Free festivals in the West Midlands this weekend

Glastonbury may be over but festival season in many parts of the Midlands is just swinging into action – and many events are free.

While Birmingham faces a stampede of thousands this weekend to watch Black Sabbath’s final gig, test cricket at Edgbaston or Jeff Lynne’s ELO, there are plenty of other celebrations taking place where people can simply turn up and enjoy the fun.

From Pride to poetry, here are some free events happening in the region on Saturday and Sunday.

CocoMAD is a free, family-friendly festival held in Cotteridge Park, Birmingham.

Established in 1997, it is run mostly by volunteers and funded through local business sponsorships, traders, grants and donations.

It starts at 12:00 BST on Saturday, with an array of activities from live music by jazz, funk and ska soul band, Bostin Brass, to micro-circus immersive musicals.

SwingFit classes, involving, dancing, singing and playing instruments, will also be held from 13:00 to 17:00.

There is no parking on site, but you can cycle, walk or use public transport to get there.

Kings Heath becomes Queens Heath for the day as the Birmingham suburb’s Pride event returns to York Road on Sunday.

It is the fifth annual event, which began in 2021 as anti-LGBTQIA+ protests were held outside Birmingham schools.

Each year, the festivities begin with a Pride march, before performers – many in glittering, elaborate costumes – take to a stage outside the Hare and Hounds.

Thousands of people turn out, decked in bright colours and glitter – and comedian and local resident Joe Lycett, one of the organisers, is usually among the crowds.

Birmingham artisan markets will be there with stallholders selling merch, ceramics and other wares.

There will also be family activities and a youth cafe in the nearby community centre.

Oswestry Food Festival is held on Saturday and Sunday.

Dozens of exhibitors will be on hand, selling everything from cheese to doughnuts, spirits to Italian food.

The town’s award-winning market will also be open, as well as regular street traders.

There will also be live music and entertainment.

Also in the area are a family fun day in Cae Glas Park on Saturday, and reggae in the park on Sunday.

Saturday will see the official launch of the Biddulph Festival 2025, held in Biddulph, Staffordshire.

An annual community festival that began in 1997, with this year’s theme being space.

There will be a launch parade, followed by “Biddulph by the Sea”, which brings seaside fun to the streets.

It will include a fun fair, stalls, and opening speeches.

The Great Malvern Food Festival takes place on Saturday and Sunday.

It is the popular event’s 15th year and is held in Priory Park, Malvern, from 10:00 to 17:00 BST on Saturday and 10:00 to 16:00 BST on Sunday.

On offer will be local produce, market stalls and street food vendors.

There will also be a bar, live music and street performances in the bandstand.

Sunday is the final day of Ledbury Poetry Festival – and will see the Ledbury Celebration held from 11:00 to 16:00 BST.

It will also include an outdoor market and street food to St Katherine’s, just off the High Street.

Stallholders will show off a range of food, from pizza and organic vegetables, to Ukrainian-style food and Afghan food.

Entertainment will begin at 12:00 BST, and will include “al fresco” poetry and local musicians.

Wolverhampton Arts Festival takes place on both Saturday and Sunday, held on the ground floor of the Mander Centre.

The event, in its third year, starts at 10:00 on Saturday and 11:00 BST on Sunday.

Free to attend, it will feature work by local artists, crafts and stalls, as well as a display of work by young artists.

There will also be live music and performances.