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.

Moseley Folk really are the Kings of the local folk revival and their main festival held annually…read morein Moseley Park and Pool is a real highlight on the Brum music calendar. Growing this successful brand this year they attempted their first camping festival and were wise enough to start with a very small acorn. Only 500 tickets were available and even though some of the names were fairly big (Fionn Regan, Scott Matthews, Benjamin Francis Leftwich) the festival had a lovely, intimate, family feel. The site itself is a real find, very near the home of Nick Drake, in Tanworth in Arden. There was yummy food from the Soul Food Project and local booze from Purity. They've started some nice traditions already including an outdoor fire that was kept alight the whole time the festival was running. No, the weather didn't help. But it is a great start from these chaps and I imagine a great oak will grow from this . . .

Newly launched in 2012, The Lunar Festival is run by the same team who brought us Moseley Folk…read moreFestival and the Mostly Jazz Festival. The setting was Nick Drake's spiritual home of Tanworth-In-Arden. A festival of acoustic music with folky-leanings, Scott Matthews, Fionn Regan and Benjamin Francis Leftwich headlined the main stage on each night, while singer-songwriters from the local area and further afield played sets on both the Northern Sky and the Riverman stages. With only 500 tickets on sale, most of them were snapped up by those preferring a more intimate festival, a welcome change from the corporate, sponsored rock-based behemoths. With this small amount of people you see familiar faces, the queues for food and toilets are small, and everything is more amiable and easier. Kids can get into Umberslade Farm Park to look at the animals and to play in the adventure playground. The highlight of the weekend for me was Fionn Reagan whose witty, wordy, highly poetic songs with references to literature, historical figures and odd places are among the best that I believe have been written. You don't believe me? Buy his 2006 album 'The End of History and you might be converted. Keep a watch of the website for details of next year's festival.

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..

Can't think of anywhere to take the kids over the summer holidays? But you still want to have a…read moregood time yourself? Then CoCoMAD Festival is definitely for you; And best of all, it's free (subject to donations for the bands and organisation). This yearly music festival takes place in Cotteridge park every July, and it's a very popular destination for families alike, who can lap up the sun while listening to some great local music. Well known Brummie band Misty's Big Adventure usually perform here (but I don't think they are this year), as well as returners Tempting Rosie, and other unmissable Birmingham talents. The general public are also invited every year to take part in the acoustic open mic tent, so the experience really does incorporate the whole community. There are also tonnes of activities for children to get involved in. such as folk instrument making, tree climbing, and a range of other events. CoCoMAD also houses several different arts and crafts stalls for kids and grown-ups alike, such as wood carvings, face painting and dark age jewellery. And of course, no festival would be complete without organic food stalls, from the likes of Soul Food Project and other local food specialists. I highly recommend the hog roast that can be purchased from the festival. It's truly delicious! CoCoMAD really does provide the perfect summery vibe, and it's always buzzing with people and vibrancy every year. The highlight of CoCoMAD is of course the float, which marks the beginning of the festival by circling roads surrounding the park. Children can get involved by help designing a float too!

This is one of my favourite annual events. It's an outdoor community festival set in the lovely…read moresurroundings of Cotteridge Park and it really does have something for everyone. The focal point is a main stage providing live music that ranges from local bands to church choirs, plus the occasional dance troupe or drumming act, which most of the visitors settle down in front of on rugs and with picnics. Around the outside of the park there are tens of stalls selling all kinds of different and interesting food, and also plenty of activity for the kids - face-painting, magic shows, balloons, etc. If the weather is nice this year when it's held in July I would heartily recommend spending an afternoon here. Great fun.

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.

Absolutely brilliant massage and healing therapy with Helena Jane , felt the tingling sensation as…read morethe stress and tension was leaving my body!

I have suffered with tension in my neck and shoulders for many years and I have tried several…read moretreatments over the years. Jayne has helped me greatly and is very knowledgeable about other therapies. I would highly recommend her.

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.

This is a community and arts festival that takes place in Moseley every late June/early July. I've…read morebeen here three years in a row now, and there seems to be more and more events each time. The main festival day clutters the streets of Moseley (and surrounding venues) with stalls and activities such as morris dancing and live cooking. The arts and crafts stalls are more on par with Moseley Arts Market (and some of the stall holders are often the same, which is a little bit of a let down for me.) Other stalls are set up by the community, selling car boot-type items such as toys and vinyl. It's a great place to hunt for hidden gems and sought after records. For me, the highlight of last year's fest took place in Moseley Park & Pool, where a free live jazz band played to chilled out visitors in the blaring sun. (If you get too hot, you can always cool down in the ice house underneath Moseley Park!). In addition to the main festival day, other venues open their doors for specific events throughout the seven days. These venues include Zen, Birmingham Buddhist Centre, O'Neils and The Fighting Cocks, which all put on unique celebrations, from yoga sessions to beer tasting. I think the most obscurest event as part of 'Moz fest' has to be ginger fest, which tooks place in The Prince of Wales a couple of year's back. It's a mini festival within a festival that allows red heads to unite. Let's hope it returns this year!

Local event based in the Moseley area, Moseley festival is quite a well-known event which occurs…read moreeach year. I've only been twice and both times I went to the festival I quite enjoyed it. The streets become jam packed and the residents from the area take part either by setting up a stall or taking to the streets. The fact that they have so many events which take place during the seven days; makes the festival more interesting. It can become a little repetitive each year but I guess many festivals similar to this become slightly repetitive too. When you attend the festival, be prepared to leave the event with at least an item you've purchased from one of the many stalls. You'll have a continuous temptation to buy something and you'll find many hidden treasures. When I last went, I bought a couple of things including some vintage looking candle holders. They were absolutely magnificent and I just couldn't resist. Also, if you do I recommend you take a look at all the other mini events taking place across the city in association with Moseley Festival.

This is a really nice place in Bromsgrove, it is known at the local music venue. They have live…read moremusic most nights with a wide genre of music to suit most people. The regulars are great and love their music. The staff are friendly and helpful. There is a heated seating area outside but the best part is that there are caves behind the pub which have seats and lighting but the caves go all the way into Kidderminster (so the rumour has it but not brave enough to go and check) this area does get packed so go early to get the best seats. There is music memorabilla in the pub which warrants a visit on its own. They have their own website so you can check out which bands are on.