Halloween in Birmingham in 2011, like other years, falls on 31 October, which this year is a Monday. Check the weather forecast to determine yours and your children's choice of clothing for the evening.
Like other UK towns and cities, Halloween is mainly an early evening adventure for children who offer a trick or treat to those who answer their knock at the door and has been a customary celebration by children for centuries.
Children go in costume from house to house, asking for treats such as candy or sometimes money, with the question, "Trick or Treat?" The word "trick" refers to a "threat" of possible mischief to the householder if a treat is not offered. In most cases children usually ignore the threat element if the door is answered by someone disagreeing with the practice. The children always seem to do well in obtaining treats as by the end of the night the majority are carrying carrier bags full of the goodies received. If you are staying in one of the many hotels in Birmingham, you probably won't be disturbed.
The costumes chosen by children range from witches, monster's, ghost's, skeleton's, Dracula and anything else that helps to frighten the unsuspecting householder, most, however, are waiting for that knock on the door and have a bag of goodies ready for distribution to the children. Younger children are normally accompanied by a parent, who as they get older still carry on with the trick or treat tradition but by then on their own. Some of the costumes the children dress up in are quite amazing with some considerable time and effort having gone into their design. For those who are not so gifted with needle and thread, there are numerous fancy dress shops in Birmingham that are only too pleased to help.
Halloween in Birmingham is also celebrated by the purchase of a pumpkin from the local supermarket or greengrocers & fruit sellers in Birmingham and both children and adults involve themselves with the annual hollowing out of the pumpkin and the cutting out of the eyes, nose and face. This is followed by the insertion of a lighted candle into the pumpkin on the night of Halloween which is then placed in the front window for all passersby to see and admire.
For the adults Birmingham offers a wide choice of Halloween events and places to go with hotels and restaurants in Birmingham encouraging adults to dress up in their Halloween costumes, including dried blood and combed back and heavily creamed hair for the would be Draculas. Broad Street, with its large selection of pubs and clubs is the place to be to see the variety of differing costumes being worn. If you intend to treat yourself to an evening meal, book early or you may be disappointed.
For the ghost hunters, try journeying to Dudley and have a wander around the allegedly haunted castle. There are regular tours organised around the castle during the night of Halloween.
The City Council have in the past organised a Ghost, Ghouls and Spooks tour of the city which takes you round various landmarks and little known backstreets, whilst being told of the various horrible deeds and awful goings on from the past. Soho house has also opened its doors to would be Halloween ghost hunters.
There is also the usual Halloween event coverage in the Birmingham Mail and other local newspaper's.
For visitors, Birmingham is an easy place to visit, with its local airport, offering flights from virtually every other airport in the UK. There is also easy access by road with its closeness to the M6, M5, M42 and M40 motorways and rail access via New Street, Moor Street and Snow Hill stations. The Birmingham to Wolverhampton Metro offers a tram ride for people from the various Black Country towns.
Once in the city, you will find travel and the easy availability and comfort of transport perhaps a good reason for the car drivers to leave their cars parked up and leave the navigation around Brum in someone else's hands.
For those staying for a short period there are always a variety of events taking place and there are always numerous things to do in the Second City. If on your wanders you are concerned about getting lost, consider the purchase of a local tourist map.
As visitors, you may even decide to return and spend Christmas with us?
The shopping available is probably second only to London and if during your shopping adventure you start feeling the need for food and water, there are numerous restaurants, pubs, bars & inns in Birmingham that are all very welcoming.
For those travelling to Birmingham from afar why not stay a few nights at the one of the many hotels on offer and have a look at the various attractions which are available, or even try our very own Birmingham Walkabout.
Whatever your choice, have a great Halloween but do be both safe and careful.
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