Your ultimate guide to the Birmingham Christmas market
Birmingham is a growing city. It's growing in stature, growing in population and growing as a hub for business, retail and food. Oh, and the Birmingham Christmas market is growing, too.
The market has been a festive fixture since 2001. Back then, it hosted just 24 stalls. Today, however, it's the 'largest authentic German Christmas market outside Germany', with more than 100 stalls selling everything from wooden decorations to weissbier.
And in 2023, it was voted the third-best Christmas market in the UK. It's little wonder it attracts more than 5.5 million visitors each year.
Want to make it 5.5 million plus one? Here's everything you need to know as a visitor.
Essential information
The Birmingham Christmas market runs from Friday 1 November to Tuesday 24 December 2024. It's open until 9 p.m. daily, except on Saturdays when it shuts at 9.30 p.m. Entry is free.
It's easy to find. The stalls stretch from New Street (near the station) to Victoria Square, not far from Birmingham's main canals and the elegant Brindleyplace retail complex.
Oh, and a quick note about the name. The market's official title is the 'Frankfurt Christmas Market Birmingham'. That's because Birmingham is twinned with Frankfurt in Germany – and the market is affiliated with Frankfurt's own.
Call it 'the Birmingham Christmas market' and you'll be fine, though. That's what all the locals call it.
Getting in and parking up
One of the easiest ways to reach the Christmas market is by train.
Are you staying with us at the Westmead, one of the best hotels in Birmingham? We're close to Longbridge and Alvechurch rail stations, which have Park and Ride facilities. From these stations, it's only a short hop to Birmingham New Street. When you get there, follow the signs for the Stephenson Street exit and then walk up Lower Temple Street. You'll know when you've reached the market – you can't miss it.
Are you coming by car? There are plenty of car parks near to the Birmingham Christmas market. That includes the multi-storey Birmingham New Street Car Park and the council-run Town Hall Car Park.
Be warned, though: the Christmas market is very popular, so you should expect delays as you travel in and out of the city centre. But give your schedule a bit of wriggle room and you'll be fine.
Food options
You can't visit Birmingham in December without sampling some of the market's culinary curiosities. The event is famous for its very German (and very tasty) food.
In fact, you'll probably smell the market before you see it. That'll be the delicious odour of sausages, pretzels or roasted almonds – or an intoxicating blend of all three.
If you have to choose one snack, make it bratwurst. Every third stall (or near enough) specialises in this delicately spiced German sausage – with a soft bun and plenty of mustard, of course.
Or, if you're vegetarian, you can't go wrong with a pretzel. These are soft, doughy, salty, proper pretzels: a far cry from the dry, crunchy snacks you get in packets. Yum.
Drink options
Need something to wash down your lunch? Head over to Victoria Square, where you'll find a bevy of pop-up bars and a Christmas-via-Oktoberfest vibe. Here, thirsty shoppers and post-work revellers clink huge glass mugs of German beer.
Be sure to sample the weissbier (wheat beer) or Münchener bier (a Munich speciality) – or, if you don't drink alcohol, a steaming hot chocolate. It's a real hug in a mug – with a huge dollop of whipped cream on top. Divine.
Of course, it doesn't get much more Christmassy than mulled wine. You'll see stall after stall serving gallon upon gallon of the stuff. If you want to impress the stallholders, ask for a Glühwein (pronounced 'glue-vine') – that's what the Germans call it.
Gifts and goodies
The Birmingham Christmas Market isn't all about the taste buds. Along with food and drink stalls, there are plenty of merchants who specialise in gifts and other goodies.
Toys are a particular speciality. Know a little railway fan who'd love an old-timey train set? Or a chum who'd cherish a traditional Nutcracker figurine? The market is crammed with curiosities like these, so you'll have great fun shopping around.
Need to stock up on Christmas decorations? You'll find thousands – from big, glitzy reindeer statues to cute little snow globes. We particularly like the handmade wooden baubles, which are cut into the shapes of Christmas trees, ice skates and other festive fare.
And this is just the start. If you love unique jewellery, clothing or handicrafts, you might believe you're one snowfall away from Yuletide paradise.
Entertainment
Now, you might be thinking, 'Mulled wine is entertaining enough, thank you'. And we'd agree with you.
But mulled wine and Christmas music? Well, that's a recipe for winter magic.
Luckily for us, the market hosts musical acts throughout its run. And while this year's lineup is yet to be confirmed, you can bet there'll be a mix of toe-tapping local artists and good old schlager. (That's syrupy German pop, in case you're unaware.)
Most of the entertainment takes place on a large stage in Victoria Square. Stick around in this area if you fancy a dance – your feet will soon be rewarded.
Where to stay
If you're keen to experience the Birmingham Christmas market but would rather slip away from the crowds when you've had your fill, we've got you covered.
Westmead Hotel is an independent, family-run hotel located in Hopwood, a cosy village around eight miles south of Birmingham city centre. Stay with us and you'll have easy access to the market – and a lovely soft bed waiting for you when you get back.
To make matters more festive, we've prepared a selection of Christmas dining packages, too. Fancy a jolly good roast with all the trimmings on 25 December? Spend Christmas in Birmingham with us and you can expect a full belly, a magical atmosphere and a very warm welcome.