Birmingham Christmas Market

Among the Germany Christmas Markets, the market in Birmingham is particularly popular. In this article, we will tell you about the history of this fair, the entertainment available to visitors, and the gastronomic offerings.

History of Birmingham Christmas Market

The official name Birmingham Christmas Market sounds like Frankfurt Christmas Market. This is one of the Christmas markets UK. The idea for its organisation came from Frankfurt's festival and events director Kurt Stroescher. In 1997, a small market with only 10 stalls opened in Victoria Square. The experiment proved successful, and Birmingham City Council decided to hold the event every year. In 2001, there were only 24 stalls at the market, but today it is considered one of the largest open-air markets in Great Britain.

In 2020, the event was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Entertainment

The Birmingham Christmas Market invites everyone to enjoy live music, taste traditional treats and do some shopping. The organisers have prepared a rich entertainment programme, including:

• performances by musicians from Birmingham and other German cities;
• attractions (calm carousels and adrenaline-fuelled roller coasters);
• an ice rink;
• a large Ferris wheel offering a magnificent view of the city decorated for the holidays.

Musicians perform on the Victoria Square stage every year, with choirs from local schools and charities giving concerts in the morning. Handmade items such as decorations, wooden toys, ceramics, and clothing are sold at kiosks. You can take amazing photos against the backdrop of the decorations.

Birmingham Christmas Market locations

The main market locations are Victoria Square (next to the Birmingham Town Hall/Council House). Here you will find numerous Christmas stalls selling food and drinks.

The second main area is New Street: the market stretches along the city's main shopping street. Some of the activities (attractions, entertainment) are concentrated in Centenary Square (for example, the ice rink and Ferris wheel).

The fair will operate along New Street, starting near the entrance to the Bullring & Grand Central shopping centre and continuing towards Victoria Square. The marked route is convenient for pedestrians, combining browsing the stalls, sampling food and drinks, and admiring the decorations.

Map

The map shows the central part of the city with the main shopping stalls and attractions located in Victoria Square and along New Street. The Ferris wheel and ice rink in Centenary Square are also marked on it.

The map makes it easy to find your way around the stations and transport links: the market is within walking distance of Birmingham New Street station.

How to get there?

There are various ways to get to Birmingham Christmas Market, located in the city centre at the intersection of Victoria Square and New Street.

By bus

Both local and intercity buses stop in the city centre, many of them passing close to the market. The closest stops are Colmore Row and Corporation Street.

By car

You need to get to the centre of Birmingham and then follow the signs to Victoria Square or New Street. There are several car parks near the market, such as Town Hall Car Park, Snow Hill Car Park and Bullring Parking.

By train

The closest station to the market is Birmingham New Street, which is a 3-minute walk away. In addition, Snow Hill and Moor Street stations are approximately a 10-minute walk away.

By underground

There is no traditional underground in Birmingham, but there is a tram system – the West Midlands Metro light rail system, which connects the city centre with the suburbs and other towns in the region. The tram line runs through the central part of the city, with a stop at Town Hall near Victoria Square.

Information for visitors

Before visiting the traditional German-style fair in Birmingham, check its opening hours:

Mon-Thu from 11:00 to 21:00

Fri. from 11:00 to 21:30

Sat. from 10:00 to 21:30

Sun. from 10:00 to 21:00

We also recommend that you decide in advance where to stay and park if you are planning to travel by car.

Hotels nearby

Several good hotels are located near the market:

1. Premier Inn Birmingham City Centre (New St Station). It is conveniently located just 200-300 metres from the Christmas Market. The cost of staying at this hotel, which is close to transport hubs, is £50-60 per night if you book early.
2. Travelodge Birmingham Central Moor Street is one of the most affordable options relatively close to the centre, within walking distance of the market.
3. Ibis Birmingham New Street Station is located next to New Street and the central streets, 500-600 metres from the market. An excellent option in terms of value for money, it is more comfortable than a hostel and not too expensive.
4. Crowne Plaza Birmingham City Centre is a 4-star hotel suitable for those who want to stay in the centre and spend a minimum of time travelling to and from the market.

Every year, many people want to visit the Christmas market in Birmingham, and demand for hotels increases sharply in the run-up to its opening, so it is recommended to book accommodation in advance as soon as you have decided on the dates of your visit to the festive event.

Food at Birmingham Christmas Market

Birmingham Christmas Market is not only about fun, but also traditional festive dishes. Visitors are offered German Bratwurst sausages, often served in a bun with sauces, onions and mustard.

Those who wish can try sausages with curry sauce, as well as sweet and savoury pretzels, which are sold warm and smell very appetising. The festive menu includes various buns and sandwiches, meat ‘steaks’, fried potatoes, and mushrooms with garlic sauce.

There will also be a large selection of desserts: pancakes, mini pancakes, doughnuts, and roasted almonds. Those with a sweet tooth will be able to enjoy seasonal desserts such as gingerbread cookies and gingerbread.

The drinks menu will definitely include mulled wine and several types of beer, including wheat beer. Hot chocolate will help you warm up in the cool weather.

Food and drinks are an integral part of the festive atmosphere: the aromas of spices and seasonings waft through the air. Hot food is perfect for warming up in the cold and creates a real winter holiday feeling on the street.

Parking

The closest car park to the Christmas market is Q-Park Victoria Square, located under the shopping centre in the city centre. This car park has charging stations for electric cars and spaces for disabled people. Parking spaces can be booked in advance.

Another option is Quayside Tower Car Park, managed by JustPark, located a 5-10 minute walk from the market on Victoria Square.

Digbeth Car Park is also worth considering — it is closer to the Bullring (at the lower end of New Street), which is convenient if you are travelling to the market from that direction. If you wish, you can park your car away from the centre and take public transport to the fair.

Tickets

Admission to the Christmas market is free, but food and entertainment are paid. Tickets for attractions cost an average of £7-8. One session at the ice rink, including skate hire, costs an average of £15.

Reviews

Alex:

We visited the Birmingham Christmas Market for the first time with the whole family – we came specially from Dusseldorf. We had a wonderful time – we tasted German sausages, enjoyed the taste and aroma of hot chocolate, visited the ice rink and rode the Ferris wheel.

Jessi:

The atmosphere at the Birmingham Christmas Market is enchanting. One day is not enough to visit the fair, so set aside at least 2-3 days. There are about a hundred stalls at the market where you can buy everything your heart desires, from decorations to souvenirs.

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