Ramadan Streets returns to Birmingham with a warm welcome for all - and it’s hosted by Birmingham City Football Club Foundation

Ramadan Streets is returning to Birmingham for a second year after a hugely popular run last year - and it is extending a warm invitation to people of all backgrounds to come together.

The event is running for five days in March. It is an immersive cultural and artistic night market celebrating the spirit, community and  shared experience of Ramadan.  

The markets kick off from Wednesday March 4 to Sunday March 8, running daily from dusk until 11.30pm in an open-air setting on the Coventry Road - home of Birmingham City Football Club’s grounds. 

Following the success of its inaugural year, where nearly 30,0000 people attended the event, this year the Ramadan Streets is supported by  Birmingham City Football Club Foundation. 

A spokesperson for Ramadan Streets said: “Our event will transform the Blues’ ground car park into a vibrant, souk-like environment where communities can gather to break their fast, share food, and experience the cultural richness of Ramadan in an open inclusive environment. 

“Food trucks serving everything from smash burgers to matcha will feature alongside artisan vendors, whilst a  covered reflective art zone will offer attendees a space to retreat and express themselves  creatively bringing good food for both the body and the soul.” 

Ramadan Streets is curated by artist Mohammed Ali and his creative team at Soul City Arts,  with support from The Halal Food Festival. 

Soul City Arts delivers impactful arts festivals,  experiences and cultural programmes locally, nationally and internationally, whilst The Halal Food Festival has produced large-scale eclectic food festivals across the country. Together,  the experience brings a cutting artistic edge to a traditional night market within a family  friendly atmosphere. 

Ramadan is a sacred month dedicated to fasting, prayer and reflection for Muslims. In recent  years, public iftars and shared Ramadan experiences have increasingly brought people together across faiths and cultures. 

Ramadan Streets organisers have told how they have built on this tradition, to offer an open, welcoming outdoor environment.

The organisers added: “It also offers an antidote to the chaos, disorder  and unregulated environments of pop-up Ramadan street markets that have plagued  Coventry road every year.” 

“During Ramadan, people come together for prayer and to eat at the end of the fasting day  in mosques, homes and restaurants,” says Mohammed Ali, Founder and Artistic Director of  Soul City Arts. 

“With Ramadan Streets, we’ve brought a safe outdoor space that is open to all and rooted in community. 

“In the times we live in, we need more spaces for us to  celebrate ourselves and each other and this space offers that coming together.

The event is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF),  which is distributed locally by Birmingham City Council. 

The funding supports the UKSPF’s  Communities and Place pillar, delivering a diverse range of programmes that strengthen local  communities, enhance public spaces, and promote inclusive economic growth across the  city. 

The event has the support of Cllr. Saima Suleman, Cabinet Member for Digital, Culture,  Heritage and Tourism at Birmingham City Council. 

Councillor Saima Suleman said: “Last year’s Ramadan Streets proved to be a wonderful  celebration of faith, culture, and community, and I’m delighted that the event will return  once again this March. 

“It is wonderful to be working with Birmingham City Football Club,  with this year’s market set to take place on the football club’s grounds, creating an exciting  opportunity for even more residents to come together in a safe and welcoming space.” 

The festival will be located outside on the premises of Birmingham City  Football Club, subject to match scheduling. If a match is scheduled at St. Andrew's @  Knighthead Park, a backup site has been prepared so that the celebrations can continue.  Final event details will be shared nearer the time.