Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas Market

Christmas markets are back! For those who are ready to brave the cold, there's nothing more fun than wandering around a Christmas market, armed with a hot chocolate or mulled wine in hand and perusing the wooden chalets selling everything from pretzels and waffles to arts and crafts and more!

Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas Market is the largest authentic German Christmas market outside of Germany and Austria. Located on Victoria Square and New Street, the Christmas market has stalls for food, drinks, gifts, Christmas decorations and more. There are some fairground rides as well including a carousel. Together with Ice Skate Birmingham (the city's largest under cover ice rink), the Frankfurt Christmas Market is the perfect place to meet up with friends and family or even enjoy a cosy Christmas date with someone special this festive season.

Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas Market runs from 3rd November to 23rd December 2022, open daily from 10am to 9pm, except on Remembrance Sunday (13th November) when it will be only open from 1pm to 9pm. As every year, a lot of people visit this Christmas Market and it can be very busy and crowded on Friday evenings and the weekends. So, if you can, plan to visit over a weekday or earlier in the day during the weekends.

There are a range of food and drink stalls at the Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market. You can try a variety of traditional German foods like pretzels, schnitzels, bratwursts, roasted almonds and more. The Elisen Gingerbread (Elisenlebkuchen) is one of the most famous gingerbread in Germany during the Christmas season and you can try out delicious flavours in the Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market. One of the stalls selling Elisenlebkuchen had variants like Dark Chocolate Walnut, Apple Chocolate, Eggnog Chocolate, Mulled Wine Chocolate, Vegan Elisen Gingerbread and more. As well as trying out other festive foodie treats, you can sip on gluhwein (mulled wine), weissbier (wheat beer), or tasty hot chocolate.

If you are looking to pick up unique gifts, then the Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market is the place to be. The stalls feature everything from Christmas ornaments to wooden art work, from traditional Advent wreaths to woollen accessories and from artisan jewellery to crystal lamps.

In addition to the traditional food & drinks stalls and shopping options, the whole of Victoria Square is beautifully decorated with music playing and there is even a dazzling carousel that adds to the festive vibe.

When you are visiting the Christmas Market, head to Centenary Square as well where Ice Skate Birmingham and The Big Wheel are located. It is open from 3rd November 2022 to 8th January 2023 (10am - 10pm daily) and gives you the option to get your skates on or witness the city in all its festive glory from above.

If you've never been to Birmingham, it's a great idea to squeeze in some sightseeing as well when you visit the Christmas Market. You may want to consider a weekend break or an overnight stay to see some of Birmingham's top attractions. For fun things to see and do in Birmingham, check out our weekend guide to Birmingham.