A landmark year — the Spring Festival’s first in Birmingham
After many fantastic years in Blackpool, the Spring Festival is on the move — and 2026 marks the start of an exciting new era in Birmingham.
Across the weekend we’ll be welcoming 60 bands across three contest sections, bringing a packed programme of brilliant contesting to the heart of the country.
And Birmingham is made for a national event like this: a vibrant live-music city, incredibly well connected, with Birmingham New Street station at the centre of the UK rail network — making it easier for bands and supporters to meet in one place for a full weekend.
TICKETS ON SALE THIS WEEK
The 104th Spring Festival (2026) takes place on 2–3 May 2026, bringing a new era of qualifying contesting to Birmingham Town Hall and the Jennifer Blackwell Performance Space.
Tickets go on sale via a B:Music now.
“The Spring Festival’s move to Birmingham is the beginning of an exciting new era.
Karyn Mortimer, Owner – The British Open
We look forward to welcoming bands, supporters, and new audiences to
these incredible venues……the team have worked hard to make the weekend
a great success, with simple discounts for anyone wishing to enjoy
the full weekend experience”
Bandsman Tickets Available to Purchase:
watch from your allocated seat when not playing.
A Bandsman Ticket is a limited-allocation audience ticket reserved for contesting players taking part in the contest. It allows you to watch the contest when you’re not on stage, from an allocated seat in the auditorium (location varies by venue and availability). Seats are allocated — Bandsman Ticket holders can’t sit anywhere they choose.
Bandsman Tickets must be purchased through the B:Music ticketing office, while wristbands are issued at the start of the day to a representative of each band. Audience access is managed by checking both a valid Bandsman Ticket and the matching wristband, so tickets can’t be passed to supporters or used by non-band personnel.
Bandsman Tickets are for audience access only — they don’t replace access to play in the contest, or provide unlimited backstage access beyond the areas bands are entitled to use.
More details on Bandsman Tickets (including allocations and collection arrangements) will be sent directly to each competing band.
Weekend schedule & set works
Senior Trophy — Saturday — Jennifer Blackwell Performance Space
Un Vie de Matelot (Robert Farnon)
Senior Cup — Saturday — Birmingham Town Hall
Ballet for Band (Joseph Horovitz)
Grand Shield — Sunday — Birmingham Town Hall
Star Crossed Lovers (Stephen Roberts)
Two venues with serious musical pedigree
Birmingham Town Hall
First opened in 1834, Town Hall is one of the UK’s great historic stages and its story is packed with iconic moments. It has hosted appearances by Queen Victoria and leading suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst, and in 1853 Charles Dickens gave the first public reading of A Christmas Carol there.
The modern roll-call is just as legendary, including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Nina Simone, and David Bowie.
Jennifer Blackwell Performance Space
A dedicated, up-close setting within Symphony Hall — designed for more intimate events, with a multi-level stage and full surround seating. It can host up to around 200 people depending on layout — perfect when you want to feel close to every detail of the performance.
It’s also a space that regularly welcomes exciting artists — recent examples include Ashley Allen, Casey Bailey, and The Lost Notes.
Ticket On-Sale Information
Tickets Available now from B:music booking office
