The Neighbourhood Futures Festival
Birmingham Settlement's annual Neighbourhood Futures Festival merges creativity, learning, arts & participation to support urban wellbeing & tackle climate challenges at local level. The grassroots festival brings together 40+ community partners and over 2,200 residents to take every day action for healthier, happier neighbourhoods.
What is the Neighbourhood Futures Festival?
The Neighbourhood Futures Festival is a community-powered celebration of nature, creativity and connection in the heart of Birmingham.
Taking place 26th-28th June 2026 at our Nature & Wellbeing Centre next to Edgbaston Reservoir, the festival brings thought-provoking activity, conversation, action, art, culture and performance focused on community wellbeing and climate change, exploring how we can combat global issues within our own neighbourhoods.
What to Expect at the Neighbourhood Futures Festival
Exploring Neighbourhood Futures
Now in its fourth year, the Neighbourhood Futures Festival is a space where ideas, creativity, community and action meet.
Rooted in Ladywood and shaped by the people who live here, it shows how neighbourhood-level initiatives can drive environmental equality, wellbeing and resilient communities in the face of global injustice.
This year, the festival spotlights local action and urban green spaces, creating opportunities for all voices to be heard in the climate conversation. People of all ages are invited to join, experiment and take action to discover how our shared spaces can support healthier, fairer and greener urban futures.
Power in Place – Friday 26 June
The festival opens with a deep dive into place-based climate action, bringing together local organisations, urban green and growing spaces, community groups, residents and anyone passionate about their neighbourhood and environment.
We shine a light on the inspiring work already happening across Ladywood and the city — from community gardens and bold initiatives for greener streets, to grassroots organising, micro-movements, hands-on experimentation and community-led change.
From late afternoon, we welcome everyone to a community picnic with food, hands-on activities, music and play – a relaxed space to celebrate local creativity and gently ease us into the weekend.
It’s a day to share learning, spark collaboration, connect with peers, generate practical ideas, build connections and grow mutual support.
Community Play & Discovery Days – Saturday 27 & Sunday 28 June
On Saturday and Sunday, the community comes together to celebrate nature and togetherness with two days full of play and exploration!
Bursting with outdoor theatre, live music, hands-on workshops, wellbeing sessions, sports and games, participatory activities, Forest School tasters, eco-demonstrations, nature crafts, and creative drop-ins, these joyful, family-friendly days invite everyone to gather, explore and celebrate the power of being outdoors together.
Soak up the relaxed festival vibes, bring family and friends – unwind and spend time in nature connecting with neighbours, making new friends and discovering new possibilities!
Neighbourhood Futures Festival 2025 highlights
Explore
Want to Volunteer?
Take action on climate change, help the environment, and support community wellbeing. Volunteering is a great opportunity to build confidence, learn or apply skills, make new friends and create positive impact. Opportunities range from hands-on help with set up, to supporting activities, stewarding, serving in the Café, supporting social media and marketing, and research and evaluation. To register your interest in volunteering email volunteer@bsettlement.org.uk
Our Festival Partners
It takes a village! The Neighbourhood Futures Festival emerged from our work with University of Birmingham Centre for Urban Wellbeing and now unites over 40 other passionate, environmentally-conscious organisations, artists, educators, wellbeing providers and local residents.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT NEIGHBOURHOOD FUTURES
Arts & Performances
Live music and participatory theatre, immersive site walkabouts, storytelling & creative workshops for all.
Workshops & Talks
Insight on every day climate action, re-imagining urban spaces, wellbeing & nature, climate justice.
Hands-on Activities
Experiential learning, practical action & workshops, wellbeing sessions, crafts, play, family fun & much more!
Finding the festival
Birmingham Settlement Nature & Wellbeing Centre, Edgbaston Reservoir, 79 Selwyn Road, Ladywood, Birmingham, B16 0SL
The Nature & Wellbeing Centre can be accessed directly from the Reservoir footpath or via the long driveway from Selwyn Road.
As a green festival, we encourage walking, cycling or using public transport where possible. Our small on-site car park is reserved for disabled parking and festival staff drop-off only, so if driving you will need to use nearby streets (parking is free).
Buses run regularly along Hagley Road, and the 11 & 80 bus stops on City Road are around an 8-minute walk away. We are also easily accessible by bike via the canal network and Harborne Walkway.
Please note, the festival is mostly outdoors, so don’t forget sun cream, hats, waterproofs – everything you need in changing climates! Unless high winds and torrential, the festival will go ahead in rain (we do have some covered spaces) – please just allow some flexibility with the running order.
Thank you to our 2026 festival sponsors
