September is almost upon us, and there’s a huge variety of things in store for you this month. With events for the whole family, there’s no excuse not to get involved. From exciting Folk festivals in the park, complete with arts and crafts, alongside immersive tours of iconic television sets, Birmingham is celebrating the end of summer in style. We’ve done the research, now all that’s left for you to do is keep reading and make an enviable calendar of social events. So, what are you feeling – blindfolded dining? Barbie wonderlands? Backstage tours?
Go backstage at The Alex
Coming up this month, we have the highly anticipated Birmingham Heritage Week, and one of their many events offers you the incredible opportunity to go backstage at one of the most historic theatres in the West Midlands.
Built in 1901, The Alexandra is a real icon of Birmingham, and what better way to celebrate it’s heritage than with a behind-the-scenes tour, getting a glimpse of the inner workings of the world of theatre? With this tour, guests will have the chance to see the dressing rooms that have hosted many a star, visit the backstage areas where the magic happens, and have your very own moment in the limelight when you step on the Alex’s breathtaking stage.
After the tour, you and your fellow guests can enjoy a drink in the theatre’s own luxurious Piano Bar, all included in the cost of your ticket – just £10! The tours are running throughout the day on the 15th of September, and the tickets are available to purchase here.
Suffolk, Queensway, Birmingham B5 4DS
Experience a new type of dining
Ever wondered what it’s like to be blindfolded in a restaurant while attempting to eat a three-course meal at the same time? In case that thought has ever crossed your mind, the much anticipated Dining in the Dark is coming to Birmingham’s Zen Metro this September 7th. Get ready to immerse yourself in one of the most unique dining experiences the city will have to offer.
Inviting you to explore the full potential of your taste buds, the idea behind Dining in the Dark is that we eat, largely, with our eyes. By enjoying the meal without using your sight, your other senses will be enhanced, elevating your taste to a whole other level. With an exclusive mystery menu curated especially for this event, including a vegan option, this is set to be a truly delicious evening.
Tickets for Dining in the Dark cost £60 – covering the entire cost of your selected three course meal in a multi-award winning Thai restaurant. This mysterious and interactive event is a true foodie experience not to be missed!
73 Cornwall St, Birmingham B3 2DF
Attend the launch of a brand new nightclub
This month, one of London’s most iconic nightclubs is headed to Birmingham. Known for hosting some of the world’s biggest and most talented DJs, as well as local artists, XOYO is a club that knows how to party. Aiming to ‘redefine the city’s nightlife experience’, XOYO will no doubt be a huge asset to Birmingham’s clubbing scene, promoting West Midlands talent as well as bringing some world-renowned DJs to the city.
XOYO have really been building the anticipation this past month, with posters reading ‘All we wanna do is dance’ appearing around the city centre. QR codes on the posters take you to the new XOYO Birmingham website, and there are also brand new social media pages for the venue – each offering their own hints and clues!
Though their exact location is still under wraps, you can stay in the loop by checking out their official website here. Judging by the countdown on their website, the nightclub will open on September 15th – though we’d all better keep an eye out for any more clues!
Enjoy a night with the Peaky Blinders
Dust off your flat caps and get your flapper dresses ready, and prepare to be transported back to the roaring 20s for a night of revelry, entertainment and nostalgia. Celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the show that put Birmingham on the map, with the return of the Black Country Living Museum’s Peaky Blinders Nights.
As if getting to immerse yourself in the historic streets of one of the show’s key sets wasn’t enough, guests can expect some truly brilliant entertainment from headliners Electric Swing Circus, offering a fusion of classy 20’s swing music and contemporary electro beats. In addition, Kal’s Kats will be offering a selection of jazz beats.
There will also be vintage fairground games, a wrestling show and a cabaret act, as well as a range of food and drink outlets. In addition, there will be Blue Plaques pointing out several iconic Peaky Blinders locations from the show – no doubt making for some epic photo opportunities!
The Peaky Blinders Nights return to Birmingham on Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd September, so get your costumes ready and book your tickets now!
Attend a festival in the park
If you’ve been keeping up with our previous monthly guides, you’ll know Birmingham is no stranger to a festival or two! And, you guessed it, September is no different – welcoming the 17th year of Moseley Park’s beloved festival.
Moseley Folk and Arts Festival is a family-friendly immersive festival, and will be held between 1st and 3rd September. Guests can expect the best of contemporary Folk music, Arts and Crafts in the stunning 11-acre woodlands of Moseley Park. With activities for all ages, this independently-run festival celebrates music, community and friendship, with a combination of unsigned acts and established international artists.
Described as one of the UK’s top 50 festivals by the Telegraph, this is definitely one you don’t want to miss – so get your tickets now, they’re going fast!
93B Alcester Rd, Birmingham B13 8DD
Join in with the Barbie fever
Barbie was released over a month ago now, but the hype is still very much going strong! If you can’t get enough of the Barbie fever, then this might be the perfect event for you.
Described as the ultimate ‘Barbie wonderland’, ‘The Barbie Brunch’ is coming to Wharfside Street in Birmingham City Centre for just two days this September. Get set to step into a world of pink and glamour, where you can expect entertainment, sing-alongs, trivia and themed cocktails – all for just £25. Guests are encouraged to dress in their ‘most glamorous, Barbie-inspired outfits’ – which I’m sure you already have fully prepared from Barbenheimer, am I right?
Your ticket includes brunch, lunch or dinner along with a themed welcome drink. And the best part? You can upgrade to bottomless drinks on the day for just £20 extra! I don’t know about you, but this sounds like the bottomless brunch of dreams to me – the perfect girls’ day out.
‘The Barbie Brunch’ is only here for the 16th and 17th of September, so make sure you don’t miss it!
Wharfside St, Birmingham, United Kingdom B1 1RS
Meet local beekeepers at a honey show
How about something to sweeten your September? Taking place in Birmingham’s beautiful Winterbourne Gardens for its 3rd year running, the Birmingham Honey Show celebrates all things bees and honey.
As part of Birmingham’s very own Heritage Open Days, guests can expect to see bees in glass observation hives, meet local beekeepers and attend live bee demonstrations – learning about conservation, the importance of beekeeping and bees in the environment. There will also be a variety of stalls, family-friendly activities, and plant sales.
And why not take advantage of your free entry and take a stroll through the stunning gardens themselves – well worth a visit on their own! With the site’s incredible Edwardian house open to visitors too, this event will certainly make for a great day out for the whole family. Taking place on the 9th and 10th of September, this is definitely a weekend for the diary.
