Ready or not, the big C is here. We’re talking about Christmas. Yet no matter how early we start preparing, there are always a million things to do at Christmas in Birmingham that we somehow manage to miss. Every year we forget to buy at least one family member a present and are scrambling around shopping on Christmas Eve. That’s before we even remember to put up our decorations! So you have one less thing to worry about, we’ve put together this guide to some of the best things to do in Birmingham this Christmas.
1. Pick a real Christmas tree from a local farm
Before the festivities can begin you have to sort out a Christmas tree. If you’re thinking of dusting off your old artificial tree currently sitting in the attic again this year, we won’t judge. But nothing beats the sight and smell of the real thing. Especially if you’ve picked one out yourself from one of the wonderful forests and garden centres near Bristol, like Woods Farm in Shirley.
Kickstart the festive spirit in your household with a family day-out deciding on the perfect Christmas tree. Whether you’re after a freshly-cut fir or a sustainable and locally sourced tree, check out our guide for best places to buy Christmas trees in Birmingham.
2. Cosy up with Candlelight Christmas Concerts
If you ask us, Christmas is nothing without the music; it just wouldn’t be the same without traditional Christmas carols and modern Xmas pop hits. Mariah Carey is synonymous with the season these days. So how about listening to a classical rendition of All I Want For Christmas at St Paul’s Church (December 9)? Plus, everything from Santa Tell Me by Ariana Grande to Last Christmas by Wham!
More of a fan of Let It Snow? See a string quartet perform more traditional Christmas tunes at Birmingham Cathedral on December 20 & 28. Playing the likes of The Little Drummer Boy, Jingle Bells, Winter Wonderland and more. Oh, and did we mention all these concerts were performed under the gentle glow of candlelight? To get your tickets to these Candlelight Christmas Concerts head here.
3. Glide into Christmas by going ice skating
We’ll all be indulging more than our fair share of mulled wine, mince pies and turkey slices this Christmas in Bristol. So some exercise is going to be needed. What better festive activity to burn some calories than ice skating? No one expects you to become the next Torvill or Dean overnight, but these brilliant ice skating rinks around Birmingham will be open all of Christmas. If you get knocked down, to paraphrase Chumbawamba, just get up again!
4. Hit up Birmingham Christmas Market
Everyone knows about Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market. It’s among the best Christmas markets in the country – brimming with dazzling lights, tasty festive treats, handmade gifts and plenty of activities. Christmas in Birmingham cannot begin without it. But it’s not the only festive market happening in Birmingham though. Christmas in Cathedral Square will be in town until December 17, while some smaller, but no less worthy markets will pop up around the city.
5. Head aboard The Polar Express leaving from Birmingham
The Polar Express sets off from Birmingham Moor Street station this Christmas. Relive the magic of the holiday classic, as you climb aboard this immersive experience – which sees Christmas tale theatrically recreated on board heritage carriages, hauled by a real steam engine. Inspired by the 2004 Christmas movie, based on a 1985 children’s book of the same name, the train leaves every weekend until December 23. To learn more about The Polar Express head here.
6. Follow this cute ‘Snowdog’ trail around Brum
The annual Christmas trail taking over Birmingham is based on the animated short, The Snowman and the Snowdog, this year. Snowdogs Discover Birmingham sees ten festive sculptures pop up around the city centre, anywhere from Selfridges to Centenary Square, Piccadilly Arcade and the Christmas Market. Families that visit each Snowdog are also in with a chance of winning a £100 dining voucher, and a £50 shopping voucher. You have until January 4, 2024, to spot all 10 Snowdogs, which you can learn more about here.
7. Get cheesy at Greggs’ 90s-themed Christmas party
Greggs is rewinding to the 90s this Christmas with a massive party in Birmingham. The British bakery chain is hosting massive headliners, festive-themed cocktails and more cheesy hits than you could shake a sausage roll at. On December 8 at Secret Space in Digbeth, Bake to the 90s will see dance music legends HedKandi headline, while Hunsnet’s Gareth Howells will also be DJing a mix of ultimate Christmas hits and nostalgic anthems. To learn more head here.
8. Watch Christmas classics at the Luna Winter Cinema
Even if you’ve already re-watched all the classic Christmas movies in your own home, from Love Actually to It’s A Wonderful Life, nothing beats seeing them on the big screen. Setting up at The Factory Works from December 9, the Luna Winter Cinema will host several screenings every day until December 23. There’s something for everyone too, from a singalong session of Frozen to Die Hard (for those who insist it’s a Christmas movie.)
Just some of the screenings include Christmas standards like Miracle on 34th Street, Love Actually, The Muppet Christmas Carol and Home Alone (1 & 2). Plus, some Christmas romcoms like The Holiday and Last Christmas. But if cheesy classics aren’t your thing, there are plenty of alternative festive movies to enjoy. What about Edward Scissorhands and The Nightmare Before Christmas? Or how about… Gremlins?
9. Take the kids to the UK’s biggest indoor Christmas funfair
Winter Funland, the largest indoor Christmas funfair in the UK, returns to Birmingham NEC from December 9 to January 1. Expect plenty of funfair thrills from waltzers, dodgems, and a gigantic ice skating rink to show off your slick skills. While the main man himself will be in his grotto every day until December 24.
No Christmas celebrations in Birmingham would be complete without festive treats, like candy floss, mulled wine and plenty of sweets. A special Christmas circus will also be in town with hilarious clowns and spectacular acrobats showing off all day long. Head here to learn more.
10. Enjoy panoramic views of Birmingham’s Christmas lights at Orelle
You’ve likely seen the Christmas lights in the Colmore Business District, but not like you have from the rooftop restaurant, Orelle. Located on the 24th floor of 103 Colmore Row, the modern French restaurant offers unbeatable panoramic views of the city and beyond. To further celebrate the festivities, Orelle has curated two seasonal menus to enjoy on Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve too. To learn more head here.
11. Have a go at this Chrismas quiz at Birmingham’s oldest pub
The Old Crown is hosting a Big Fat Christmas Quiz this festive period. On December 20, join Santa in the heated garden for the ultimate festive trivia showdown. Prepare yourself for the arguments on Christmas Day, as you argue the toss to answer questions on Christmas films, festive songs, traditions, riddles and brain games. Plus, expect a few surprises thrown in on the night, with loads of amazing prizes up for grabs. To learn more head here.
12. Make your own mulled wine
Mulled wine is an incredibly tasty festive treat. A glass of the warming, heavenly drink magically appears in our hands wherever we go at Christmas. But why do we waste all that money buying it out-and-about, when mulled wine is super easy to make at home?
All you need is a pan and a hob, and the ingredients which can be picked up from any local supermarket. Most recipes just require you to warm up red wine, oranges, cinnamon, cloves, star anise and a touch of sugar or honey to taste – and it’s as easy as popping it all in a saucepan together and simmering on low (with a pan cover) for just 15 minutes.
13. See the West Midlands glow-up with these Christmas light trails
Nothing screams ‘festivities’ more than twinkly, dazzling, glittering explosions of Christmas lights. Several Christmas light trails have popped up in and around Birmingham, creating the most magical experiences for miles. Luminate Birmingham at Birmingham Botanical Gardens (November 25 to January 2) is the closest. But Winter Glow at Malvern Showground (November 24 to January 6) and Warwick Castle (November 25 – January 7) is worth travelling for. To see the best Christmas light trails near Birmingham head here.
14. Pup along to the Christmas-themed doggy meet-up
The cutest Christmas event happening in all of Birmingham is sleighing its way to the Resorts World on December 16 & 17. This feel-good Christmas-themed doggy meet-up, with a range of breed-specific time slots, is packed full of festivities. Your furry friends can play with the dog-sized sleigh, meet Santa himself and experience the world’s only Pupuccino Bar. Rudi’s The Doggy Barkery will also be serving festive treats like pupcakes and dognuts. Plus, there will be plenty more adorable doggy-sized furniture, fun props, and cute photo opportunities to enjoy. Learn more here.
15. Grab a drink at the Apres Ski Bar
The Button Factory has had an Apres Ski makeover to whisk you away to the Alpine without leaving Birmingham. Transformed with twinkling lights and wonderland decorations, cosy up in the covered, heated beer garden this Christmas. With a jam-packed festive schedule throughout the holiday season, the Button Factory will also be hosting everything from live DJ sets to bingo nights and festive quizzes in The Yard. The Button Factory’s Apres Ski Yard is also available to hire for Christmas parties. Email your boss now!
16. Wander by the JQ Christmas Window Trail
You’ll find Birmingham’s largest lighting feature housed in the Jewellery Quarter this Christmas – a massive illuminated diamond ring. But the whole area has become a festive wonderland for the Jewellery Quarter Window Trail. Over 60 festive shop windows are vying for your vote – with the winner announced on January 9 – alongside over 100 jewellery-themed Christmas lights and two 30-foot Christmas trees. To learn more about this trail head here.
17. Pop to the theatre for a panto
Birmingham’s very own Alison Hammond will be giving us a treat this winter as she stars in this year’s giant pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk. Heading to Birmingham Hippodrome (Dec 16, 2023 – Jan 28, 2024), Alison will star alongside Hippodrome favourite Matt Slack (who returns for his 10th year), Doreen Tipton as Doreen The Cow and panto dame extraordinaire Andrew Ryan. It also features Olivier-nominated sets and dazzling costumes from The London Palladium.
18. Join in on a festive-themed, brick-tastic scavenger hunt
It’s time to brick the halls this Christmas at LEGOLAND Discovery Centre. Between November 25 and December 24, join a special scavenger hunt throughout the winter wonderland-themed MINILAND. You can also build your very own Christmas decorations to display; rock around the LEGO Christmas tree with pop-up dance parties; and meet the man himself and grab a LEGO Santa selfie.
19. Meet Bad Santa at this crazy golf site
The real Santa wasn’t available, Golf Fang is inviting Bad Santa instead. Dropping by December 9 & 10, his big red sack contains a collection of iconic, era-defining gifts straight from the 90s including Tamagotchis, Aliens in goo, Sea Monkeys and Pokemon cards. Golf Fang will be raising money for a local charity across the weekend, with guests asked to pay a donation in return for a photo with the big man. Following the 90s theme throughout Christmas, a new ‘Fangos’ Christmas Cocktail Catalogue has been released featuring festive creations such as ‘The Furby-licious’ and ‘Ale-xtric’, plus shots including ‘Yellow Snow’.
20. Visit the UK’s best Christmas markets
Sacrilegious, we know, but there are more Christmas markets than Birmingham’s – some even rival the second city’s! Manchester Christmas Markets was recently named the ‘officially best Christmas market in the UK’. Running until December 21, you’ll find everything from a Nordic-themed double bar to the iconic Manchester Windmill, plus over 200 food stalls! Every Sunday (from November 26 – December 17) a Christmas Parade also goes through Manchester city centre. To see the UK’s best Christmas markets head here.
21. Cosy up with a Christmas film
After all these exciting activities, you’re going to be worn out! It’s time to wrap on the sofa and fall in love with our favourite Christmas films all over again. Take your pick of some of the newest Christmas film releases such as Spirited and Falling for Christmas, as well as Christmas classics such as Elf and Miracle On 34th Street.
There’s even a whole TV channel dedicated to Christmas to get you feeling festive. So get cosy on the sofa with a cup of hot chocolate or something stronger because baby it’s cold outside! Also, check out our guide to the Christmas films on Netflix here.