Unlike elsewhere in the UK, Birmingham Christmas Market is a special kind of market as it is aligned with the Frankfurt Christmas Market in Germany. It’s the largest Christmas market outside of Germany and Austria. Many of the traditional events and experiences are set to return in 2022.
This is the most traditional German Christmas market in the UK and is by far the most popular. Follow the Frankfurt tradition and meet your friends after work for a mug of mulled wine or visit during the day for relaxed Christmas shopping for family and kids.
Birmingham Christmas Market 2022
Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market will take place over seven weeks from the 3rd November to 23rd December, ending two days before Christmas Day.
Birmingham Christmas market dates: 3rd November to 23rd December 2022.
Opening times: 10am to 9pm daily. Except Remembrance Sunday (13th November) when the market will be open from 1pm – 9pm.
Location: Victoria Square and New Street, Birmingham.
Accessibility: The entire market is wheelchair accessible. Electric scooters are available for hire if required.
Reason to visit: A traditional German Christmas market in the UK.
Specialities: German style bratwurst, pretzels, schnitzels, glühwein and weissbeer. Stollen, a dense German Christmas cake with dried fruit.
Tip: Visit during the week or early in the day if you wish to avoid the peak crowds.
Where to stay: The Grand Hotel – an incredible historic hotel in Birmingham or alternatively the Birmingham Manhattan is an affordable apartment near Victoria Square.
Birmingham Ice Skate and the Big Wheel are returning to Centenary Square and will run from the 3rd November 2022 until 8th January 2023 (except on Christmas Day).
Opening hours for Ice Skate and the Big Wheel are from 10am and 10pm and you can either book online or at the venue.
Hotels near Birmingham Christmas Market
If you would like to stay near the Christmas markets, anywhere in the city centre close to the Town Hall and Victoria Square would be ideal.
I suggest staying at the Grand Hotel as it’s within a 4-minute walk to the Christmas markets for those able.
Alternatively, my guide to hotels near Birmingham Christmas Market lists several well-located hotels for all budgets.
Frankfurt Christmas Market
The Birmingham Christmas market is known as the Frankfurt Christmas Market as it is based on the historic market in Germany. It is seen as a ‘twin’ to the official Frankfurt market.
The Birmingham market is so popular it typically attracts more than 1 million visitors per week.
The market is located at Victoria Square and New Street in the centre of Birmingham. It is the largest Christmas fair, or German market as it is sometimes called, outside Germany and Austria.
Plan your Christmas trip with my UK Christmas markets guide. Discover where to go, things to do and the best ways to experience British food, history and culture.
Location of Birmingham Christmas Market
Sustainable Travel Tips
The choices we make have an environmental and social impact on the places we visit. When visiting the Christmas markets, it’s important to keep sustainability in mind.
Implement some or all of these simple measures to create a positive impact.
- Shop mindfully. Only purchase what you really need.
- Walk, cycle and use public transport to get around.
- Stay in a sustainable hotel powered by renewable energy.
- Stay in hotels. Short-stay apartment accommodation can lead to a lack of affordable housing for locals.
- Avoid using plastic or buying items made or packaged with plastic.
- Try to eat locally sourced organic food where possible.
- Limit your consumption of meat and dairy.
- Be open to diverse cultures and experiences.
- Explore more than just the main tourist areas.
- Support the arts and attend local events.
- Visit fewer places but stay longer at each destination.
FAQ
3rd November to 23rd December 2022.
10am daily except for Remembrance Day when it opens at 1pm.
9pm daily.
There are more than 80 stalls at Birmingham Christmas Market.
3rd November 2022.
Birmingham New Street train station is a 5-minute walk to the Christmas markets in Victoria Square. If you’re arriving by tram, Town Hall station is directly on Victoria Square.
To reduce air pollution in central Birmingham and avoid congestion, it’s recommended to take public transport, cycle or walk to the Christmas markets. If you must drive, the closest parking facilities are Town Hall Car Park and Swallow Street Car Park. Note that the Birmingham City Council car park on Navigation Street does not have a lift.
There are several vegetarian food stalls and alternatives that include vegan pizza, potato snacks, baked apples (without the cream), roasted nuts, vegan cookies and possibly some beer, cider and glühwein (ask first).
Centenary Square.
If you have any questions or comments about visiting the Birmingham Xmas market in 2022, leave your thoughts or review below.
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Recommendations are independently chosen based on personal travel experiences and extensive research. This post contains affiliate links to hotels and tours in Birmingham, UK. This means I get a small commission from any bookings at no extra cost to you.
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