Key Points
- The annual International Day of Birmingham expanded into a two-day event titled “The House That Brum Built,” held inside the Birmingham Council House.
- Festivities opened in Victoria Square with a “Flashbab,” where crowds joined the Lord Mayor and local mascot Mr Egg to shout “Alright bab” in unison.
- Ten rooms inside the Council House hosted local food, live music, comedy, film screenings, poetry readings, and a “Brummie Bazaar” artisan market.
- Visitors used a souvenir “Brummie Passport” to collect stamps in each room for entry into a raffle for merchandise and vouchers.
- The festival builds on the Friendship Agreements formed by comedian Joe Lycett in 2024 with other towns and cities named Birmingham worldwide.
- All proceeds from the non-profit event go directly to the Lord Mayor’s Charity, with management handled by a Community Interest Company.
Birmingham (Birmingham Express) September 29, 2026 — Organisers and civic leaders have hailed the third annual International Day of Birmingham (IDOB) as “a roaring show of unity and celebration” following two days of community festivities that transformed the heart of the city. Centred around the theme “The House That Brum Built”, the 2026 edition saw the city’s iconic Council House thrown open to thousands of residents and visitors, marking the largest iteration of the event since its inception.
The non-profit celebration, which runs every year on 24th September, expanded into a two-day schedule spanning Thursday 24th and Friday 25th September to accommodate an unprecedented lineup of cultural performances, heritage displays, and local enterprise showcases.
As reported by What’s On Live, the festivities formally began outside in Victoria Square with the ceremonial “Flashbab”. A crowd of hundreds assembled to yell the traditional greeting “Alright bab” in unison. The proceedings were officially led by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham alongside civic icon Mr Egg. Following the communal greeting, the flag of the United States of Birmingham was raised over the square while a ceremonial bugler played the official IDOB anthem, accompanied by the distribution of free Curly Wurly chocolates to attendees.
Writing for the IDOB official organisation, the event management team stated that “ten rooms across two days were handed over to a different corner of what makes this city worth shouting about: food, music, art, film, poetry, comedy, history, and the sort of thing that only makes sense if you’re from here”.
The Council House was configured to give the public access to areas usually restricted to official municipal functions. Every visitor entering the building was issued a souvenir “Brummie Passport” acting as a guide and activity card, with stamps awarded in each room leading to an entry into a raffle for Birmingham merchandise and vouchers.
According to reporting by Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, business leaders and cultural organisations turned out in force to back the event. The venue contained a “Brummie Bazaar” hosted in the Names Room by Birmingham Artisan Markets, while Nortons Digbeth managed a pop-up refreshment hub in the main Reception area.
Cultural heavyweights including the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) and the Birmingham Royal Ballet contributed special pop-up performances throughout the two-day takeover.
As reported by local news outlet Birmingham-Now, civic leaders emphasised the community spirit on display throughout the festival. Organisers confirmed that IDOB operates strictly as a Community Interest Company, with corporate support provided by the Beattie Foundation, Colmore Life, The Heath Bookshop, Hollywood Monster, Nortons Digbeth, UB40, and the University of Birmingham to ensure all raised funds benefit the Lord Mayor’s Charity.
What is the background to the International Day of Birmingham development?
The International Day of Birmingham concept originated in 2024 through an initiative spearheaded by Birmingham comedian and broadcaster Joe Lycett. Acting as the Lord Mayor’s chosen cultural ambassador, Lycett embarked on an effort to create official “Treaties of Friendship” with multiple towns, cities, and communities across the globe that share the name Birmingham—most notably locations across North America. This international alliance was dubbed the “United States of Birmingham”.
The inaugural event on 24th September 2024 was intended as a lighthearted civic prank, but it rapidly gained traction among local businesses, artistic institutions, and residents. The enthusiasm generated by the inaugural tie-up led civic leaders and local creators to establish the International Day of Birmingham as an annual fixture on the city’s official cultural calendar.
In 2025, the celebration solidified its structural foundation by forming an independent, non-profit Community Interest Company (CIC). This ensured that the event remained free or accessible to the public, insulated from commercial exploitation, and directly tied to fundraising for local charitable causes. The decision to host the 2026 event inside the Council House marked the first time the local government building was fully transferred to community groups and independent traders for a multi-day civic festival.
What does this development mean for the people, businesses, and cultural sectors of the West Midlands?
The expansion of the International Day of Birmingham into a multi-day civic landmark delivers tangible impacts across several key demographics in the West Midlands region:
- Local Residents and Communities: For residents, the festival provides free, open access to historic public architecture and high-tier cultural institutions like the CBSO and Birmingham Royal Ballet that can sometimes feel out of reach. The interactive elements, such as the Brummie Passport, foster civic pride and strengthen social cohesion across diverse postcodes.
- Independent Businesses and Artisans: Micro-businesses, local food producers, and independent artists benefit from direct footfall inside high-profile city-centre locations. The “Brummie Bazaar” provides direct revenue generation and brand exposure for local creators alongside major regional brands.
- The Visitor Economy and Tourism Sector: By formalising IDOB as a multi-day September event, tourism agencies like Visit Birmingham can market the city to regional and international visitors. The international links forged through the “United States of Birmingham” create long-term opportunities for cultural exchange, educational partnerships, and overseas tourism tie-ups.
- The Charitable and Voluntary Sector: With all event proceeds directed straight to the Lord Mayor’s Charity, the festival delivers direct financial support to grassroots charities operating across Birmingham, alleviating funding gaps for essential community services.
