Black Country Day 2025: All about the huge festival and the key events to celebrate across Wolverhampton, Dudley, Walsall and Sandwell
Proud Black Country folk are preparing for a bostin' celebration of the West Midlands this month.
Ahead of Black Country Day on July 14, festivities have already taken place, with the Bostin' Black Country Bash, Stourbridge Carnival and a celebration weekend at the Black Country Living Museum all providing memorable family days out last weekend.
The rest of July is also jam-packed full of parties, festivals and special events all over the region, and we hope this guide can help you plan your own celebrations for the Black Country Festival.
What is the Black Country Festival?
In 2014, a ground-breaking event was brought to life: a unified festival that brought together the boroughs of Dudley, Wolverhampton, Walsall, and Sandwell in a united celebration.
The first Black Country Day celebrations actually took place on March 30, 2013, with the date later changing to July 14 to coincide with the anniversary of the invention of the world's first successful steam engine, the Newcomen Engine, in 1712 at the Coneygree Coal Works near Dudley.
This first-of-its-kind festival was born from a strong desire to celebrate and acknowledge the rich cultural heritage, fascinating history, and continuous evolution of the Black Country and its people.
Unlike other festivals that typically centre around a single event or location, the Black Country Festival is an array of diverse community events across different areas in the four boroughs.
What events are going on?
Friday, July 11: The Ultimate Party Night - Brierley Hill Civic Centre (8pm - 1am)
Enjoy dancefloor and party anthems, plenty of sing-along moments, and a playlist covering everything from the seventies to the noughties - and beyond. This is a night for people who just want a great time, attracting a fantastic, feel-good crowd in a truly safe and welcoming space.
Friday, July 11: Waterfront Dining Club 2025 - Waterfront, Merry Hill, Brierley Hill (4pm - 10pm)
Incredible street food, great music, and unbeatable vibes as the Digbeth Dining Club Tour returns for 2025. Award-winning street food, live entertainment, and a buzzing atmosphere that’s perfect for the whole family - including your four-legged friends!
Saturday, July 12: Black Country Music Festival 2025 - Himley Hall and Park, Dudley (12pm - 9pm)
A live music event with local artists from across the West Midlands, taking place in the Courtyard at Himley Hall. The line-up includes: Giant and the Georges, The Empty Can, The Vinyl Revival, Matt Johnson, Gentleman Songsters, Rockacella, Sam Draisey and The Revolt, All Due Respect, Joe James Thomas, Emma Linney Band, Headshrinkers, Kerry Worton, Darcie Edwards, Lawrie Jean, Brian Stevens, Jo Millard, Izzy Pop and the Busketeers.
Saturday, July 12: 1940s Weekend - The Black Country Living Museum, Dudley (7pm - 10.30pm)
Put on your finest vintage attire and immerse yourself in all things 1940s as you wander through the museum's authentic streets, filled with the sights and sounds of wartime Britain. From swing and jazz to patriotic anthems, sing along to timeless melodies that lifted spirits during one of history’s most challenging periods.
Saturday, July 12: Halesowen Black Country Festival Community Funday - Somer Square, Halesowen (11am - 3pm)
A day of fun and live local music in Somer Square, Halesowen.
Saturday, July 12: Birmingham Pretty Muddy 5k 2025 - Cofton Park, Lickey Road, Northfield (10.30am - 2.30pm)
Climb, crawl and slide your way around the Pretty Muddy obstacle course at your own pace. 5k is just over 3 miles and can take about an hour to complete on average, but there's no pressure to finish in a certain time – it's all designed for fun! Get muddy as an individual or with a group of friends or family and raise money for life-saving cancer research.
Saturday, July 12: Shape Youth Summer Festival 2025 - Sandwell Valley Country Park, Salters Lane, West Bromwich (12pm - 6pm)
Sandwell’s SHAPE Youth Summer Fest is back for 2025 with the biggest selection of free activities ever. The free event will feature a wide range of fun activities for children and young people, as more than 70 services and partner organisations join forces with Sandwell Council to put on the festival, which has been running since 2015.
Saturday, July 12: Birmingham Craft Brew Fiesta 2025 - Custard Factory, Digbeth, Birmingham (12.30pm - 6pm)
The Craft Brew Fiesta isn’t like any other beer festival - it’s five hours of full-throttle, all-in, party-mode madness with bottomless craft beer, cider, wine, non-alcoholic beer, soft drinks and prosecco. No faff. No overpriced drink tokens. Just pure, unfiltered fun.
Saturday, July 12: Come - Unity in the Park, Christian Festival 2025 - Hickman Park, Bilston (1pm - 6pm)
A free multi-cultural Christian Festival with gospel-inspired, family entertainment, food and info stalls to connect with the community.
Friday, July 18 - Sunday, July 27: Sandwell Jazz and Blues events - Various venues
The 41st Birmingham Jazz & Blues Festival comes to Sandwell from July 18 to July 27. Venues include Bromwich Hall, Lightwoods Park and West Bromwich Central Library.
Saturday, July 19: Wordsley Family Fun Day - King George V Park, Wordsley (11am - 4pm)
Fairground rides, raffles, food stalls, pony rides, a dog show, a football tournament, special guests, entertainment and lots more at the Wordsley Family Fun Day.
Saturday, July 19: Black Country Multicultural Day 2025 - Somer Square, Halesowen (11am - 6pm)
Black Country Multicultural Day 2025 will be the fifth event following the success of the last four years. Black Country Multicultural Day (BCMD) will showcase how the people of the Black Country have become culturally diverse in recent years.
Saturday, July 19 - Sunday, July 20: Sandwell & Birmingham Mela 2025 - Victoria Park, Smethwick
Established in 2011, Sandwell & Birmingham Mela is the biggest South Asian music festival in Europe. Music, dance, food, arts and crafts bring the sights, sounds and spicy aromas of South Asia to Victoria Park, Smethwick.
For more information on these events, and for a full list of all the Black Country Day events taking place around the region. Visit the Black Country Festival website.
