Birmingham Christmas Market: The Complete Guide
Flying into Birmingham Airport for Christmas in the city? Birmingham is brimming in history, culture, and arts, providing locals and visitors with plenty of unique opportunities and things to do during the colder season. As the Yuletide season approaches, glittering lights and Christmas decorations light up the city, creating a fun, festive atmosphere. People also become busy shopping for Christmas, browsing different shops for something unique to gift their family and loved ones.
If you’re visiting in winter, don’t miss the chance to participate in its amazing annual celebrations and events, like the light displays, holiday parades, and Christmas markets in Birmingham. They are a major attraction and a beloved part of the festive calendar of the UK’s second-largest city. To achieve true freedom during your holiday, entrust your bags at a luggage storage facility in Birmingham. This way, you can shop and explore the vibrant Christmas markets in this lively British city without your shopping finds slowing you down!
Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market
Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market is an authentic German Christmas market featuring open-air stalls along New Street and the historic Victoria Square. It is one of the country's best Christmas destinations for a festive outing. It has small fairground rides, a selection of delicious food and drinks, and a range of traditional German produce and gift items. Food lovers will enjoy sampling authentic schnitzels, pretzels, roasted almonds, and bratwursts. Then wash them down with a cup of rich hot chocolate or a glass of weissbier, gluhwein, or your favorite crisp German beer.
From November, Victoria Square will be filled with family-friendly entertainment, Christmas lights, and beautifully-decorated stalls. For tourists visiting the city’s Frankfurt Christmas Market for the first time, don’t miss the famous big wheel and ice rink, which is set to return to Centenary Square until January 8th, 2023. So pack your coziest jumper and get your skates on for an adrenaline-pumping adventure.
Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market opens from November 3rd to December 23rd, 2022. You can head to the market between 10 AM and 9 PM every day, except on November 13th, when it will open at 1 PM.
What to do near Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market
You’ll likely be busy enjoying all attractions at the legendary Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market. But if you have time, stop by Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. It’s only a short walk from Victoria Square, offering a series of impressive displays to showcase the British city’s vibrant and rich past.
Cathedral Square Market
One of the exciting Birmingham Christmas markets is back in the city. Christmas in Cathedral Square will feature exclusively local stalls nearby Cathedral Square. They will offer authentic Birmingham-made crafts, accessories, and gifts, as well as drinks and food from various businesses across the region.
Last year, Christmas in Cathedral Square featured established festive events and activities in the city centre, including a fun ride on the Helter Skelter. But for 2022, visitors can anticipate a magical evening of free entertainment as it opens on November 16th.
Be sure to arrive at Birmingham Cathedral at 6 PM to celebrate the opening of the market and witness as the District comes alive during the Christmas Light Switch On event. From November 16th to December 18th, the Birmingham Christmas market will provide a venue for visitors to find different goods, products, and food and beverages from local producers, businesses, and craftspeople.
What to do near Cathedral Square Market
While in the area, take the chance to explore Birmingham Cathedral, one of the city’s oldest buildings. It is close to Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum, an award-winning science museum in the heart of Birmingham City Centre.
The Festive Gift Fair
Are you looking for the best place to complete your Christmas shopping in Birmingham? The Festive Gift Fair won’t leave you disappointed with hundreds of colorful stalls and live entertainment. Even if you’re unsure what to buy your picky friend, it has plenty of fantastic gift ideas under one roof, including toys, fashion, accessories, personalized gift items, and more. There’s also live music all day to keep the festive spirit while you browse the fabulous stalls.
When you’re done shopping, check out the food and drink vendors. They sell everything from beer, spices, and spirits to prosecco, local cheese, and puddings. No matter your taste or budget, you will surely find the perfect food to please your taste buds. There is also daily live entertainment throughout the market, from November 17th to 20th, between 9:30 AM and 5 PM.
What to do near Festive Gift Fair
The Festive Gift Fail will return to the National Exhibition Centre, a number one venue for meetings, shows, exhibitions, and events in the United Kingdom. It is conveniently located near other must-visit places in Birmingham, including the National Motorcycle Museum. It’s a short walk from the event center, which houses the world’s largest collection of British motorcycles.
MAC Birmingham Christmas Arts Market
Elevate your Christmas shopping experience at MAC Birmingham Christmas Arts Market. It’s free admission, so anyone can attend on selected Sundays, including the first three Sundays of November. From 11 AM to 5 PM, visitors are welcome to browse the stalls and meet numerous local vendors, producers, and designers who will showcase their handmade products. It’s an excellent opportunity for guests to buy unique paintings, jewelry, craft item, ceramics, home accessories, and more.
This Christmas Arts Market will take place in the city’s Midlands Arts Centre (MAC). The arts center has been supporting local artists for more than fifty years, providing them opportunities to build a solid customer base, promote their business, and sell first-hand.
What to do near MAC Birmingham Christmas Arts Market
MAC Birmingham Christmas Arts Market is not only set in a famous UK arts venue. It is also close to several breathtaking natural sights and family-friendly fun. It includes the picturesque Cannon Hill Park, nestled in south Birmingham, and Edgbaston Cricket Ground.
Experience Birmingham Christmas
It’s the magical time of the year, and you want to celebrate the Christmas season with friends and loved ones. There’s no better way to experience the holiday and feel the festive spirit in Birmingham than exploring its best Christmas markets. For many years, Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market was the only holiday market in town. Though it remains a major Christmas event in the city, there are also several bustling independent Christmas markets for visitors and locals to enjoy.
Now you are ready to enjoy the Christmas Markets in Birmingham. For more things to do in Birmingham, check out these other guides.
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