International Day of Birmingham returns for third year - we're back bab!

Our 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 with a two day celebration titled "The House That Brum Built."

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, 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.”

IDOB passports, flashbab, anthem and ceremonial raising of the IDOB flag

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."

Stay tuned for details of the full International Day of Birmingham 2026 programme will be announced in the coming weeks.