The month before the big one aka Christmas. Yet as tempting as it is to retreat inside and curl up under a blanket, there is still plenty on this November. This month we’ll see old and new arrive in the city, like the long-awaited Christmas market and the opening of new restaurants! So, it’s time to wrap up, explore the city and beyond, and check out our guide to the best things to do in Birmingham this November to make for an unbelievably fab month.
1. Sip on gluhwein at Birmingham Christmas Market
The city’s popular Frankfurt Christmas Market is back this month with hundreds of stalls in the city centre. Returning to Victoria Square and New Street, Brummies and visitors alike will be able to grab anything from mulled wine and bratwurst to handcrafted wooden decorations and glass baubles. Plus, plenty more Xmas goodies to bring the festive cheer!
The largest authentic German Christmas market outside of Germany and Austria will open from November 1 to December 23. Also making a comeback on the same day is the ice skating rink at Centenary Square, alongside its iconic Big Wheel. Christmas is here!
2. Watch fantastic fireworks displays on Guy Fawkes Night
Bonfire Night, the quintessential British holiday, is certain to go off with a bang in Birmingham this year. The legendary Firework Spectacular and Funfair at Edgbaston Stadium was cancelled this year (and replaced by a drone show), but there’s still plenty on. Just some local events include the Alcester Rugby Club Bonfire & Firework Festival (November 1); Wolverhampton RUFC Bonfire Night 2024 (November 8); and the SEND-Friendly Bonfire Night in Selly Oak (November 3).
3. Glide into winter by going ice skating
With the return of the markets, we’ll be embracing everything Christmassy this November – including mulled wine, mince pies and ice skating! Alongside the return of Ice Skate Birmingham on November 1, Tamworth Snowdome is transforming into Santa’s Winter Wonderland on November 16 and Warwick Castle launches its open-air ice rink underneath its towers and turrets on November 23. Just remember, if you get knocked down, get up again!
4. Listen to a magical Candlelight concert
Picture this: A four-string quartet with a performance of your favourite artists in one of Birmingham’s most beautiful buildings. Oh, and all under the gentle glow of candlelight. That sounds pretty special, right? Plus, there’s something for every type of music fan too! On November 9, discover the best of Bollywood and Tollywood, or how about a tribute to recently reformed Oasis on November 15? And fans of hip hop, Taylor Swift or Hans Zimmer cannot miss out on these candlelight performances.
5. Walk through otherworldly light
Clear a spot in your calendar this November, Light Cycles will be illuminating the wilds surrounding Stonebridge Golf Course. The one-kilometre night trail winds around the idyllic lakes of Somers Fishery filled with life-size art installations, hypnotic visual effects and serene soundscapes. Light Cycles may not be your classic Christmas light trail – taking place from November 15 to December 15 – but will certainly lift your spirits this winter with its colourful displays. To get your tickets to Light Cycles head here.
6. Tuck into carbonara served in wheels of cheese
Big Mamma brings its latest unique Italian-style trattorie, Serving only the most authentic Italian cuisine, to Paradise on Chamberlain Square this month. Inspired by the wild courtyards of Perugia, La Bellezza will serve pillowy-soft Neapolitan pizza; homemade linguine, spaghetti, ravioli, pici and mafaldine – including a classic carbonara served in 8kg pecorino wheels; and a towering 6-inch-tall lemon meringue pie. Plus, there will be over 40 varieties of wine to choose from.
7. Listen to the leaves crunch in these local woodlands
In need of a change of scenery? Why not take a trip out and switch off from the world within a woodland blanketed with leaves, with a ton of beautiful routes right on our doorsteps? With around 20 woods recorded by the Woodland Trust within a five-mile radius of Birmingham, there are a ton of beautiful routes right on our doorsteps.
Whether you want to stay nearer the city or head a tad further afield for some stunning sights, there are plenty of woodland walks brimming with shades of auburn and earthy tones for you to explore near Birmingham this autumn. Check out the best woodland walks near Birmingham here.
8. Ride aboard The Polar Express
Hop aboard this immersive Polar Express experience leaving from Froghall Station in Staffordshire – only an hour and a half away from Birmingham. The hour-long Christmas train ride lets you relive all the action and adventure of this children’s classic from November 16 until December 23. Come dress dressed in PJs and see the glowing ‘Northern Lights’, meet Santa and receive your first Christmas gift of the year.
9. See Christmas come alive at Birmingham Cathedral
If the Frankfurt Christmas Market wasn’t enough to get you in the festive mood, head down to Birmingham Cathedral from November 13 to December 22. Christmas in Cathedral Square provides several stalls for crafts, gifts, food and drink from local suppliers at this festive market. Plus, ride on a helter-skelter and grab a pint at the Pigeon in the Park Pub
10. Pick up some Christmas cooking gifts and tips
Just in time for Christmas, The Good Food Show Winter will be at the NEC in Birmingham with a star-studded line-up. Showing off very special festive recipes and cooking tips from the likes of Tom Kerridge, James Martin, Nadiya Hussain and Michel Roux, it’ll be chock-full of British artisanal food and goodies to buy from November 21 to 24.
11. Add some sunshine with this bottomless rum punch brunch
November can be a bleak-looking month, but so why not add some sunshine with this bottomless rum punch brunch? Pretend you’re in the Caribbean (at least for a few hours) on November 11 & 25, as you enjoy some vibrant street food and an hour of bottomless rum punch. Sprinkle in some of the biggest tunes from the likes Cameo, R Kelly, Ginuwine and Beyonce, and you’ll soon forget you’re stuck in dreary ol’ England. Get your tickets to this R&B brunch here.
12. See the lanterns at these light festivals
Visit the Black Country Living Museum on November 2 to celebrate the Festival of Light. Inspired by Diwali, there’s a UV disco, a bhangra dance workshop, and a display from the Museum’s historic lighting collection. The highlight of the evening, however, is the lantern procession! You can learn more here.
At the very other end of the month, MAC’s first magical lantern procession is transforming Cannon Hill Park on November 30. Starting at 4:30pm, these wonderful willow and paper lanterns will be led by an array of performers, musicians and the community. There are free refreshments available too. You can learn more here.
13. Catch the Grand Slam of Darts
The 18th edition of the Grand Slam of Darts will be held at the Aldersley Leisure Village in Wolverhampton from November 9 to 17. Luke Humphries will be defending the title he won last year against Rob Cross in the final. But will 17-year-old wunderkind Luke Littler make a dent?
14. Go shopping at Sephora
Sephora is opening in Birmingham. Taking over a huge 4,925 sqft space on the upper level of the Bullring, which used to belong to Victoria’s Secret, you will be able to get your hands on a selection of luxury brands. Stock up on make-up, fragrances, skincare, haircare, and more.
15. Tuck into gooey, cheesy fondue
Birmingham’s self-pour wine bar, Vagabond is getting ready for winter with the launch of its ultimate indulgence, a cheese fondue with matching wine pairings. Boasting over 100 wines on Colmore Row, you can now tuck into its new cheese fondue-sharing platter – a delicious blend of Alpine Swiss, Emmental, Raclette and Gruyère cheese with toasted baguette, new potatoes, cornichons and balsamic Borettane onions, for £20pp.
16. Go Xmas shopping at this 300-year-old palace
Taking place in the Great Court of a 300-year-old country house, Blenheim Palace becomes the stunning backdrop of this Christmas market. Having stood in for Buckingham Palace in Bridgerton, you’ll be able to peruse everything from Christmas gifts to festive treats of its seasonal village.
Only 90 minutes from Birmingham, the traditional wooden chalet of this Christmas market is also free to visit from Friday, November 15 to Sunday, December 22. Plus, there’s ice skating, a light trail and even a visit from Santa himself. To learn more information about Christmas at Blenheim Palace head here.
17. Take a trip to the best Christmas markets this twinkling island has to offer
We know nothing can quite beat Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market. But with Birmingham so well situated in the country, it’s the perfect place to travel around the UK and see how well other cities’ Christmas markets fare.
Down south in Bath and Bristol, both markets are cutesy and Christmassy. While up north, Manchester’s markets span the whole city centre and (almost) rival Birmingham for capturing that magic Christmassy feeling. Get in the festive spirit by seeing all the best UK Christmas markets here.