Sarehole Festival will take place from 10am to 5pm on both Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st May 2026.
The Festival returns to the field adjacent to Sarehole Mill at Sarehole Recreation Ground, Cole Bank Road, Birmingham, B13 0BD. For more information about travel to the festival, visit our getting here page.
Sarehole Festival is a family-friendly event with activities for both children and grown ups.
You can just arrive and pay for entry, or very soon entry bands will be available to purchase online so that you can just go straight in with no queuing
Yes, general parking in available on a field on the south side of Cole Bank Road. Our steward will direct you appropriate. However, we would recommend coming to the Festival via public transport.
Yes, a limited amount of disabled parking is available at the Festival. If you need accessible parking, please let one of our stewards know and they will be able to direct you to the most appropriate location.
This year we are having to charge an entrance fee, and all monies raised go towards funding the event the following year
Yes! There were events previously held on this site called “Middle Earth Festival”, “Middle Earth Weekend”, “Tolkien Weekend” and “Fun at the Mill”. This new name honours J.R.R. Tolkien’s connection with Sarehole and the Mill.
The Festival is a wonderful opportunity for those who have seen the films or who are entirely new to the series to find out more. The activities and events on offer extend far beyond the contents of the books and anybody with an interest in history, crafts or nature will also find plenty at the festival to keep them entertained!
You might get a bit wet! But, the majority of activities take place in large tents and gazebos, so that we can hold the event as usual whatever the weather.
Many of our visitors come in costume. This always helps to create a great atmosphere. If you’d rather just come as yourself, remember that the Festival takes place in a field. Dress for the weather, which could mean umbrellas or sun cream or – this being Britain – both!
Please remember to bring cash with you as not all traders are able to accept card payments.
Yes, dogs are welcome at the festival so long as their owners are well behaved! Messes should be disposed of promptly and water bowls will be provided.