CoCoMAD Festival

This is one of my favourite annual events. It’s an outdoor community festival set in the lovely surroundings of Cotteridge Park and it really does have something for everyone. The focal point is a main stage providing live music that ranges from local bands to church choirs, plus the occasional dance troupe or drumming act, which most of the visitors settle down in front of on rugs and with picnics. Around the outside of the park there are tens of stalls selling all kinds of different and interesting food, and also plenty of activity for the kids — face-​painting, magic shows, balloons, etc.
If the weather is nice this year when it’s held in July I would heartily recommend spending an afternoon here. Great fun.

Can’t think of anywhere to take the kids over the summer holidays? But you still want to have a good time yourself? Then CoCoMAD Festival is definitely for you; And best of all, it’s free (subject to donations for the bands and organisation).
This yearly music festival takes place in Cotteridge park every July, and it’s a very popular destination for families alike, who can lap up the sun while listening to some great local music. Well known Brummie band Misty’s Big Adventure usually perform here (but I don’t think they are this year), as well as returners Tempting Rosie, and other unmissable Birmingham talents. The general public are also invited every year to take part in the acoustic open mic tent, so the experience really does incorporate the whole community.
There are also tonnes of activities for children to get involved in. such as folk instrument making, tree climbing, and a range of other events. CoCoMAD also houses several different arts and crafts stalls for kids and grown-​ups alike, such as wood carvings, face painting and dark age jewellery.
And of course, no festival would be complete without organic food stalls, from the likes of Soul Food Project and other local food specialists. I highly recommend the hog roast that can be purchased from the festival. It’s truly delicious!
CoCoMAD really does provide the perfect summery vibe, and it’s always buzzing with people and vibrancy every year. The highlight of CoCoMAD is of course the float, which marks the beginning of the festival by circling roads surrounding the park. Children can get involved by help designing a float too!