Christmas in Birmingham: Events, Christmas Market & Things to do

Last Updated on 18th November 2025 by Charlotte Nadeau

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Welcome to Birmingham at Christmas! Come wintertime, the warm and spicy smell of Glühwein and sizzling Bratwurst fills Birmingham’s city centre air. Home to the longest running-festive event in the UK, nearly 5 million visitors flock to the city’s Christmas market each year, which boasts as being “the largest authentic German Christmas market outside of Germany and Austria”. Here’s your guide to Christmas in Birmingham!

2025 Christmas market dates: 1st November 2025 – 24th December 2025 (Please note, some of the events and pop-ups may have varying dates)

A brief history of Birmingham’s Christmas market

The Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market, as it’s officially titled, initially came about through a collaboration made between the partner cities of Frankfurt and Birmingham in 1997.

In the winter of ’97, around ten humble small wooden chalets were placed in the city centre. However, the event didn’t return until 2001, when, this time, twenty-four stalls were set up for the festive season.

Everyone soon realised that a Christmas market, in the traditional German style, was exactly the festive cheer that was ever so needed, and so, the event was here to stay!

This meant to be just a one-off event has since flourished to be an annual feature in Birmingham. Proving so popular, the festive event has turned into a mile-long trail of over 200 huts and welcomes almost 5 million visitors each year.

Where is it held?

The Christmas market in Birmingham now takes place all along New Street, and runs from the Bullring all the way out to Victoria Square. There are also other festivities happening in Centenary Square, and a small craft market which takes place next to Birmingham Cathedral.

When’s the best time to visit?

Generally speaking, most Christmas markets are best visited at night when the dazzling display of illuminations twinkle, and all those who pass by are warmed by the festive glow.

However, a trip during the daytime is a great opportunity to marvel at the city’s architecture. Some of the most notable sights include the beautiful Grade I listed building, Birmingham Town Hall, and the intricately carved Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery.

Stall variety 

Although it’s a German-style Christmas market, the variety is much more limited than that of the Christmas markets found in say the Alsace or Germany.

It has to be said, the main attraction of Birmingham’s Christmas market is undoubtedly its wide variety of food and drinks on offer. There are of course, the typical German specialities, from sizzling bratwurst (vegan options too!), hot pretzels, craft beers, and candied nuts. Plenty of stalls also have decorative sweets and chocolates that make for perfect gifts.

Overall, the souvenirs and gifts found here are largely mass-produced and don’t seem of great quality. However, for unique goods to purchase there is a small craft market beside the cathedral where you can find handmade treasures, made mostly by local artisans.

Food and drink 

The Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market has a variety of food stalls and you’re more than likely to be tempted from the mouthwatering scents that waft through the air, all making for delicious festive treats!

It should be noted, as it tends to be with most markets, the food and drink is a little more on the pricey side. We purchased a vegan bratwurst which cost £6.50, and while it was nice enough, it certainly wasn’t worth the price.

Another thing that you’ll quickly notice while wandering around is that many of the stalls are repeated, and a lot of the same things are on offer.

Entertainment 

The Christmas market itself is completely free to visit and wander around, and in terms of entertainment there are several things to be enjoyed. From ice skating, drinking beer in the French Alps style bar area, to ice skating or listening to a singing moose belt out festive tunes!

Après ski bar 

This Winter pop-up-bar is open daily from 10am to 9pm, and is where visitors can feel transported to The French Alps! Inside the cosy wooden chalet there are the typical warming festive drinks, frosty steins of German beer, and delicious authentic style dishes being served.

Ice skating 

Whether it’s slipping and sliding on the ice yourself or simply watching others clumsily navigate the ice, nothing screams the festive season more than a visit to an ice rink. Located at Centenary Square, this large undercover ice rink is open from 10 am – 10 pm every day, and is open to the public from November 1st to January 4th 2026.

The Big Wheel

Also found on Centenary Square next to the ice rink is The Big Wheel, a brightly illuminated Ferris wheel where people can enjoy the slow rotation, and soak up views of the twinkling market and city from above.

Winter Funland 

This area is family focused and where kids can enjoy endless amounts of fun on the different fairground rides. Best visited at nighttime when all the rides are lit up, Birmingham boasts as being home to  the UK’s largest indoor Christmas funfair!

DJ (and snow machine!)

Something that surprised us upon visiting the market was that there was a small DJ booth blasting out tunes. And, on occasion, a snow machine will dust visitors with a light sprinkle of white snow, just to add to the festive ambiance.

Carrousel

As is tradition, and commonly found in the best of Christmas markets, Birmingham too has a beautifully decorated and nostalgic, vintage carrousel (which makes for perfect photo opportunities!)

Brum’s Christmas Reindeer Trail

As of this year (2025) nine of Santa’s reindeer will be visiting Birmingham city, all of which can be found via a special map as part of a magical sculpture trail.

The Central BID have specially designed Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and, of course, Rudolph, and dotted them throughout the city where they can be seen until the 6th of January 2025.

Singing moose 

Home to a singing moose, which does indeed have it’s vert own X (formerly known as Twitter) account. Chris Moose, as he’s better known, is a beloved animated animal who sings festive songs each year to visitors at the entrance of the market.

How expensive is it?

Unfortunately, as with everything it seems, the prices are soaring and Christmas markets are no exception. The general price of drinks starts from £6.50/7.00, while most food items are at least £7.00 or more. Many people have commented on the costliness of this market, particularly this year.

Tips for visiting

Watch out for pickpockets

As with any crowded place, pickpockets are more likely to take advantage, so be aware of your belongings at all times and keep them close by. I recommend bringing a small zip-bag, anything bigger and you might just find it extra hassle when moving through the busier areas of the market.

You can pay by card 

While cash is often preferred among some of the smaller vendors, the majority of stall holders have card machines, so you don’t need to worry about carrying cash with you.

Deposit for mugs 

When purchasing a hot beverage, you’ll often have to pay a small deposit for the mugs. It’s up to you whether or not you keep your festive mug (they are very cute!) but once returned, you’ll receive your money back. For this, I would suggest having some cash on hand. The deposit tends to be around £5.

Other attractions in Birmingham to check out during the Festive period

Cathedral 

The Cathedral Church of Saint Philip, or as it’s better known, Birmingham Cathedral, is a beautiful 18th century ecclesial building in the heart of the city.

A small Christmas Craft Market now takes place on Cathedral Square as of 2021, it was established to provide a sustainable platform for local artists to showcase their handmade treasures to Christmas shoppers.

This year Christmas in Cathedral Square will take place from Wednesday 13th November to Sunday 22nd December 2024.

In terms of the cathedral itself, fans of Pre-Raphaelite artwork will be delighted to discover that there are several examples of the Victorian Burne-Jones stained glass windows found within.

And, some time in early December a Christmas carol service is held by the local choir. The service is free to visit (donations are welcomed) and festive refreshments are served after the concert.

The covered shopping arcades

You may well not know this, but Birmingham is home to a number of covered shopping streets dating back several centuries. Come Christmastime the passageways are decorated with lights, trees and baubles.

Reminiscent of the covered passages of Cardiff, these arcades are home to a variety of businesses, and many of the passages are beautiful architecturally in of themselves!

Piccadilly Arcade – Located close to Tim Horton’s, as well as the beautifully appointed Apple Building (seriously, the shop’s ceiling is complete with a stunning 20th-century stained glass skylight!), the covered arcade’s ceiling is adorned with, while the shops themselves are predominantly independent and well worth a wander through.

Great Western Arcade – So-called thanks to its former ties to the Great Western Railway company, today the covered shopping arcade is a hotspot for independent shops and eateries. Among the tiny stores, you’ll soon discover a Whisky Shop, a traditional sweet vendor, and even a macaron seller whose sweets have appeared in countless magazines and online publications

Letters to Santa at Selfridges

One for the little ones, this ultra cosy festive event takes place on level one in the Kids’ & Toyshop section of Selfridges department store. Even if you just visit Selfridges for the decorations and window displays alone, it’s enough to fill your spirits with festive joy!

Final thoughts 

While we certainly enjoyed our visit to Birmingham’s Christmas Market, and all of its festive cheer, we did leave wondering whether or not it was worth it?

So, here’s are final summary: I think if you come to the Christmas market with the right expectations, knowing it’s more about the festive food and drinks, illuminations and overall ambiance, then it’s great fun!

However, you should be aware that despite its size, many of the stalls are repeated, it can be very expensive, and there are several ads everywhere, so it does feel at points like too much commercialism is being shoved in your face.

Overall, I wouldn’t necessarily travel out of my way to visit the Christmas markets (just in the UK generally), as there are so many amazing original markets in Germany, Austria and France to be enjoyed. But, if you know what to expect then, it’s certainly worth visiting with all the above in mind! (Please note, this is strictly a subjective stance)

Where to stay near the market

If you’re only visiting Birmingham for a short while, I recommend staying as close to the market as possible. After all, it’s centrally located so you’re close by to plenty of other attractions and places to eat out. It’s worth noting that December does tend to drive up the prices in the city for accommodation. Here are a few suggestions of where to stay:

Aparthotel Adagio Birmingham – We opted to stay at this hotel, situated in the heart of the city it’s just 200 metres from the Bullring Shopping Centre. The hotel was clean, comfortable and reasonably priced per night. Check prices and availability here.

easyHotel Birmingham City Centre – Set within a redbrick Victorian building, this easy going budget hotel is just 4-minutes walk from Birmingham New Street train station and a 5-minute walk from the Grand Central shopping centre. Check prices and availability here.

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