It’s been a bit doom and gloom in Birmingham recently, but the return of the Frankfurt Christmas Market should light up some faces. Originally brought from Birmingham’s twin city Frankfurt in 1997, this now iconic Christmas market sees the return of over a hundred stalls. So deck the halls with boughs of holly and belt out your favourite Christmas carols, Christmas is coming!
“My heart belongs in Birmingham and I have celebrated Christmas with the people of Birmingham for so many years now,” recently said Kurt Stroscher – who looks after the Christmas markets in both Birmingham and our twin city of Frankfurt – to the BBC. “It is always a pleasure to share our Christmas with the city.”
When will the Birmingham Christmas Market take place?
Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market will once again fill New Street and Victoria Square in 2023 and will be held from November 2 until Christmas Eve. It is the largest authentic German Christmas market outside of Germany and Austria. Attracting around 5.5 million visitors, this massive tourist attraction brings in around £350m each year.
Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market will also be open for longer this year, with an incredible 53 days of Christmas celebrations in the city centre! That’s one extra day than last year if you couldn’t work it out! Opening hours will differ in 2023, however, compared to the regular 10am to 9pm of the previous years.
Opening hours:
Monday to Thursday: 11am to 9pm
Friday: 11am to 9.30pm
Saturday: 10am to 9.30pm
Sunday: 10am to 9pm
What can I find at Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market?
With over a hundred stalls expected at this year’s Christmas market in 2023, you’ll be able to grab everything like mulled wine, stollen, weissbier, pretzels, bratwursts, hot chocolate and plenty more other Xmas treats. As well as, handcrafted wooden decorations, glass baubles, leatherwork, toys, jewellery and more!
Just some of the food and drinks prices this year include £8 for a half-metre sausage, £12.50 for a double pint and £6 for gluhwein. A beer and sausage combo will cost £12.50. Meanwhile, hot chocolate is £5, and boozy hot chocolates are £7. This year, Birmingham Christmas Market has introduced a ‘one beer each’ rule, which means bars will only be allowed to sell one alcoholic drink per person at a time.
What else is happening at Christmas in Birmingham?
While technically all separate entities, many of the festivities blur into one another in Birmingham at Christmas. Providing Brummies with a fully-covered, indoor ice skating experience in Centenary Square is Ice Skate Birmingham, from November 2 to January 7, 2024. It’s joined by the iconic Big Wheel, providing tremendous views of Birmingham and the people ice skating below.
Birmingham’s other big market, Christmas in Cathedral Square, is running from November 15 to December 17. There are forty-stall markets outside of Birmingham Cathedral, with everything from fine wines and fried chicken to macaroons and craft beer, as well as traditional crafts, ornaments, and gifts from local West Midlands traders. We’ll also see the return of the infamous Pigeon in the Park pub, with vendors including Purecraft Bar and Kitchen, Vagabond Wines and Hookways.
One of the most festive ways of taking in all that Birmingham City Centre has to offer is by following the annual Christmas trail. Based on the animated short, The Snowman and the Snowdog, Snowdogs Discover Birmingham sees ten festive sculptures pop up around the city centre – taking your everywhere from Great Western Arcade to Centenary Square and beyond. Learn more here.
How do I get to Birmingham Christmas Market?
If travelling by train, you should be able to easily get to Birmingham Christmas Market from the three main train stations: New Street, Moor Street and Snow Hill. If you’d prefer to drive, these are your closest car parks:
- Town Hall Car Park, Brunel St, Birmingham B5 4AF
- New Street Station Car Park, Hill St, Queens Drive, Birmingham B2 4ND
- Birmingham Grand Central Car Park, Hill St, Queens Dr, Birmingham B5 4DQ
- Snow Hill Car Park, Livery St, Birmingham B3 2BJ