The Spring Festival is moving. In 2026 the event will take place at Town Hall, Birmingham and the Jennifer Blackwell space at Symphony Hall.
The three Spring Festival qualifying contests that lead successful bands to the British Open have their own proud histories, but were brought together as a three tier qualification series in 2002.
The event is open to bands from the UK and abroad who are attracted by the high quality music choices and the renowned sociable atmosphere of the contest day.
Promotion and relegation from the various sections gives the day a unique competitive edge of expectation, with the winners and runner-up at the Grand Shield gaining an invitation to compete at the British Open, whilst the Senior Cup and Senior Trophy also offer pathways to take a step closer to Symphony Hall.
