Simmer Down is one of the largest and most diverse festivals in Birmingham. Situated in the beautiful surroundings of Handsworth Park, it is a free family fun-day festival, which celebrates Birmingham’s rich cultural diversity by paying tribute to the centrality of reggae and other musical genres that have contributed to Birmingham as an international city of culture.
 

The festival’s programme, taking place across several stages, features music, dance, visual arts and participation activities for all the family including workshops, face painting, rides, arts and crafts stalls plus a selection of food stalls offering treats from across the city’s cultural cuisines.

Organiser’s message – After months of planning, securing artists, suppliers and putting in place additional health and safety measures to meet the Safety Advisory Group conditions, the Government’s decision to extend Covid-19 lockdown restrictions to 19th July meant that our festival date of 18th July fell within the restriction guidelines.

However, we were determined that the festival had to go ahead with all the necessary covid-19 social distancing protocols, especially as our communities have had to endure months of gloom and doom pandemic lockdowns. Since the announcement, we have worked tirelessly with our Board members and various stakeholders to find an alternative date that is conducive to the availability of our headline artists and also fits in with the festival’s operational and infrastructural requirements.

As such, we are delighted to announce that the much loved Simmer Down Festival will take place in Handsworth Park on Sunday 22nd August – it will be headlined by ASWAD plus one of funk and disco’s preeminent bands, HEATWAVE alongside an array of local artists, musicians, and DJs – please join us with your family and friends and pass the word!

Dates and Times

Dates: 28 Jul 2025 *

Dates and times marked with a ‘*’ are provisional and may be subject to changes or licenses, arranging for seating or equipment rentals, coordinating with vendors or catering services, and ensuring that any special requirements or accommodations are met for attendees