Coordinated by local organisations and umbrella groups including the Balsall Heath Alliance and Believe in Balsall Heath, the festival aims to show the unique collaborative spirit, diverse heritage, and belief in the area.

“It’s not the same as the old Carnival but it has risen from its ashes. The Festival is a symbol of hope as all parts of the community have come together to celebrate and to reaffirm our identity as diverse, creative and enterprising. I hope it will continue for many years to come,” says Val Hart from the Balsall Heath Local History Society and Chair of Balsall Heath Community Festival Committee

Festival Highlights include the Balsall Heath Local History Society unveiling nine historical interpretation panels across Balsall Heath. A special Balsall Heath Carnival Touring Exhibition (1977–2022) featuring the archival photography of Mick Turner will pop up at various hubs throughout the week;

There will also be a poetry and film retrospective evening with poet Liz Berry and workshops mapping the area’s heritage with MIAH Foundation.

In the build-up to the festival Balsall Heath’s legendary community news and storytelling platform the Heathan will return.

Climate Change will also be highlighted. Retrofit Balsall Heath, Fruit and Nut Village, and Friends of the Earth Postcode Gardeners are teaming up to present the interactive model-house drama Forest Sound Garden event and the highly-anticipated East West Retrofit Procession.

Family highlights include a massive Summer Celebration Together at St. Paul’s, free sports and games (archery, chair tennis, and more) at Calthorpe Park with Saheli, and a Faith Trail across multiple faith centres coordinated by Anawim.

There will also be a Second Saturday at The Old Printworks. On July 11th, the flagship creative mini-festival will take over with craft markets, workshops with Sundragon Pottery, Repair Cafe, art and craft workshops with The Gap, ITZATNA and Seeing Rhonda exhibition.

“We’re working with schools, charities, faith centres and residents to show Birmingham what Balsall Heath can do when we work together, showing the best of Balsall Heath and why we deserve more,” says Marcus Belben, Co-Editor of The Heathan.

Balsall Heath Community Festival 2026 takes places from July 3rd-13th at various locations across Balsall Heath including The Old Printworks, St.Paul’s Nursery, Balsall Heath City Farm, Moseley Road Swimming Pools, Calthorpe Park, Seven Streets Pocket Park, Balsall Heath Park, five local primary schools and six local faith centres.

Admission is free and all residents and visitors are welcome. For more information visit balsallheathan.org.