Everything You Need to Know About Birmingham Refreshers 2026

About the author: Hi! My name is Tamara Greatrix, but I usually go by Tam, and I’m a 3rd year BA English Literature student at the University of Birmingham. I am currently the Print & Features and Culture Editor for Redbrick Newspaper and writer for The Tab. In my spare time, I ride horses and love visiting the theatre.

After a hectic winter break spent finishing assignments and catching up with friends and family back home, it can feel daunting to return to the daily routine of university. Fortunately, no matter what year you are in, plenty is happening across Birmingham to help make settling back in easier. From university events to city-wide socials, Refreshers is the perfect opportunity to start the new term in good standing. Let me guide you through all Brum has to offer.

The Guild of Students Refreshers Fair

If you are more of a homebody, the Guild of Students Refreshers Fair on the 20th January is a great way to ease back into university without the hassle of venturing into the city centre. Grab a few close friends and head to the University of Birmingham Student Guild for the free event (remember your student ID), where you can meet popular brands and pick up plenty of freebies! If you have ever thought about joining a society but weren’t sure where to start, the Give it a Go sessions offer a no-commitment taster of a wide range of societies, making it easy to try something new without signing up straight away.

The fair has a variety of accessibility measures in place to ensure an inclusive experience for all attendees. There is step-free access throughout the venue, with staff on hand to assist. The event will also open slightly earlier, from 11:00-11:30 am ahead of general admission, and will operate at reduced capacity and lower noise levels to provide a more comfortable environment for those who find large crowds or loud noises challenging.

The Guild of Students Housing Fair

For those planning to stay at the university next year and thinking about accommodation options, a Housing Fair will be running alongside the Refreshers Fair on 20th January at the UoB Guild. The University of Birmingham’s dedicated housing team will be on hand to answer any queries you may have and offer guidance on next steps.

Refreshers on Broad Street

Hosted by Naughty Horse on 22nd January, the Refreshers Broad Street Bar Crawl is set to be one of the biggest events of January, bringing together students from all the universities in Birmingham to some of the biggest clubs in the city. Ticket prices range from £1 to £10, depending on how early you purchase. The whole route has not yet been announced, but the crawl will finish at Snobs. With drink deals available all night long and no obligation to attend every venue, the event offers plenty of flexibility for a great night out.

Note: Even though it is a bar crawl, drinking is not compulsory, and you can still have a great night without alcohol! For more ideas on how to enjoy Birmingham sober, check out Content Ambassador Ash's post on fun alcohol-free things to do in Birmingham.

Student Saturdays: Circo

Circo in Selly Oak is already a popular spot among University of Birmingham students, and for 2026 the venue is teaming up with Naughty Horse to launch its brand-new event, Student Saturdays. The event kicks off on the 24th of January, with tickets starting at £1 and all-night drink deals.

The event will run every Saturday, and with free t-shirts, bucket hats, themed nights and giveaways, it is a great way to let off some steam after a productive week. As a student-only venue, Circo offers the added peace of mind compared to other venues in the city, while providing an opportunity to meet new people at university.

Note: Circo has a strict entry policy, enforced at every event. To enter the event, you must be searched and provide a valid student ID and a government-issued ID.

Final take

No matter what you fancy this Refreshers Week, plenty is going on across Birmingham to get involved with. Whether you are looking to grab some freebies, discover new societies or enjoy a night out, this guide should help you make the most of what Birmingham has to offer. However you choose to spend it, have a great Refreshers Week!

Our UniHomes Content Ambassadors are current students across the UK who share tips about student life in their city to help you make the most of your time at uni. If you're interested in writing for our programme, click here for more details.

Whilst you’re out having fun in your new uni city, remember that UniHomes promotes responsible drinking, and any alcohol products featured within this article are for ages 18+.

The views and opinions expressed in these blogs are those of the UniHomes Content Ambassadors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of UniHomes. UniHomes accepts no liability for the content of these Student Blogs.