Record 4,000 people at International Day of Birmingham

A record 4,000 people visited the Council House for this year's International Day of Birmingham, the celebration of the city created by the comedian Joe Lycett.

The third International Day of Birmingham took place on 24 and 25 September. It was the first time the 147-year-old Council House had been opened to the public on this scale.

Brummie Passports

About 1,800 people came on the first day alone. All 4,000 Brummie Passports, a souvenir given to visitors, were handed out, and 600 pints of Guinness were served.

Around 100 performers, speakers and traders took part across ten rooms. They included the historian Professor Carl Chinn, the MP Jess Phillips, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and Birmingham Royal Ballet.

Birminghams around the world

Visitors came from Australia, Ireland, Korea, Malaysia, Spain and the USA. Randell H. Spackman from Birmingham, Pennsylvania, who appeared in Joe Lycett's television programme The United States of Birmingham, attended for the third year in a row. Video links connected the event with representatives from Birminghams in Michigan, Iowa and Toledo.

"Truly astounded"

Nicola Silk, executive producer, said: "We are truly astounded at the number of Brummies and honorary Brummies who came along to collect their Brummie Passports."

How it started

International Day of Birmingham began in 2024, when Joe Lycett launched it as a celebration of everything that makes the city special, and to connect it with the many other places around the world that share its name.

Next year

International Day of Birmingham will return on Friday 24 September 2027.

The Council House

The Council House on Victoria Square was completed in 1879 and is the home of Birmingham City Council. Its grand rooms, including the council chamber and banqueting hall, are usually only seen by the public on special open days.