The residents of Solihull enjoy a lot more than beautiful parks, high-end restaurants, and cosy night clubs; the city is also home to captivating art galleries, history ridden museums and entertaining annual events that attract hundreds of participants and spectators from within and outside the town. The borough’s proximity to Birmingham also means the locals get to enjoy most of the festivals and events taking place in and around the city. Below is an overview of some of the most celebrated annual events and festivals in and around Solihull, West Midlands:
Solihull Carnival
First celebrated in the 1930s, this festival is one of the oldest traditions in Solihull town. Organised by the so-called Shirley Round Table, the event features dozens of family-friendly attractions and activities including bouncy castles, live entertainment, parades, dance demonstrations, rides, mini quad racing and much more. The event takes place at the Tudor Grange Park in mid-June and attracts thousands of attendees every year.
Solihull Bonfire and Fireworks Extravaganza
Also organised by the Shirley Round Table, the Solihull Fireworks Extravaganza is the largest annual event of its kind in the town. The festival features a kid’s play area, funfair, food vendors, a giant bonfire and the ultimate event of the day-the blazing fireworks. All the proceeds of the event are donated back to the community to fund charitable organisations. The festival takes place in late October or early November.
Birmingham Weekender
Organised and hosted by the city of Birmingham, the Birmingham Weekender is a 3-day annual art fair that takes place in Digbeth. This early October event features all forms or artistic displays including dance, music, live performances, paintings, illustration, and photography among others. The Birmingham Weekender is currently one of the largest festivals of the arts within the city and its environs.
German Market
Billed as the oldest, largest and most authentic German Market in the UK and the largest market of its kind outside Germany and Austria, Birmingham’s German Market is an annual event you can’t afford to miss. The festival features all kinds of merchandise you could ever hope to find in a traditional German market including exotic German cuisines and beers. The market spans a period of one week in the days leading up to Christmas and attracts over 4 million visitors every year. The German market was originally intended to be a one-time affair, but its continued success over the years has made it one of the most loved annual events in West Midlands and beyond.
Other popular annual events and festivals near Solihull include St. George’s Day party, Birmingham International Carnival, Birmingham Tattoo, and Birmingham Comedy Festival.