Sheldon Country Park Fair is a yearly summer event that has turned into a tradition to me. It's a…read morehighlight of most people's festival season on the east side of Birmingham, and sees thousands enter the park gates to take part in a wide range of activities. The park is literally filled with events, from fairground rides to nature talks to local emergency service rides, which are both educational and entertaining for children of all ages. We're usually lucky because the fair more than often hits a lovely summer's day, which provides a real festival feel to the whole experience. My favourite part is the owl show, I love watching and holding them. I'm a kid at heart! During the day, there are also clown shows, dirt bike shows and pantomimes. These are perfect to keep children's attention, but for me, I personally find them a little tedious. The fairground rides are the usual ones you can find at any fair, and cost no more money either. There's also a bar there which is great for people who just want to soak up the vibrant atmosphere.

The Filipino Barrio Fiesta happens once a year during the summer days in Woodgate Valley's Country…read morePark. They provide a huge stage for karaoke singers, performances and other little treats that will entertain you during your visit to this cultural event. It lasts for a few days in which you can explore around the stools, try some Filipino delicacies, purchase clothing, buy exotic ingredients and just soak up all of the Philippines culture even if you're just passing through as it's open to all members of the public. It's very family friendly as they hire out bouncy castles, miniature rides and all sorts for a great family experience and generally just a far east cultural experience.

If there's anywhere you should be at the beginning of September to celebrate the end of Summer it's…read moreThe Mosely Folk Festival! What a fantastic festival, if you want to soak up some cool vibes and chilled atmosphere it's situated off Mosely high street in Birmingham, down the side of an alley way is Mosely Park and where The Jazz and Folk Festival take place every summer. I've been going to the Mosely Folk Festival now every year since 2013, I was really skeptical regarding Folk music and thought it's all fiddles and banjos, old style folk songs and long fuzzy bearded men! but I've loved it ever since for its variety of old and new style folk, its community spirit and relaxed chilled atmosphere as well as the music. There's also been some unknown acts appear here who have made it into mainstream, one being Wolf Alice. I tend to go for the whole of the three day festival. Friday's are the cool trendy Folkers i.e. Mumford and sons style acts, Saturday is a combo of new and old and Sunday being the last day is more chilled and relaxed with traditional Folk and yes some fiddles! There's always some audience participation of a good ole Dosey Doh! In hay, music workshops or Morris Dancers around and anything goes with fashion. There are two seating areas on the grass; the rows in front of the two main stages are for blankets only and further back is for chairs. Along the sides of the seating areas are shops, a kids play area, face painting, cocktail bars, beer tents, street food vendors even a massage area Last year. The outside porta loos are also kept clean. All you need is a fold up chair, picnic blanket, hamper or rucksack filled with a couple of snacks and an umbrella for our unpredictable weather! Tips: Usual rules apply, no alcohol in bags and security checks on the gate, Deposit for a beer glass ( made of plastic )

I finally got to the Moseley Folk Festival last September, after three years of saying "I'm going…read moreto go this year!" and not making it. I'd heard the vibe was really relaxed, and even a bouncer I know who works on the door told me that "It's just full of drunken hippies." Which of course, is great! And he was right! Before the festival, I'd been to Moseley Park many times, and I kept wondering how such a popular festival fits so many people into one space. Once you actually go, you'll understand how it works, and you'll see the entire grass disappear, as people set up camp. I only went on the Saturday, but the atmosphere for that one day was amazing, with the music in equal good measure, from local talents Pram and Ben Calvert, to international stars William Mason and Tinariwen. However, if I'm honest, I don't really remember much of Tinariwen's set, because the high dosage of scrumpy cider had began to kick in. The only problem with the festival was the amount of wasps that kept trying to steal my cider, other than that, everything was top notch!

One of the most traditional festivals in Birmingham, Mostly Jazz Festival should be a compulsory…read moreitem in your bucket list. It's an incredible event and a wonderful way of getting closer to what Moseley village is in fact. This is a very lively part of Birmingham. Many culture events, fairs and concerts are held in Moseley pubs, cafés and spaces open to art, in general. Such an eclectic festival like this wouldn't be held in a better place. I have been to Mostly Jazz Festival last year and it was the best choice in leisure for a very hot summer in Brum. The weather was amazing, which helped to enjoy the concerts outside. Moseley park is gorgeous and it has to be highlighted all amazing job done by the local community that keep the place preserved. Food and drinks are not a problem in the area. The festival itself caters for the public with plenty of choice. From curry to a simple ice cream for the kids. Refreshments and alcoholic drinks are also sold inside the venue. By if you want to have a look around, Moseley have plenty of bars, restaurants and cafés available and open during the whole three days of events. Sometimes it's much better to go for these places for a meal. We had more options of food and also caught up with the news about Wimbledon ( in the pubs) because the Festival is held at the same time the tournament is on. And what a vibe in the village. 2013 edition was pretty especial because we could see the legend Nile Rodgers ( and Chic) at the main stage of the festival and the experience was unique indeed. One of the best gigs I ever seen and according to Nile, one of the best audiences he had. ( You're welcome!). Mostly Jazz Festival is for everyone. families, young and elderly ones. Everybody in the same vibe, enjoying sunshine ( if you are lucky) and nice music. it is great to see kids running in the park with parents sharing their Pimm's without being worried about their security. It's a big family festival indeed. And everyone is more than welcome. After the gigs, transport is not a problem. Buses are running until late in the trajectory back to the city centre ( takes 10 minutes or less). But if you are young and still want to party, Moseley pubs and bars are going to be there to help you carrying on the night. I love it. And I think Birmingham should be proud of such a great event. If you still don't have the tickets for the event this year, hurry up! It's on days 11-13 of July!

This was my second year at Mostly Jazz festival and I am happy to report that the event just got…read morebetter. Tickets for the Friday and Saturday sold out fairly early this year, and I was gutted to have missed out, but I managed to secure a ticket for the Sunday. The entrance points were well managed meaning that there were no delays getting in. One good thing about this event is that you can bring in as much food and drink as you like (unfortunately no alcohol or glass bottles) which means that many people were tucking in to their own little picnics. For those who wanted something a little more substantial, there were a variety of street food vendors serving a selection of cuisines including pizza, Thai and Indian. The main bar was huge and I didn't have to queue at all. The event was busy but not overly crowded and there was a great atmosphere. The line up at Mostly Jazz is always great and this year did not disappoint. There were a selection of local and national acts keeping the crowd entertained, culminating with George Clinton on the Sunday night - a fantastic performance. I will definitely be booking this event again next year.

If you like beer....sausage and dancing on tables this is definitely your jam....lovely times last…read morenight with some mates at brums Oktoberfest. This is exactly what you expect from a celebration of this sort...loads of Lang table, slightly over priced beer and food and VERY German music played live and by the coolest of looking djs....all very confusing but definitely added to the vibe. The beer we had was spot on as was the bratwurst and sourkrout....the tent was really impressive as was the setting of cannon hill park....the service was also friendly and attentive once they got in the swing if things....just remember your wallet as this is not he cheapest of evenings if you are planning a big drink....of massively oversized beers. Why can't all beers be a pint and a half!!

It was a rather pleasant Sunday afternoon when a bunch of 20 'Yelpers' descended upon a tent, in a…read morerather muddy carpark. It was also the day of the Bupa half-marathon. As such, many of the roads around Cannon Hill Park were blocked. I decided to avoid the traffic and walk the 2.5 miles from Harborne. After a couple of miner trespass issues, I found myself one of the first to arrive, and ashamedly felt rather smug at hearing of people's traffic woes. "Oktoberfest on 20th October* surely that's too late?" I hear you cry. Well, Brum's Oktoberfest have been running this event every weekend in a different city for the last month. I believe the Birmingham one is the end of their 'tour'. Entrance was free on Wednesday, £5 on Thursday, Friday and Sunday, and a whopping £10 on the Saturday. We (or rather Vicky O as CM) however, managed to blag some free tickets to the Sunday session. On entering we were greeted by buxom young women. It was later commented that their employment process probably included a series of questions involving 'hair colour' and 'cup size'. The tent housed long wooden tables with Bavarian blue and white diamond check print plastic tablecloths. The 'serving wenches' (I apologise if you feel I'm being sexist, but I'm trying to represent the sexist nature I felt in the organisation of the event) all had numbers on their backs. However in the VIP area, we served by a pleasant gentleman in a t-shirt (no lederhosen for him). Being in the VIP section meant that we were close to the stage, with a dance floor and had mud covered wood under our feet rather than just the bare mud. We're obviously here for some beer drinking. They serve only one beer, which is an Oktoberfest style from 'Festival Brew'. It costs £3 for a half pint, £8.50 for 1.5pt or £11 for a 2pt pour. Note no standard 1pint measure. There were also cider and wine available, but I didn't really pay attention to those. The beer was served in plastic jugs. Which is disappointing, but necessary at these kinda events, in case it all kicks off. Unsurprisingly, there have been lots of people posting how 'ripped off' they felt from the event. It has rained quite a lot recently. Ok so paying premium prices to sit at a rickety table, under a tent, in a muddy puddle filled carpark, is not everyone's idea of fun. The food was basically bratwurst, with fries or sauerkraut, and pretzels. There was a weisswurst on the menu but I didn't see anyone having this. They possibly missed a trick by not serving currywurst. I think currywurst would go down really well with British punters. I like currywurst, I might make currywurst for dinner tonight. Mmmm #currywurst The music drifted between a band playing trad German songs and getting everyone to sway, to those classics one remembers from holiday entertainment discos in the 80s. In fact the event had an atmosphere of a family function about it. It was like your girlfriend's, brother's, wife's, uncle's wedding. Despite all the extortionate prices, the cheesy music and the mud, I found the event rather enjoyable. I'm not sure if this is down to the company, and we could have enjoyed ourselves anywhere else? Or if it was the booze, which I'm sure did help. Or does standing on a rickety bench whilst swaying back and forth really put a smile on anyone's mouth? There seemed to be a united Yelp rendition of 'You Could Be Mine'. After which, I decided that it was time to merrily walk back to Harborne. Stopping of for a pint on the way back. Advice to anyone looking at attending next year, or another similar elsewhere: * Don't go with any pretentions of getting an authentic Bavarian experience. * Wear comfy shoes that you don't mind being covered in mud. * Expect to pay large amount for the beer * Don't take any food or drink with you as they make you throw it away at the entrance * Loosen up and enjoy it for what it is Advice for the organisers: * Lower drinks prices - I would have probably stayed for more had it not been so expensive. * More toilets - there was reports of huge queues for both ladies and gents Saturday night. * British weather is wet, more ground covering is required. * Currywurst. *Munich's Oktoberfest runs from late September to the first Sunday in October. This year it finished on 4th October.

I have been to plenty of gigs in life but Supersonic Festival is, undoubtedly, a unique experience…read more This legendary Brummie music festival had its first edition in 2003, and in 2012, it's going to be celebrating its 10th edition already! Always held at Custard Factory, in Digbeth, Supersonic is known as its perfect combination of music, arts, films and craft. During three days, usually in October, bands from every part of the planet come to Birmingham to make some noise. As an underground festival, Supersonic keeps the line-up as much eclectic as possible, which means it's possible to check from jazz to grindcore bands and artists performances at this event. Bands such as Napalm Death, LCD Soundsystem, Broadcast and other important names of underground and experimental music already played at Supersonic. As a journalist, I have been covering the 9th edition last year and had the opportunity of spend the whole weekend in Custard Factory enjoying the best of this cutting edge festival. The reputation of this event has 100% to do with the competence of Capsule people that are responsible for its impeccable organisation. I would highlight that Custard Factory is a perfect place to held this kind of event. Plenty of pubs and food places nearby for a quick warming up. If possible, try to book a hotel in the area as well and make the most of it! There are attractions during the three whole days. Supersonic also presents several workshops, events for children. Foods and drinks are also available at the locale and the tickets for the gigs costs £80 for three days of event. The 10th edition will take place on 19-21 of October!

For me, this is the greatest festival to exist in Birmingham, and I'm so proud that, as a second…read morecity, we can maintain such an outstanding gem. Supersonic never ever fails to surprise me each year, and I recommend it everybody on the street (I literally do). I've been attending for three years now, and I've discovered so much new music. At last years festival, I purchased a Secret Chiefs 3 album on vinyl, after being mystified and astonished by their on stage presence. The years before the last one (2011), Supersonic used to drain the pool in the custard factory complex, and people could stand in it and watch the bands who performed at the back. I love how the festival organisers are always changing and using different spaces in the Custard Factory; It allows the experience to change and develop each year. (At the first year in 2003, Supersonic didn't drain the pool, and had bands performing on a stage over the water; Sounds dangerous!) If you really want to witness an eclectic mixture of experimental music, Supersonic is definitely the place for you. From metal to dub step to IDM to folk; everything is covered. I love to push my musical boundaries and explore my taste, and I know that true music fans do too. I guarantee that you'll be astounded by your new favourite acts.

There are so many puns to make about how this is Birmingham's hottest foodie event, but I shall…read morerefrain. Brindleyplace is hosting the second Birmingham Chilli Festival on 13-14 July 2012. The event is part of the citywide Food Festival. There will be stalls selling their spicy wares as well as the eagerly anticipated chilli eating competition. Visitors will get to enjoy live cooking/cocktail demos, spicy street entertainment and music. My husband made the mistake of nibbling on a naga during last year's festival. I'd like to say that he has learnt his lesson, but I suspect that he'll be making the same mistake again this year. If you see a bespectacled and beardy fellow wondering around Brindleyplace with smoke coming out of his ears, give him a wave!

Britain may not be the hottest place on the map (Ok, let's be honest -- Greenland and Norway are…read morepossibly the only colder locations outside of the North and South Poles), but the Latin American Festival held in Birmingham every year is heating things up. With chili. And salsa. Founded by a Peruvian, Annie Bazán-De-Fisher, the Latin American Festival has been going since 1992, and is progressively more entertaining every year, and is now the most successful and well-established Latin celebration in the UK. My favourite thing about it is the food. Oh come on, I'm not going to lie and say it's the interesting combination of cold weather and hothothot culture! The booths filled with little Latin lumps of yummy goodness have pleased my palate year on year. Fried plantains, yummy wild rice, and carne asada galore are enough to make anyone happy. The bands really are a fantastic part of the festival. Last year there was a group I can only describe as rock-ska mixed with Latin overtones. Really fantastic, and got the entire crowd dancing. The festival starts with the Inca Festival of the Sun, a parade of dancers, musicians and performers wending their way down Birmingham High Street to Victoria Square. There are llamas and traditional Andean costumes, plus more maracas than you can shake a...maraca at. There are also salsa dancing lessons, demonstrations by award-winning dance groups, Peruvian pan pipe shows, and photo ops with llamas and traditionally dressed Latin Americans. There are intricate and fascinating demonstrations of Incan spirituality and ancient mystic religious ceremonies of the Andes. The entire festival is free, and suitable for all ages. It ends around 7pm, and adults can go onto the Festival Celebration at Ipanema club. This normally includes vast quantities of tequila, sambuca and merengue dancing, lots of fun, club-inspired dance tracks. Definitely not suitable for children or chavs! The festival is good fun, and definitely something different for Britain's Second City.

This year will see the fifteenth edition of the Harborne Carnival, which literally takes over the…read moreentire high street of Harborne. The event was set up by Ron Hill in 1998, who took inspiration from the first Harborne charity fete in 1891, a carnival that had been revived several times, with the last in 1968. Last year's street party saw over 60000 attending what is often called the UK's second largest celebrations of its type. With the sun blaring, it was an absolutely perfect day out for friends and family alike. Taking to the streets are a wide range of floats and people, from dancers to old fashioned cars to bikes to brass bands, if you don't keep an eye on the road, you're sure to miss some of the most intriguing, artistic floats you'll ever see. Along with floats, the streets are also filled with fairground rides activities, and stalls which are all designed to raise money for local charities. The carnival is a hit with the kids, and the surrounding Harborne pubs are perfectly located for fueling the adults with alcohol to help them soak up the atmosphere. The smell of local grub sold on the street is also highly tempting, so be prepared to enjoy a jam packed, belly bursting event. My first experience of the carnival was last year, and I cannot wait for this years! Not long to go!

My friends and I only discovered the Harborne carnival last summer, which happened to…read morecoincidentally fall on my birthday, making all more reason to celebrate. The infamous high street is packed, whether it be floats or just people, it's seemingly one way traffic, but in all fairness, it's something that adds to the atmosphere if anything. Despite being a great day out, weather depending, you'll see your fair share of topless men/boys and drinking on the streets. With the pubs often closing for a few hours in the mid afternoon, people often take drinking outside, making the most of the Sainsburys towards the end of the street. Some people may find the off putting, but as my rating suggests, the day, overall, really is a laugh. I'd definitely recommend it, especially to anyone in their late teens, pushing 20. After all, it could fall on my birthday again, in which case you can buy me a pint..

I did not expect this to be such a great and well organised event....plus there was A LOT of free…read moresamples all over the place to keep us all more than entertained. From rum, to reggae reggae and from sparkling wine to scratchings it really was all covered here! I must have had every flavour of the scratching going.... special shouts to the guy that was selling those they were AMAZING. The only slight downside of this event was the £3 charge to take money out of the cash machines. If this had been less I probably would have walked away with more food but i'm not paying £3 for money....no way. 1.65 annoys me.....£3 is out of the question. Apart from the cash machine gripe....amazing atmosphere, good selection of traders, friendly people and lovely food. This is a winning event and one i will definitely be attending next year.

I had seen a lot about the Foodies festival coming to Birmingham before the fact, but I didn't…read morequite know what it would be like. Having visited the Birmingham Good Food Show, Birmingham Independent Food Fair and lots of other events - I have been to my fair share of festivals, but these guys were an unknown quantity. First, a little bit of information. The Foodies Festival has a great website where you can get a taste of the vendors on offer and the talks that run throughout the day. They were offering guided alcohol tastings, cooking demonstrations and a mix of local and international brands included in the ticket price (many of the demos were bookable before the day) and a choice of ticket package. Basic (including a show guide, entry and a chance to book tastings/talks) to VIP (which offered many other benefits including some freebies and a special VIP area only accessible with the wristband). Tickets varied in price, but seemed very reasonable for the range of things they were offering. The festival ran from Friday until Sunday in Birmingham's own Cannon Hill Park. We decided to head down on Saturday to see what it was all about. Parking (as per usual with Cannon Hill on a weekend) was mental and somewhat exasperated with the increase in the number of people heading there for the festival. As a top tip, grab a bus or a cab. If you want to make the most of the tastings and stalls, driving wouldn't be recommended anyway. As we only had an hour and a half (and a wedding to go to in the afternoon), we drove up just after 11am and manage to sneakily pop in a space near the nature centre. After getting through the gates, we were pleasantly surprised with the scale of the festival and the variety on offer. With recognisable Birmingham brands in attendance (such as Pip's hot sauce, Mrs Mills Cakes and Tan Rosie) and larger brands (such as Tabasco and Deliveroo), there was a fair amount of choice of stands to wander around. In terms of street food, you could choose from a vast choice of healthy, vegetarian, meaty and junky stands which were priced reasonably (considering the event). In terms of drinks, again, a good choice of local and international brands had a stall. You could have gin cocktails from an art deco jazz tent, cocktails served from a horse box, Pimms from a giant teapot and Captain Morgans from a pirate ship (amongst others). Apparently the processco and champagne stand was a hit, but we couldn't have too much as we had a busy day ahead. I opted for a gin cocktail from Langley's and a half pint from the local boys (Two Towers) as well as a delicious burger from Gone Burger (who we had previously tried at UK Burger Battle). We didn't catch any of the talks over the day, but it seemed like these went down well and were very popular. If this festival comes back next year, I would thoroughly recommend a visit. Food, sunshine, drinks and a great crowd. I was mightily impressed with my first "Foodies Festival" experience and wish we could have had longer to enjoy it.