BIRMINGHAM'S CHRISTMAS MARKET 14th November to 22nd December

You don't have to go as far as Bruges or Lille to find a traditional Christmas market. The largest authentic German market outside Germany and Austria and the centrepiece of a festive events calendar returns to Birmingham today for 5 weeks. You can explore over 190 stalls selling gifts, jewellery, decorations, handmade toys, delicious German faire and the ever popular Gluhwein! Adjacent to the Frankfurt Christmas Market, the Christmas Craft Fair extends into the city's Chamberlain Square where Birmingham's own traders offer their selection of beautifully hand-crafted items, created by local artisans. Together these two markets bring a fabulous atmosphere to Birmingham and an even better aroma!   

Festive frankfurters, German beers and sweet pretzels return to the city as this year's Birmingham’s Christmas markets open for business. Stretching for more than one mile from the famous Bullring all the way to the International Convention Centre in Centenary Square, the market attracted over four million visitors last year from all over the UK and Europe. You can enjoy being part of the bustling crowds that swarm around the brightly lit stalls, consuming traditional Bavarian food and drink at the many bars and Germanic speaking food vendors. Get you nougat, spicy sausage, sharp cheese and authentic stolen cake, ready for your festive feast.

Local media sources report that the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Cllr Mike Leddy, said: “It gives me great pleasure to welcome back the Frankfurt Market to Birmingham for its thirteenth year. This year’s 39 day event will provide a fantastic festive celebration for all our visitors to enjoy.  It will also give a welcome boost to our shops, restaurants and hotels which are set to benefit from the additional visitors that the markets attract to the city from the wider region, the UK and Europe.”

 

Mayor of Frankfurt, Peter Feldmann added: “I am delighted to join Birmingham’s Lord Mayor in opening Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market which has a truly authentic feel to it.  It is really heartwarming that local people and indeed visitors from all over Britain and mainland Europe enjoy the market and return each year to enjoy its sights and taste our traditional food.”

Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market and Christmas Craft Market are open from today, Thursday 14 November until Saturday 22 December from 10am to 9pm daily.

Also this year, the outdoor ice rink makes a welcome return.  Complementing the annual Christmas Markets, ‘Winter Skate’ at Birmingham’s ice rink will be open daily from 10am to 10pm from Sunday 17 November until 5 January (except Christmas Day) with last entries at 9pm.  And for those eager to try it out, there are now additional sessions from 7pm on Saturday 16 November.

See you there!