Saturday 15 August 2026
The Jewellery Quarter’s most-loved community celebration returns this summer, and it’s set to be bigger and better than ever.
St Paul’s Summer Fete takes place on Saturday 15 August 2026, right in the heart of St Paul’s Square — Birmingham’s last remaining Georgian square and one of the most beautiful settings in the city. Admission is free, everyone is welcome, and all proceeds go directly to our Raise the Roof campaign.
A Day to Remember in the Jewellery Quarter
Whether you’re a long-time resident, a first-time visitor, or a business owner in the JQ, this is your chance to spend a summer afternoon in great company. We’re expecting over 1,000 people to join us throughout the day — neighbours, families, professionals, heritage enthusiasts, dog owners, and lovers of good food and live music.
Here’s what to look forward to:
- Live music and DJ sets from Blue Dot Radio throughout the day
- Artisan market stalls — handmade crafts, local produce, unique gifts
- Dog agility course — bring your four-legged friends, fun for all abilities
- Bouncy castle for the little ones
- Local food and drink — whether you want a proper bite or a sweet treat
- Church bells and guided tours of this stunning Grade I listed building
- A popular raffle with fantastic prizes (drawn at the end of the afternoon)
- New for 2026: we’re thrilled to introduce a family marquee, packed with activities including face painting, splash art, and golf putting — the perfect spot for younger visitors and a great reason to make a full afternoon of it.
Why It Matters
St Paul’s has stood at the heart of the Jewellery Quarter since 1779. As we approach our 250th anniversary in 2029, the church is on the Heritage at Risk register — and we face the urgent challenge of raising £660,000 to repair and replace the roof, averting catastrophic water damage to this irreplaceable building.
Our annual summer fete is one of the most important events in our fundraising calendar. Thanks to the generosity of the JQ community, local businesses, and visitors to previous fetes, we’ve already raised over £200,000 towards our target. Every penny raised on 15 August brings us closer to securing this landmark for future generations.
As our Vicar, the Reverend David Tomlinson, puts it:
“We always have tremendous fun at the church’s annual fete — and this year is set to be the biggest and best yet. The church will be open for guided tours or a few moments of quiet contemplation away from the crowds. And everyone who spends money will be helping to protect this beautiful, iconic church for this and future generations.”
Come Along — and Bring Everyone You Know
The fete is free to attend. No tickets, no registration — just turn up, enjoy the afternoon, and be part of something that matters.
When: Saturday 15 August 2026, 12 noon – 5pm
Where: St Paul’s Square, Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham
Admission: Free
To support the Raise the Roof campaign ahead of the fete, you can donate online at stpaulsjq.church/donate.
And if you’re a local business interested in being part of the day as a partner or sponsor, we’d love to hear from you — partnership opportunities are still available. Get in touch at kidneydavid@gmail.com.
See you in the Square
All proceeds from the St Paul’s Summer Fete support the Raise the Roof campaign — a major fundraising initiative to preserve and protect St Paul’s Church for future generations. The campaign has the support of The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England.
