Congratulations to all you new university students! Now that the hard work is done, and you’re all packed, it’s time to have fun. With Birmingham being the second largest city in the UK, and the city with the youngest population, there are so many events to attend during your freshers week. And with lockdown in a thing of the past (fingers crossed), this year will be even more of a crazy week than usual. So first, second, AND third years, it’s time to have the party of your life.
Saturday 17th – The Grand Opening
It’s your first night as a student in Birmingham, so it’s about time that you get some rivalries going. With BCU and UCB both wrapping up their freshers weeks, and UoB, Aston, and Newman all beginning theirs, this night out is likely to be the biggest university crossover event of the year. At The Mill in Digbeth, the opening party for 3 out of 5 unis will also be the closing event for the rest of them, so of course they have to create a Battle of the Unis. Get ready for games and competitions, where you’re repping your team the entire night, as well as listening to the best tunes to really start the week off right.
Sunday 18th – Welcome to Birmingham
This Sunday is going to be a loud one, with welcome to uni and moving in parties all around the city centre. For a unique night out, go for the Official Moving in Party at Ball Park. The venue has beer pong, games, and most importantly a MASSIVE ball pit. If you fancy a more classic Birmingham experience, get yourself down to Snobs for their Freshers Welcome Party, and learn why everyone in this city has their own Snobs story. Prefer to roll the dice? Well the Freshers House Party by Project X has a secret location which will only be sent to those who sign up, as well as free pizza, BBQ, and bouncy castle – what could possibly go wrong? But if all of those are still too small fry for you, then it has to be the Moving in Party at PRYZM. The biggest nightclub in the city with over 2500 students likely to attend, you’ll want to get your tickets now, because it always sells out.
Monday 19th – Neon Night
Get out those bright clothes, it’s time to paint the town NEON. There are three options to choose from on Monday, all equally bright. The UV Neon Rave at Persia in the Arcadian Centre offers glowsticks, massive inflatables, and laser, UV, and strobe shows all night long. Glowbull at Snobs will get you face paints, bubble cannons, and hundreds of giveaways. And Neon Circus at PRYZM is four rooms of UV light cannons, glitter, confetti, and even indoor pyros and dancers. You’ll be picking the UV paint off your clothes for days, but it will be worth it.
Tuesday 20th – International Events
Birmingham is one of the most diverse cities you could hope to live in, so of course there’s more on offer than just top 40 hits and Mr. Brightside. Missing your gap year Ibiza trip? Then get down to Zoo Party at Snobs for a night of festival outfits, face painting, and animal inflatables. The Afro-Caribbean Bash will be loaded with Afrobeats, Dancehall, and R&B music all night, and it’s location is still a secret so who knows what else you’ll get. Finally, there is Desi Box at The Mill. With a large South Asian population in Birmingham, not having a night of bhangra, Bollywood, and urban desi would frankly be a waste. Oh, and the first 500 of you to turn up get in free!
Wednesday 21st – Hump Day
Getting tired yet? I hope not, because there is so much more to do. Possibly the most famous event of the year, F*ck Me It’s Freshers is coming to Ball Park for its annual UV nightclub, this time with table tennis and pool. For those who love a throwback, Retro Rewind at Heidi’s will be full of singalong bangers, so bust out that voice and give us a rendition of Sweet Caroline. If you’re more into the rock and metal side of things, swing by Subside for their weekly student night. Although not a freshers event specifically, you’ll still be surrounded by likeminded students with top-tier music playing until the early hours.
Thursday 22nd – School Disco
A-levels might be over, but it’s already time to go back to school. If you want to know what the Back to the 90s/00s throwback rave at Popworld will be like, think of your primary school disco – music, sweets, and all – and add booze, DJs, and actually wanting to dance with each other. Or go down to Digbeth and check out the Glitter Party at Mama Rouxs and The Mill, because you can never have too much glitter, even as an adult.
Friday 23rd – Festival Friday
Miss those summertime festivals already? Well don’t put those flower crowns away just yet, because IMJUSTBAIT at the Forum is coming out for its annual Freshers Festival. With live acts, who have in the past included artists such as Drake, Stormzy, and Skepta, this event always sells out in advance, so get in line now to see who’s up to watch this year. If you’re more of an autumn person, then Heidi’s Bar is bringing an early Oktoberfest to Birmingham in an already very Bavarian location.
Sunday 25th – The Last Hurrah
It’s Sunday, the last day before lectures begin on Monday, you should really take it easy… Yeah, no. This is freshers, if you’re not hungover at your first 9am, you’re not doing uni right. So take your pick between the two biggest events of the week. The Traffic Light Party at PRYZM is a part of the biggest traffic light party in the UK. The rules of the night: wear red if you’re taken, orange if you’re having a browse, and green if you’re single and ready to mingle. If that’s not really your thing, then you have to end the week with The Freshers Movement. There will be rodeo bulls, ball pits, fire breathers and dancers, stilt-walkers, massive confetti cannons, and DANCING LASER ROBOTS. How could you possibly resist?
