Credit: Frankfurt Christmas Market
Like it or not, the festive season begins in Birmingham whenever the Frankfurt Christmas Market does—and this year, it’s the joint-earliest ever start date. Just one day after Halloween, the city centre will transform into a magical and merry place for all.
Since coming over from the twin city of Frankfurt in 1997, the now iconic Christmas market has grown into the largest authentic German Christmas outside of Germany and Austria. With over a hundred stalls filling New Street and Victoria Square, Birmingham Christmas Market attracts around 5.5 million visitors each festive period.
When is Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market? 
Credit: Frankfurt Christmas Market
Not content with being the UK’s biggest, the Frankfurt Christmas Market is often the longest-running, too. This year, it’s equalling 2024’s record-breaking length by running from Saturday, November 1, until Wednesday, December 24. That’s a total of 54 days and just shy of eight weeks long.
What time is it on?
From Monday to Thursday, Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market will be open from 11am to 9:30pm, then 10am to 9:30pm on Friday, and 10am to 9pm on Saturday and Sunday. The only expected change is on Remembrance Sunday (November 9), when the market will open from 1pm.
What can I expect from the Christmas Market? 
Credit: Frankfurt Christmas Market
With over 100 stalls at this year’s Frankfurt Christmas Market, you’ll be able to tuck into everything from stollen, pretzels and bratwurst to weissbier, mulled wine and hot chocolate. Elsewhere, pick up traditional gifts—like handcrafted decorations, wooden toys, glass baubles, crystal lamps, jewellery, and so much more.
Visitors to Victoria Square will also be treated to a free live programme of musicians from Germany and Birmingham. From up-and-coming performers to community choirs, enjoy a selection of festive lunchtime and evening music sessions, Monday to Friday, and all-day performances on Saturday and Sunday.
Credit: Frankfurt Christmas Market
While return dates for the Big Wheel and Ice Rink have not been announced, they typically also run alongside the Christmas market. Birmingham’s Christmas in Cathedral Square Craft Market, however, has revealed its return dates—expect a diverse range of independent traders within the grounds of Birmingham Cathedral from Friday, November 7 to Christmas Eve.