Member Article

JQ Festival Returns to Birmingham This Summer

The annual Jewellery Quarter Festival returns this month with visitors set to enjoy a weekend of live music, crafts and street food with market stalls, arts and heritage tours, special events and much more. Returning on Saturday 22nd July from 10am to 8pm, the Jewellery Quarter’s renowned summer festival will host over 20 local businesses, including the likes of Pip’s Hot Sauce, Birmingham Stationery Co., and The Brownie & Bake Company.

Organised by the Jewellery Quarter Business Improvement District (JQBID), the JQ Festival is now back for its seventh instalment and is scheduled to kick off at 10am with the Golden Square Hand-crafted market. Visitors will be able to browse a selection of local hand-crafted goods from independent brands and meet the artisan makers and creators behind them, whilst treating themselves to a ‘99 and a flake in the sun from the Square’s very own ice cream van and tipple from pop-up vendors.

Alongside this, JQ Festival 2023 presents an abundance of interactive events throughout the day and evening for festivalgoers to participate in, including a selection of free guided and self-guided tours covering a range of heritage sites and museums, such as Wildlife Walks with Birmingham Museums Trust to a unique Catacomb tour. For those looking to try their hand at something new, visitors can make the most of the hands-on workshops, including chocolate making sessions, sensory dining experiences and even a prosecco and shopping pop-up stall for the adults.

What’s more, JQ Festival’s live music stage on the picturesque St Paul’s Square is returning for the third time with bands curated by The Jam House. The show will be taking place throughout the afternoon into the early evening and the party is set to continue into the night at venues surrounding the Square.

Commenting on the return of the Festival, Luke Crane, Chief Executive Officer of the JQBID, said:

“Last year was our first JQ Festival since before the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re thrilled to bring together local businesses, residents, and communities once again to celebrate the energy and heritage of the Jewellery Quarter.

“It was clear from last year’s Festival that events like this have been greatly missed from our local area and it is our ongoing mission to continue to promote the thriving independent retailers, bars and restaurants that sit at the heart of our growing community.

“The JQ Festival is a celebration of one of Birmingham’s most unique neighbourhoods and we welcome everyone and anyone in the area to pop down on the 22nd of July for an afternoon filled with live music, fantastic selection of food and drink, and an abundance of events that will make for an unforgettable afternoon. We look forward to seeing you all there!”

JQ Festival is set to return to Birmingham this month from 10am – 8pm on Saturday 22nd July 2023.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Claire Bryson .