It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Birmingham, and we are so ready to embrace the festivities. This year has had its fair share of ups and downs, but we want to end things on a high! So hit play on the Xmas playlist, fish out the fireworks for New Year’s Eve, and embrace some exciting new activities. Have a jolly ol’ time with our guide to the best things to do in Birmingham this December.
1. Hit up Birmingham Christmas Market
You should’ve paid a visit Birmingham Christmas Market by now, but if you haven’t yet, grab the chance while you can – hanging around until Tuesday, December 24. It’s not only one of the very best Christmas markets in the UK, but the largest authentic German Christmas market outside Germany and Austria. Attracting 5.5 million visitors each year, you’ll discover over a hundred stalls filling New Street and Victoria Square.
You’re free to eat and drink everything from stollen, pretzels and bratwurst to weissbier, mulled wine and hot chocolate, whilst picking up gifts for family and friends, of course – like handcrafted wooden decorations, delicate glass baubles, crystal lamps, leatherwork, toys, jewellery and so much more! On top, the market will feature musicians from Germany and Birmingham for lunchtime and evening music sessions, Monday to Friday, while there are music performances all day on Saturday and Sunday.
2. Catch a Christmassy candlelight concert
What on Earth could elevate a classical concert performed by candlelight? Christmas, of course, what else? Embracing the holidays, Candlelight is lighting up Birmingham Cathedral St Philips and St Paul’s Church with a handful of Christmas concerts this December. These captivating tributes to iconic Christmas classics in heavenly venues offer a totally unique experience. And whether you prefer timeless traditional tunes or the soundtracks of iconic films such as Home Alone and Love Actually, there’s an enchanting Candlelight concert for everything. To get your tickers head here.
3. Go (virtual) clay pigeon shooting
Not everything happening in Birmingham this December is Christmas-related. Clays – the immersive, virtual clay shooting bar – opens its doors on December 2. You’ll find it located at the historic Piccadilly Arcade where, using its proprietary technology, the activity bar lets shooters choose from a collection of six fully digitalised games. Transported to quintessential British shooting grounds, Clays’ technology even ensures maximum precision down to the sub-millimetre – replicating the real-life sport.
4. Take the family to the UK’s largest indoor Christmas funfair
That’s right. Winter Funland, the UK’s largest indoor Christmas funfair, is returning to the NEC in Birmingham from December 7 to January 1. You can expect plenty of thrills on unlimited funfair rides, such as waltzers and dodgems, and the gigantic ice skating rink.On top, a 1200-seater Christmas circus will be in town with hilarious clowns and jaw-dropping acrobatics. Of course, what would Christmas be without a visit from Santa? The main man himself will be dropping by to check-in too.
5. Witness this otherworldly light trail in the wild
Wander around the idyllic lakes of Somers Fishery this December through the multisensory light trail illuminating the Birmingham wilds. Light Cycles will offer everything from a sea of pearl-like orbs to fiery amber rays and rolling mist bathed in vibrant colour at Stonebridge Golf Course. Do not miss these nature-inspired, life-size art installations, hypnotic visual effects and serene soundscapes, only hanging around until December 15. To learn more and get your tickets head here.
6. Watch Birmingham Hippodrome’s very first in-house musical
Birmingham Hippodrome has become the first UK venue to develop its own musical with its first full production, The Jingleclaw. Created for 3 to 7-year-olds, The Jingleclaw production will perform at the Hippodrome’s Patrick Studio on December 12 until January 4. Set in a cosy village in the snowy mountains, it tells the story of young musician Astrid and The Jingleclaw, a mischievous monster who can’t stand festive cheer and music.
7. Go for a wintery walk that ends at the pub
It’s cold. It’s dark. But don’t waste all your money by putting the heating and all the lights on. Head outside this December with a wintery walk through the crisp landscape of England. There’s only one way to make the expeirence better – a trip to a cosy country pub afterwards. So, from Earlswood Lakes to Lickey Hills, why noy try one of these winter walks near Birmingham that all end at a pub?
8. Head to the bumper Night Market
The Night Market is hosting a bumper Christmas event in Birmingham this December. Heading to the Secret Space in Digbeth on Friday, December 6, it’s promising twice as many stalls as on their last visit to the second city. Expect around 70 makers, creatives, and vintage vendors – highlighting the very best that Birmingham has to offer – alosngide street food, a bar and a DJ spinning tunes from 6-11pm.
9. Glide onto the ice
December means the arrival of winter (bleurgh), but not everything about the season is depressing. Several ice skating rinks have popped up around the West Midlands this month, for a most magical activity everyone can enjoy. So whether you see yourself as the next Torvill and Dean, or you’re more of a Bambi on ice, it’s time to grab your skates this December. From year-round Planet Ice near Solihull to the return of Ice Skate Birmingham and the rink at Warwick Castle for Christmas, see here for the best places to ice skating in Birmingham this December.
10. Visit Birmingham’s other Christmas market
It’s not all about Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market. Christmas at Cathedral Square may be shorter and smaller, but packs just as much charm and character during the holidays. Taking over Birmingham Cathedral grounds until December 22, you can find crafts, gifts, food and drink from local suppliers at this festive market, as well as a helter-skelter and the Pigeon in the Park Pub.
11. Fall in love with these West Midlands winter trails
Nothing screams ‘December’ more than twinkly, dazzling, glittering explosions of Christmas lights. And these Christmas light trails, which have popped up around the West Midlands, have created the most magical experiences for miles. The West Midlands’ biggest Christmas light trail, Winter Glow returns to Malvern Showground (November 22 to December 31); The Enchanted Gardens brings the much-loved children’s classic Alice in Wonderland to life at Webbs Wychbold (November 15 to January 5); and there’s an all-new illuminated light trail at Trentham Gardens (November 29 until December 31). To see the best Christmas light trails near Birmingham head here.
12. Follow this cute Reindeer trail around Brum
A brand-new reindeer sculpture trail sees Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and, of course, Rudolph spread throughout Birmingham. Brum’s Christmas Reindeer Trail will have youe huntind down all nine unique displays, from Great Western Arcade to the Mailbox, Centenary Square to Selfridges. Plus, a QR code on each reindeer plinth will enable families to donate to Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity!
13. See Birmingham’s very own Alison Hammond return to the panto
After her panto debut at Birmingham Hippodrome last Christmas, Alison Hammond brings her infectious energy back to the stage this December.She’ll be playing the Magical Mermaid in Peter Pan production – presumably, a merging of the three mischievous Mermaids from Neverland – alosngside fan favo urite Matt Slack as Smee. Peter Pan flies into Birmingham on December 21, 2024, to February 2, 2025.
14. Play the craziest game of bingo
Bongo’s Bingo brings its extra special Christmas editions to Birmingham this December – with plenty of magic and mayhem. A double bill of Bingo All The Way (December 21 & 28) will be jam-packed with Christmas bangers, festive prizes and a party for all your friends, family and colleagues.
Expect crazy prizes, en masse Karaoke, rave rounds, dance-offs, the odd pink unicorn and so much more! The bonkers bingo rave phenomenon will be like nothing else at The Forum this month. You can get your tickets here.
15. Welcome the new year in Birmingham
So much of December is often about Christmas, it’s easy to forget the other major celebration at this time of year. New Year’s Eve shouldn’t be overlooked. The whole city will come alive on December 31, with music, parties, fireworks and reveleries!