The Birmingham Christmas market runs from 5 November to 24 December 2026. Officially the Frankfurt Christmas Market, it is the UK’s best-known German-style market, a long run of wooden chalets selling bratwurst, glühwein and handmade gifts in the middle of the city. It suits a quick weekend from London or the north, a group trip with friends, or anyone who wants a taste of a German market without a flight.
Birmingham
Don’t miss
The places that make the trip, and why each one deserves your time.
Anneli Salo / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Victoria Square
Where the market feels most like a German town square, with live music on some evenings, glühwein in hand and bratwurst sizzling on the grills.
Walk here first from the station, then work back.
Wikimedia Commons, Public domain The Council House
The grand Victorian civic building forms the backdrop to Victoria Square, framing the chalets and the market's best photographs.
Mutney / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 New Street
A long chain of wooden chalets runs down towards the shops, selling wooden toys, decorations, candles, pretzels and sugared almonds.
No stalls between Nando's and the Apple Store in 2026.
West Midlands Police / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0 Bullring
The market runs to the edge of this landmark shopping district, so a warm break from the cold is never far away.
Elliott Brown from Birmingham, United Kingdom / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0 Centenary Square
Home to the Big Wheel and ice rink, which run on into the New Year, the ideal way to end an evening at the market.
Rides and the rink are booked separately.
Brian Clift / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0 Jewellery Quarter
A short walk north of the market, this historic quarter swaps the crowds for independent shops and cafés, an easy half-day on a weekend trip.
Birmingham Christmas market 2026 dates and opening hours
The market runs from Thursday 5 November to Thursday 24 December 2026, a stretch of about seven weeks, according to Visit Birmingham and Birmingham City Council’s announcement.
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday to Thursday | 11am–9pm |
| Friday | 11am–9.30pm |
| Saturday | 10am–9.30pm |
| Sunday | 10am–9pm |
| Remembrance Sunday, 8 November | Opens at 1pm |
The Big Wheel and ice rink return to Centenary Square from 5 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, according to the council. Their 2026 daily hours had not been published by mid-October, so check the council’s Christmas in Birmingham page before you go.
Where the market is
The stalls stretch from Victoria Square down New Street, between Corporation Street and the Bullring.
Victoria Square
The top of the market and its heart, with the Council House as a backdrop. This is where it feels most like a German town square, with live music on some evenings.
New Street
The long chain of chalets runs down towards the shops. One change for 2026: there are no stalls between Nando’s on New Street and the Apple Store, because of ongoing work on Bennetts Hill and Temple Street, the council says. The market feels a little more split than in past years, so walk the whole route rather than assuming it ends at the gap.
Centenary Square
A short walk west, beyond the market itself, the Big Wheel and ice rink run on into the New Year.
What makes it special
The market grew out of Birmingham’s twinning with Frankfurt, a partnership that dates back to 1966. That link shows in the stalls, which lean towards German food, drink and crafts. It is large enough to fill a long afternoon, and its city-centre setting means a café or the shops are never far when you want a break from the cold.
Look out for handmade wooden toys, Christmas decorations, candles and jewellery.
What to eat and drink
Come hungry. The food is the main reason most people visit.
- Bratwurst: a grilled sausage in a roll with mustard and fried onions is the classic first stop.
- Schnitzel: breaded and fried, often served in a bun for eating on the move.
- Pretzels: big, soft and salted, good for sharing.
- Roasted almonds: sugar-coated and warm, sold in paper cones.
- Glühwein: spiced mulled wine, the default drink here.
- Weissbier: German wheat beer for those who prefer something cold.
- Hot chocolate: the best choice for kids or non-drinkers.
Tip: Eat early. The food stalls build long queues from late afternoon onwards, especially on Fridays and Saturdays.
Two days in Birmingham at Christmas
Day 1
Morning: Arrive at New Street and walk straight up to Victoria Square, then work back down New Street while it is still calm.
Afternoon: Lunch at the stalls, then shelter in the Bullring for an hour of shopping.
Evening: Walk to Centenary Square for the Big Wheel after dark, then back to Victoria Square for glühwein and live music.
Day 2
Morning: Skate at the Centenary Square ice rink, then look up at the Library of Birmingham, which faces the square.
Afternoon: Head to the Jewellery Quarter, a short walk north, for independent shops and cafés away from the crowds.
Evening: A last bratwurst at the market before the train home.
How to avoid the crowds
- Go on a weekday. Monday to Thursday afternoons are much calmer than weekends.
- Come in November. The first few weeks are quieter than the run-up to Christmas.
- Arrive at opening. At weekends the market opens at 10am, and the first hour is the most relaxed.
- Start at the far end. Many people pour in from New Street station and stop at the first stalls. Walk through to Victoria Square first and work back.
- Skip the last weekend. The days before 24 December are the busiest of the season.
Getting there by train
Birmingham New Street is a few minutes’ walk from the stalls, with direct trains from London Euston, Manchester and much of the country. Moor Street and Snow Hill stations are also within walking distance. Birmingham Airport is linked by train to New Street via Birmingham International.
By car. City-centre car parks fill quickly on Fridays and Saturdays in December, so pre-book a space or arrive before the market opens. Central Birmingham sits inside a Clean Air Zone, so check if your vehicle is affected before you drive in.
Tip: Travel by train if you can. City-centre car parks fill fast on market weekends.
Make a weekend of it
If you want more German-style markets after this one, our guide to the best Christmas markets in Germany covers the originals. For more UK options, see our best Christmas markets in the UK, or compare with the Manchester Christmas markets a short train ride north. For the wider picture, read our best Christmas markets in Europe, and check this weekend for timely picks.
FAQ
When is the Birmingham Christmas market 2026?
The Frankfurt Christmas Market runs from Thursday 5 November to Thursday 24 December 2026. The Big Wheel and ice rink in Centenary Square stay open until 3 January 2027.
What are the Birmingham Christmas market opening times?
It opens at 11am Monday to Friday and 10am at weekends, closing at 9pm Sunday to Thursday and 9.30pm on Fridays and Saturdays. On Remembrance Sunday, 8 November 2026, it opens at 1pm.
Where is the Birmingham Christmas market?
It stretches from Victoria Square down New Street, between Corporation Street and the Bullring. In 2026 there are no stalls between Nando’s and the Apple Store on New Street because of nearby works.
Do you need tickets for the Birmingham Christmas market?
No booking is needed to walk around the market. The Big Wheel and ice rink in Centenary Square are separate attractions, so check their booking details before you go.
What is the quietest time to visit?
Weekday afternoons in November are the calmest. Weekend evenings in December are the busiest.
