Where do goths buy their Christmas presents in Birmingham? No, it’s not set up for a bad Christmas cracker joke, but a genuine question. Brightly lit, joyful festivities don’t mix well with the black and the macabre, but the recently opened The Goth’s Playground looks like the place to shop for the Second City’s alternative crowd this Christmas.
The one-stop shop for Birmingham’s freaks, geeks and goths opened a couple of months ago at Digbeth’s Zelling Building—selling everything from taxidermy and piercings to records, clothing, and jewellery—but is getting in the festive spirit like the rest of us, and celebrating Gothmas. Birmingham’s Frankfurst Christmas Market, this is not!
The alternative Christmas market will expand to two floors throughout the building on Sunday, December 7 (11am to 4pm). The Yuletide pop-up will feature more than 25 vendors, including piercings from Dolly Rockers and flash tattoos from TEITGE. Plus, tuck into the aptly-named Goth Burger and its blackened buns and patties.
Don’t expect to see Santa on your way round. Instead, Krampus—the terrifying Alpine goat-man said to accompany Saint Nicholas to visit children—will entertain visitors, hand out gifts, and truly make this a Gothmas to remember. You can also find several festive and fun activities in The Goth’s Playground’s permanent store (also in Zellig).
This is the final market instalment for 2025, and is FREE for all to enter, with big changes to the format planned for the new year. Don’t worry if you can’t make it, you’ll still be able to buy plenty of presents for your alternative friends and family. The Goth’s Playground store will remain open right up until Christmas.