Over the past couple of decades, Christmas markets have become hugely popular in the UK, and the Birmingham Christmas market especially is considered to be one of the best in the country.
Pretty much every city has a Christmas market in the UK over the festive period. London as you would expect has several, with Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland being very popular.
There are other really unique markets in the UK, such as Blackpool’s festive village: ‘Christmas by the Sea’, Leeds’ spectacular ‘Winter Favourites’ and York’s Christmas market is full of charm in a beautiful setting.
But Birmingham’s Christmas market is somewhat exceptional as it is not only the biggest Christmas market in the UK but is also the largest authentic German Christmas market outside of Germany or Austria.
It has been a yearly tradition now since 2001 and has grown in size and popularity ever since. As a local to the area, visiting Birmingham’s Christmas market has become an annual tradition and a signal that the festive season is well and truly underway.
Birmingham has become a rejuvenated city and has experienced a transformation over the past several years. It has trendy areas such as the Jewellery Quarter and Digbeth, and the Christmas Market is another huge attraction for visitors discovering the second city for the first time.
In this blog post I’ll cover everything you need to know about the market, what to expect and what food and drinks are on offer at the many stalls.
Birmingham Christmas Market: What to Expect
The Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market as it is officially known takes over the city in early November and finishes usually on Christmas Eve, so there is plenty of time to visit and see what all the fuss is about.
It’s estimated that over 5 million people visit the market during this period, and has a total of 180 stalls selling all types of food, drink, jewellery, German crafts, souvenirs and more.
The stalls open from 11am each morning and closes at 9pm Monday to Thursday, and 9:30pm on Fridays and at weekends. Weekends are definitely the busiest days to visit the market, with there being an increase in Christmas shoppers typically at the weekends.
The Layout of the Birmingham Christmas Market
The market takes place at the start of New Street (which is the main shopping high street in Birmingham), right next to the Bullring shopping centre and New Street Station, and continues all throughout New Street to the top of Victoria Square.
There is live music at the Victoria Square section of the market at the popular bandstand area, with live singers, bands and Christmas Carols being performed throughout the weekends and evenings.
There is also an impressive 65 foot tall Christmas tree located in the centre of Victoria Square, which is quite a sight to behold. The Victoria Square section is the more spacious area in the entirety of the market as New Street is just a normal sized high street.
New Street does become quite cramped and overcrowded with the numerous stalls of the market lining the centre of the street.
It is right in the middle of busy shops and a lot of shoppers get caught up in the area, leading to deadlocks with people trying to get through the crowds.
Expect to be overwhelmed with the amount of people visiting the market; it really is a busy, hectic place! Personally, I prefer the Victoria Square area rather than the New Street area.
Both parts of the market are equally as busy, but you don’t get so many shoppers getting caught up amidst the throngs of partygoers.
I also prefer visiting the market during the night time as the Christmas lights on show really give that magical, festive feeling that isn’t as noticeable during the day.
However, night time is also the busiest period for the market, so you may wish to visit during the day (especially a weekday) if you prefer fewer crowds.
Food and Drink at Birmingham Christmas Market
With there being 180 stalls at the Birmingham Christmas market, there is a huge variety of food and drink to choose from. The majority of these stalls sell food and drink, with other stalls selling Christmas souvenirs, home decorations like crystal lamps and all sorts of peculiarities.
The Birmingham market really does focus on the fact that it is a German themed Christmas market and most of the produce is actually from Germany, although the stalls selling crafts feature local artists and sellers.
The most popular food items at the market are hot dogs, especially the Frankfurter hot dogs which are a German speciality. And another German food speciality on sale is Berliner doughnuts.
You can also find pretzels, chocolate filled crepes, hazelnuts, marsh mellows and plenty of other confectionary – if you’ve got a sweet tooth then you’ll definitely be in the right place!
It terms of drink, German beer is the speciality here, sold in large tankards. The typical German beer on sale is ‘Weissbeer’ which is wheat beer, and German lager is also a popular choice.
It’s quite common to see people carrying their tankards with them throughout the market. Mulled wine (referred to at the market by its German name: ‘gluhwein’) is also sold at the market, and of course is hugely popular with revellers. You can also buy hot chocolate and other non alcoholic drinks of course.
Where to Stay in Birmingham For the Christmas Market
If you’re thinking of staying over in Birmingham when visiting the Christmas market, then finding the right accommodation is not an easy choice, and it’s recommended to book up in advance as well.
Here are three accommodation options with three different price options worth considering when staying in Birmingham:
Budget Accommodation Option: ibis budget Birmingham Centre
This two star hotel is located just 600 metres from the Hippodrome Theatre in the centre of Birmingham. It’s a cheap option and just 1 kilometre away from Birmingham New Street station. It has a 24 hour help desk and a breakfast option too.
Click here to see the latest rates, or here to see the reviews on Tripadvisor.
Mid-Range Accommodation Option: Pentahotel Birmingham
This 4 star hotel is situated just a five minute walk away from the Bullring shopping centre. It has fantastic facilities, such as a fitness centre, a trendy bar, two meeting rooms and a top quality restaurant as well.
Pentahotel has en-suite rooms available and all in all it is reasonably priced as well with free breakfast included and room service.
Click here to see the latest rates, or here to see the reviews on Tripadvisor.
Luxury Accommodation Option: Staying Cool at Rotunda
Located in Birmingham’s iconic Rotunda building, one of the main landmarks of the city, this four star hotel is a great choice if you want a more luxurious stay when visiting the city and of course the Christmas market.
The Rotunda building is as centrally located as you can get, right next to the Bullring shopping centre, a couple of minutes walk from Birmingham New Street station and very close to the Christmas market on New Street as well.
Staying Cool at the Rotunda offer trendy, boutique apartments to rent that feature stunning balcony views of the city as well as floor to ceiling windows.
This is an awesome option when staying in Birmingham, with parking available and of course a 24 hour reception.
Click here to see the latest rates, or here to see the reviews on Tripadvisor.
Birmingham Christmas Market FAQ’s
Still not sure about visiting the Birmingham Christmas Market? Let’s answer some of the most commonly asked questions:
Is the Birmingham Christmas Market safe?
Yes, the Birmingham Christmas market is considered a safe event; there is a decent amount of security guards at the market and everyone is there to have a good time.
Of course, petty crime does occur occasionally in Birmingham just like any other big city, so it’s advisable to stay vigilant and aware of your possessions like you would anywhere else.
Is the Birmingham Christmas Market suitable for children?
Yes, the Birmingham Christmas market is suitable for children. As mentioned previously in this blog post, the Victoria Square section of the market features children rides such as a carousel.
And there are plenty of confectionary food items and toys that are on sale at the various outdoor stalls that children will love.
However, if you’re asking me if the market is specifically centred towards children then no, the market is more centred towards adults who usually visit the market to socialize with friends, have a few drinks and to enjoy the lively atmosphere.
Is the Birmingham Christmas Market good for buying gifts?
If you’re visiting the Birmingham Christmas market with the intention of buying Christmas gifts, then you may be a bit disappointed.
Although there are stalls that sell really interesting gifts like toys, home appliances and souvenirs, I wouldn’t say it’s intended for Christmas shoppers.
You can find some gifts suitable for youngsters, although some people may say these toys are a little bit tacky and outdated.
If you’re planning on visiting the market just for Christmas presents then I would recommend skipping the market and visiting the many shops in city instead, especially at the Bullring shopping centre.
When is the best time to visit the Birmingham Christmas Market?
As previously mentioned, the Birmingham Christmas market’s busiest periods are during the weekends and in the evening time as well.
If you’re looking for a quieter time to visit the market, then I would recommend going during a weekday around noon or early afternoon, when it will be considerably less crowded.
During November and December it gets dark in Birmingham around 4pm, and seeing the market lit up at night really does add to the special Christmas atmosphere. Although the evening hours are busy, I would recommend experiencing the market during the night time to really appreciate the festivities.
How to get to the Birmingham Christmas Market?
With the Christmas market being based very centrally, it’s really easy to find it whether you’re travelling to the city by car or public transport.
If travelling to Birmingham via public transport, then I would recommend coming by train. Birmingham New Street station is the city’s main train station, and as the city is based centrally in England you can catch trains to here from pretty much anywhere in the country.
Though do take note that in recent times train strikes have become a common occurrence in the UK, so make sure to check in advance if there are any strikes planned for when you want to visit.
If you’re travelling by car then there are several car parking spaces allocated throughout the city, though be prepared to experience heavy traffic when driving into Birmingham, especially during weekends.
The market takes place in Birmingham’s ‘Clean Air Zone’, so you may have to pay a fee if you park near the city centre for this, as well as a parking ticket obviously. It is advised to avoid driving into the city if possible.
Birmingham also has a tramline that goes from Edgbaston all the way to Wolverhampton, so this is an alternative option to use as well when travelling to the city.
And if you’re flying into the UK from abroad then Birmingham has its own international airport and it’s really easy to catch a train from the airport into the city centre, which takes around 15 minutes.
Conclusion: Birmingham Christmas Market
So that is the ultimate guide to the Birmingham Christmas market. It is without a doubt one of the best (if not the best) Christmas market in the UK.
With the very many authentic German stalls selling traditional German styled food, drinks and gifts, it completely transforms Birmingham into a Christmas wonderland from early November onwards.
Brummies (the term for Birmingham locals) like to party and are renowned for their good humour and warmness. They know how to have a good time at Christmas and none more so than at the Christmas market.
The market has become a great annual tradition for the city and a visit there makes you feel all Christmassy, even if you’re not looking forward to the holidays!
Yes, it does get very crowded at the market which can be seen as a negative, but the atmosphere created by the crowds and the sights and smells really does put you into the Christmas spirit.
If you’re looking for the biggest, most authentic and special Christmas market in the UK, then you really can’t go wrong with a trip to the Birmingham Christmas market.
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