Refugee Week 2025: Community as a superpower
From 16–22 June, Birmingham joins cities across the UK in celebrating Refugee Week 2025, a nationwide festival recognising the talent, resilience, and creativity of refugees and sanctuary seekers. The theme this year, “Community as a Superpower”, shines a light on how collective action helps build safe, inclusive, and thriving communities.
Refugee Week Weekender at MAC – Saturday 21 June (12–6 pm)
Kick off the celebrations at Midlands Arts Centre (MAC) on Cannon Hill Park with the World Music & Arts Festival, hosted by Celebrating Sanctuary and B:Music. This free, drop-in event brings together UK-based refugee and migrant artists from Guinea-Bissau, Sudan, Kurdistan, DR Congo, Iran, Haiti, and more.
Highlights include:
· 12–1 pm: Festival launch in the Hexagon Theatre, featuring spoken word and storytelling.
· 1–2 pm: Family storytelling in the Garden Studio.
· 2–6 pm: Outdoor terrace performances from vibrant acts like Mohamed Osman, Zirak & Traditionals, and Nifeco Costa & Babock Djazz
For more information click here.
Concert & Showcase at Symphony Hall – Sunday 22 June (1–4 pm)
Continuing the celebrations, Celebrating Sanctuary stages a special takeover at Symphony Hall, presenting an afternoon of music, art, and powerful stories from refugee artists from around the world. For more information click here.
Refugee Welcome March & Picnic – Saturday 21 June
On the same day, City of Sanctuary Birmingham invites everyone to a Refugee Welcome March from Moseley to Cannon Hill Park. The march culminates in a community picnic and a range of celebratory activities—an inclusive, family-friendly way to show solidarity and welcome newcomers. For more information click here.
Refugee Week is much more than just a series of celebrations—it is a vital platform that centres refugee voices and sends a powerful message: unity builds strength. In Birmingham, the events are vibrant cultural showcases that also stand as declarations of solidarity, openness, and compassion.
As the world’s largest arts and culture festival dedicated to recognising the contributions of refugees and people seeking sanctuary, Refugee Week 2025 spans over 15,000 events across the UK, engaging more than a million people. It enjoys the support of a broad coalition of partners, from the United Nations to local councils.
In Birmingham, Refugee Week 2025 is not only a celebration—it is a call to recognise our shared humanity and the extraordinary power of community. Join the events, connect with others, and discover why, together, community truly is our greatest superpower.
