Final countdown on as international stars head to Birmingham for arts festival

The first international edition of the Serendipity Art Festival (SAF) takes place this May Bank Holiday weekend with international stars and well-known local figures set to take to the stage.

Hosted by Birmingham City University, festival goers can expect a celebration of South Asian arts, music, dance and culture, with the festival headlined by well-known stand-up Brummie comic, Shazia Mizra.

Tickets are free and offer an eclectic mix of performances, workshops, film screenings and exhibitions which will take place across the weekend at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and the Symphony Hall.

Birmingham was chosen to host the festival ahead of rival bids from Dubai, London and other cities to be the 2025 host, following a competitive process that examined its facilities and infrastructure and commitment to nurturing the arts.

Two of the key performances are Sempre Fado - an evening of soulful music, capturing the true spirit of Portuguese Goa (Friday evening at 7pm) and Thumri in the Chamber - a classical Indian music tradition given a contemporary twist by Indian rock musician and composer, Zubin Balaporia (Monday at 730pm)

Alongside comedy from Shazia Mirza - born in Birmingham to Punjabi Pakistani parents - the line-up includes the Birmingham Conservatoire Folk Ensemble - an energetic and powerful show, with up to 75 musicians taking part, including fiddles, brass and percussion.

A tribute to the legendary tabla maestro Zakir Hussain captures intimate moments of his musical journey through the lens of celebrated photographer Dayanita Singh, and a screening of the film The Speaking Hand  which charts Zakir's growth from the by-lanes of Bombay to his present fame as a world-renowned musician.

Eternal Echoes is a showcase of archival images of traditional Indian musical instruments, accompanied by a pop-up  library of books on the history of music in South Asia.

BCU vice-chancellor, Professor David Mba (pictured), said: “Since our founding almost 180 years ago, arts, design and performance have been at the core of our University, and our education provision remains rooted in the city’s diverse cultural landscape.

“This event will not only cement Birmingham’s position as a cultural destination of choice but will build on the talents and aspirations of our students and University.”

Serendipity Arts Festival, which celebrates its tenth edition in India in December 2025, is an annual event with more than 200 projects spread over multiple venues in Panaji, Goa.

Established by founder-patron Sunil Kant Munjal, it has grown into South Asia's largest and most anticipated arts festival, covering performing, visual and culinary arts.

For the first mini-edition of the festival outside of India, the city of Birmingham was chosen as their partner.

Tickets for the festival are free and are available from the BCU website.