International Day of Birmingham to return later this month
International Day of Birmingham (IDOB) is set to return on Wednesday 24 September 2025.
Everyone is invited to celebrate this annual tribute to the historic alliance of Birminghams, championed by award-winning Brummie comedian Joe Lycett.
In 2024, as the Lord Mayor’s chosen ambassador, Joe Lycett, formed an official Treaty of Friendship with the world’s many Birminghams, thus creating the United States of Birmingham.
On his travels - immortalised in the Sky series ‘Joe Lycett’s United States of Birmingham’ - Joe discovered a shared Brummie spirit and introduced the Birminghams of North America to some cultural highlights from the Mother Brum, including custard, cobs and a Curly Wurly or two.
The bringing together of the Birminghams was a chance to shout about Brum and culminated in the inaugural International Day of Birmingham.
IDOB celebrations will take place at different venues and locations across the city. This year’s programme features Joe Lycett, Prof Carl Chinn MBE, Trevor Beattie, Marc Silk, Janice Connolly, Mr Egg, Tat Vision & Bam Bam plus plenty more lined up.
The celebrations will close with a headline event at The Old Rep with Professor Carl Chinn MBE hosting a Brummie double bill with Telly Savalas Looks at Birmingham and Joe Lycett’s United States of Birmingham, followed by a Q&A with Joe Lycett, director Nicola Silk, and historian Randell H Spackman.
Other events include:
Photography exhibition: ‘United States of Birmingham - Images from a Road Trip’
9am – 9pm at Zellig, Custard Factory
This free to attend exhibition features photographs of all the Birminghams visited for the TV series, taken by Joe Lycett and the crew. Open from Sept 24th - Oct 31st 2025.
Flashbab
1pm – 1:45pm at Colmore Square
Collect your Joe Lycett’s ‘10 things you need to do in Birmingham, UK’ alternative itinerary and pick up a free Curly Wurly! A collective 'Alright bab' chant will start at 1:30pm, led by the Lord Mayor followed by a procession down Colmore Row with special guests. At 1:35pm, the United States Of Birmingham flag will be raised in Victoria Square with the USB anthem and balcony appearance by the President of the USB himself, Joe Lycett.
Brummie Bazaar
3pm – 8pm at The Custard Factory
Birmingham Artisan Markets to showcase local traders and creatives, including Punks & Chancers, Spirit of Birmingham, The Crackpottery, Breaking Bread, Milan Illustrator, and Pip’s Hot Sauce.
Industry Chinwag; the making of Joe Lycett’s United States of Birmingham - supported by Create Central and Reel Brum
5pm – 6:30pm at The Old Rep Theatre
Join the production team for a peak behind the curtain of this popular 4 part series (Sky/NOW) which saw Joe Lycett create an official Treaty of Friendship with the other Birminghams of the world. Find out how it was commissioned, how it was filmed and how they survived 2000 miles in a tour bus. Get your tickets HERE.
Bab’s Big Blowout
5pm – 11pm at The Old Crown
Join in for a night of entertainment with Barbara Nice, Tat Vision and more special guests to celebrate IDOB at the oldest pub in Brum. Make sure to check out Tat Vision’s Mr Egg-decorating workshop. Get your tickets HERE.
International Day of Birmingham 6KM Run
6:30pm - 8pm at The Goodsyard JQ
The Lord Mayor will cut the ribbon to kick off the ultimate run through Brum. Experience a 6K guided running tour of Brum’s quirkiest landmarks, all set to the United States of Birmingham playlist. Finish at The Jeweller’s Arms for a cob and optional social. This event is free but booking is required. Book your place HERE.
Mr Eggshibition, + egg scavenger hunt
5pm – 10pm at The Nest + around The Custard Factory + Zellig estates
This free event is in honour of local legend and the unofficial mascot of Birmingham, Mr Egg. Crafty Brummies are invited to contribute to the world's biggest collection of papier mache Mr Eggs.
Landmark Lighting at 7pm
Landmarks of Birmingham including The Library of Birmingham, Paradise, and Kings Heath High Street will be illuminated in the IDOB colours.
Thunderbirds 60th Anniversary Double Bill at 7pm
Celebrate 60 years of Thunderbirds with a special double bill at The Mockingbird, Digbeth. Local creative legend Trevor Beattie will introduce two newly restored episodes in 4K. Rooted in Birmingham, the series became a global phenomenon. Afterwards, join a Q&A with Marc Silk, the city’s own voice actor for Thunderbirds, Star Wars, and Scooby-Doo. Tickets can be purchased HERE.
Who Loves Ya Bab?
8pm - 10:30pm at The Old Rep Theatre
The headline event features Professor Carl Chinn MBE hosting a Brummie double bill, including a rare screening of ‘Telly Savalas Looks at Birmingham’ and the first episode of ‘Joe Lycett’s United States of Birmingham.’ Following the screenings, enjoy a Q&A with Joe Lycett, director Nicola Silk, and Brummie historian Randell H Spackman from Birmingham, Pennsylvania. Tickets can be purchased HERE.
Hospitality highlights include Medicine Bakery, who have created two bespoke treats: a Curly Wurly Salted Caramel Brownie and a Custard Factory Donut. These will be exclusively available for one week from IDOB at all Medicine venues.
Guests visiting any Medicine venue on the day itself can say: “I’m here to honour Mr Egg” to enjoy any egg dish on the menu for just £5.
If you have an event you want to include, you can upload it HERE.
Lord Mayor Councillor Zafar Iqbal said: “Last year, we made history with the inaugural International Day of Birmingham.From the brass band parade to the hoisting of the United States of Birmingham flag, it was a joyful celebration of Brummie pride.
“I am very proud that the event is returning for a second year, and this year is set to be another wonderful celebration of everything brilliant about Birmingham. I know it will be a great showcase of the spirit and humour of our city not only in the UK but also Birminghams across the world.
“I hope as many people as possible can get involved with a great programme of Brum-based events and activities and celebrate the second International Day of Birmingham.”
Joe Lycett said “‘I am looking forward to once more celebrating this incredibly precious day in the global calendar by shouting ‘alright bab’ aggressively at the Lord Mayor before sinking 6-8 pints and inhaling a King Kebab at 3am.”
Photo credit: Khuram Mizra - Just Brum UK
