlier? Its been a hell of a journey and with this post, I want to be a little bit more open with you all, as to why I started this blog and what I have achieved from blogging.

BEFORE BAB ABOUT TOWN


Since the age of ten, I have also had an interest in writing, the number of stories I have written all crammed into my closet is crazy, many girls collect shoes, I collect scripts. My love for writing suddenly was put to the back of the mind when I was nineteen and was in a serious relationship. One thing I have learned from relationships is that love does distract us from our passions in life, sometimes we don’t notice because we are so wrapped up in love or the idea that we are in love. Suddenly my life was almost planned out for me, work in courts, marriage, kids and growing old together with my Ex. I do remember wanting to do the blog when I was in a relationship but as the years passed I seemed to lose a lot of confidence in myself and just cancelled out that dream.

I would call myself a bit of loner because I liked going out a lot on my own with my camera, taking pictures of Birmingham, it was sort of therapy for me really, creating a world that was in my mind that really, I wanted to live in, so weird because even in a relationship, I still felt very alone.

Due to the breakdown of my relationship, it sent me in a deep depression for months, the worse thing I did was hide it and that is the worse thing you can do when you are feeling down. I would say, I was punishing myself for the breakup, I stopped believing in myself, I was a complete NOB to myself and it was like my mind was bullying my body 24/7. It’s hard to look back because I look at that depressed Girl and God, I feel so sorry for her. I remember sitting in my room one night thinking “You either stop moaning and kill yourself or you get some balls and live your life to the fullest” Just like that, I did the sulking, I did all the crying in the world and I got some balls and wrote a list of things I wanted to achieve before thirty. Of course, getting over/dealing with depression is not as easy as that, it took a lot of time to finally forget the negative and focus on the positive, I really owe it to my friends and family who provided me with a blanket of love and support through such a horrible time.

WHY I STARTED BAB ABOUT TOWN


“Start a blog” was on my list to do before turning 30 so, I did some research and I went on Twitter and got some advice on how I could put together a blog. What was it going to be about? well, I thought I love photographing and talking about Birmingham, so why not combine them together and create a blog based on my City with reviews, beautiful photography and Brummie banter, I love my City and so, I wanted my readers to fall in love with Birmingham like me. People who know me well, know I am a bit of a Gobshite, so if I was going to put together a blog it had to be honest, true and pure Amy, The Amy who doesn’t think before she speaks, shouts Balls all the time and talks about how fucked up vaginas are. I remember drafting up my first post and thinking why would anyone read this? but then I thought well at least I’m going to give it a go and say at least I tried.

To be totally honest with you I think well, I know! I definitely underestimated the blog and myself. I thought maybe I will do this for a couple of weeks, maybe months and then get bored of it or just think no one is reading it so what’s the point? However as I kept up my writing and documenting my way through Birmingham and posting it on the blog/social media, I started to get followers, subscribed readers, business contacts regarding promotional/PR collaborations for the blog and invites to new business openings in and out of Birmingham, that is bloody crazy. The weirdest thing is going out in Birmingham and to have someone come up to you asking if your Bab about Town and then proceed to talk about your blog like your some big shot, That is bizarre to me, but its a nice bizarre! It just makes me think wow, people like you, they like your blog, your writing is actually interesting…Now, how the fuck do I become a millionaire from this?! 😛

WHAT HAVE I LEARNED?


The main lesson I have learnt from Bab about Town is don’t be afraid and it’s never too late to achieve what you want in life. Why do we think of the negative before the positive? Sometimes you just got to tell that negativity in you to shut the fuck up and take a backseat because I remember all the negative thoughts on this day last year and all I can say is MAHA MOTHERFUCKER! Honestly is important in the blogging game, I panic if I have attended a venue or if I’m tasting out a new menu and it’s not up to scratch but you have to be honest, and there’s the disrespectful way or the professional way, A lot of people rely on me, to tell the truth, and I have always said that my blog will always be open and honest to my readers. Another lesson is that blogging is not easy, you can write a post about pretty much anything but it needs to grab readers, lucky for me I am a photographer and I do use a lot of photography to lure the reader into my blog posts but obviously, your words need to match. I am always researching, educating myself and not many people know that I am dyslexic. I’ll put a sentence together in my head and when it comes to writing it down, it makes no sense. I can sometimes sit on a sentence for 30 minutes, trying to work out if it makes sense or not, so this is something I am still learning to deal with but it never stopped me from blogging.

ADVICE FOR PEOPLE WANTING TO GET INTO BLOGGING?


The best advice I can give is to be consistent, be true and remember to give yourself the credit you deserve once in a while because you bloody deserve it. It’s a tough world out there and starting this blog up when I was in two minds of ending life completely proved how strong I am, we all go through a rough patch in life and you either go forward or shutdown, I chose to go forward and use that negatively in my life to push forward and strive for positively in life. I know your probably thinking who the hell does this girl think she is, Jesus Christ or something but honestly, what I am telling you, it works, I am the proof in the pudding baby.

WHATS NEXT?


More content, more reviews, more laughs and more bad bitch vibes of course. My life is about to get REAL, maybe I am a bit behind in getting a house etc but I needed to do this before jumping into the serious stuff. How can anyone fall in love with you when you haven’t got love for yourself? 2020 has been a bloody bizarre year but I have made sure I have given myself the love I need, that lead to more people falling in love with me and the blog. The blog has helped me to grow up, and the girl last year to the woman now I don’t know at all, no confidence, always putting herself down. This blog post is quite emotional for me because it’s kind of saying goodbye to that person, it sounds morbid but it’s almost like putting her to sleep…
Who knows what will happen next? but I can only see Bab about Town growing and getting bigger, I have worked really hard on this blog and I will continue to work hard and remember to give myself a bit of loving and credit that I deserve now and again. You never know, I might have a sodding book by next year?! I might even be a Victoria Secret Model…Well, anything is possible if you got enough nerve right? the only thing is stopping you is you, and like I said before, sometimes you just got to tell the fear in you to shut the fuck up.

Thank you to everyone who’s believed in me, friends, family, and people who don’t even know me but saw the potential, really thank you. Its been a crazy and exciting journey, and I can’t wait to celebrate with you all next year!

Much love
BAB x