Birmingham is getting a new design event that avoids the scale of a typical trade show – Design Festival North is coming to the city for the first time with a clear focus on products, brands, and direct interaction…
Design Festival North, Birmingham is based across the Jewellery Quarter, with activity centred around St Paul’s Square and extending into surrounding streets, showrooms, and venues. Rather than a single location, it uses the wider district as its footprint.
Many design brands will be part of the main hub at St Paul’s market, with additional activations across nearby spaces. The format is straightforward: visitors can see products up close, speak directly to brands, and move easily between locations.
Image credit: Design Festival North
This distributed setup reflects how the industry works in practice—through local networks rather than one central venue—and keeps the event connected to the area.
It’s delivered in partnership with the Jewellery Quarter BID, linking the festival to ongoing efforts to promote the district as a place for business and culture.
Taking place in June, the event adds to Birmingham’s growing design profile. It focuses on products and commercial work rather than talks or conferences.
Design Festival North is known for its informal, accessible format, bringing together designers, architects, and specifiers without the usual barriers. The emphasis is on making connections and supporting ongoing work
When: June 17th, 11-5pm
Where: St Paul’s Market
Main image credit: Design Festival North
