International Day of Birmingham returns with more than 50 events

International Day of Birmingham returns for its third year on 24 and 25 September, with more than 50 events celebrating the city's people, places and global connections.

First created as part of comedian Joe Lycett's United States of Birmingham, the festival is now run by International Day of Birmingham CIC. It also reaches out to the many towns and cities around the world that share Birmingham's name.

Football and belonging

The University of Birmingham, a headline sponsor, is hosting "Birmingham United: celebrating football in Brum", exploring how football shapes identity, belonging and community. It will be hosted by alumna and Birmingham City fan PJ Ellis, with speakers including Siraj Hussain, founder of the Birmingham United foundation, and PhD researcher and podcaster Hijab Shah.

"International Day of Birmingham is our annual reminder to the world that the second city is, in fact, second to none," said Cassie Chadderton, the university's Director of Culture, Collections and Public Engagement.

The festival has become a fixture of the city's calendar, celebrating the communities and cultures that make Birmingham unique.