Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas Market: What to Know

Birmingham's Christmas market is the most German in Britain, and for a specific reason: it began as part of the city's twinning with Frankfurt, and it is still run with Frankfurt traders at its core. The organisers describe it as the largest authentic German Christmas market outside Germany and Austria. Whether or not you take that at face value, it is certainly the one that feels most like the real thing.

At a glance

When: 5 November to 24 December 2026. Where: New Street and Victoria Square, minutes from New Street station. Cost: free to browse. Best for: German food and drink, and an easy arrival by train.

When it runs in 2026

The market runs from Thursday 5 November to Thursday 24 December 2026, opening late morning and staying open into the evening. On Remembrance Sunday it opens later, at 1pm, as a mark of respect. Hours vary a little by day, so check the official site before travelling.

Where it is

The stalls run along New Street and into Victoria Square, in front of the Council House. That makes it unusually easy to reach: New Street station is at the bottom of the street, so you can step off a train and be among the stalls within five minutes.

What makes it different

The food and drink

This is the draw. Expect bratwurst, schnitzel, pretzels, potato pancakes and stollen, along with mulled wine served in a souvenir mug you pay a deposit on. The German-run stalls are the ones to seek out.

It is a street, not a square

Because it runs along a main shopping street, the crowd moves in one long ribbon. At peak times that is slow going, but it also means the market is easy to dip in and out of between shops.

How to do it well

Avoid Saturday evenings

Weekend evenings are when the narrowest stretches of New Street become solid. Weekday lunchtimes and early afternoons are the easiest time to browse.

Build in the city around it

The Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery holds the world's largest public collection of Pre-Raphaelite works, the Library of Birmingham has a free rooftop garden with views over the city, and the Jewellery Quarter is a short walk away for something less seasonal. Our Birmingham staycation guide has more, and you can compare hotels in Birmingham.

Other things on in December

Pantomime

The Birmingham Hippodrome stages one of the biggest pantomimes in the country every Christmas, and it is a short walk from the market. Weekend and evening performances in December sell out, so book alongside your rooms.

Eating beyond the stalls

The market food is fun but repetitive. Birmingham's restaurant scene is one of the strongest outside London, from the Balti tradition to several Michelin-starred restaurants. Browse restaurants in Birmingham and things to do to fill the rest of the weekend.

If you are planning more than one market this season, our guide to Christmas markets by train shows how easily Birmingham pairs with others.