Christmas in Birmingham 2025: Markets, Events, Things To Do And Where To Stay

Christmas in Birmingham is a big deal. The city centre turns into a mix of lights, food stalls, ice rinks and live music. If you are planning a trip for work, visiting family, or sending teams here for winter projects, it helps to know what is on and where to stay.

This guide covers Christmas in Birmingham 2025 in a simple way. You will find the main Christmas markets, the best Christmas events in Birmingham, ideas for things to do this Christmas in Birmingham, and a practical section on where to stay if you need flexible contractor friendly accommodation.

Key Christmas Highlights In Birmingham 2025

Birmingham does Christmas with a proper city feel. Expect:

• The famous Frankfurt Christmas Market in Victoria Square and New Street

• A second market at Cathedral Square

• Ice Skate Birmingham and the Big Wheel in Centenary Square

• Theatre, concerts, lights and family events across the city

The main Christmas market in Birmingham is one of the biggest in the UK and attracts millions of visitors every year.

Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market 2025

The headline event for Christmas in Birmingham UK is the Frankfurt Christmas Market. It has food, drink, gifts, live music and a busy, festive atmosphere.

Where is the Christmas market in Birmingham?

The main Birmingham Christmas market sits in:

• Victoria Square

• Along New Street in the city centre

This is right by Birmingham New Street station, the Council House and the Town Hall.

Dates and opening times 2025

According to official guidance, the Frankfurt Christmas Market in Birmingham 2025 is due to run from:

• Saturday 1 November to Wednesday 24 December 2025

• Open daily, with slightly later closing on Fridays and Saturdays

This means you can enjoy Christmas in Birmingham across November and December, not just in the final weeks before Christmas.

What to expect

At the market you will find:

• Traditional German food such as Bratwurst and pretzels

• Glühwein and hot chocolate

• Craft, gift and decoration stalls

• Live music and street performers

• Plenty of lights and photo spots

The Frankfurt Christmas Market is often described as the largest authentic German market outside Germany and Austria.

Cathedral Square Market

Alongside the main market, Christmas in Cathedral Square brings smaller, local traders to the area by Birmingham Cathedral.

Here you will find:

• Local food and drink

• Crafts from Midlands makers

• A slightly quieter feel than Victoria Square

It is an easy walk from the main market, so you can visit both in one trip.

Ice Skate Birmingham And The Big Wheel

If you are looking for more active things to do at Christmas in Birmingham, head to Centenary Square for Ice Skate Birmingham and the Big Wheel.

Location and dates

• Located in Centenary Square, close to the Library of Birmingham and the Rep Theatre

• Open from early November to early January, typically 1 November to 4 January

Here you can:

• Book 45 minute ice skating sessions

• Ride the Big Wheel for views over the city and Christmas lights

• Enjoy food and drink nearby

If your workforce is staying in the city for projects, this is an easy option for a team night out.

More info:👉 Ice Skate Birmingham:

Other Christmas Events In Birmingham 2025

Beyond the markets and ice rink, there are many Christmas events in Birmingham every year. The exact list changes, but you can expect:

• Christmas theatre and pantomimes at venues like the Birmingham Hippodrome, Alexandra Theatre and Rep

• Candlelit concerts and carol services around the city

• Botanical Gardens light trails and outdoor displays

• Special events at major venues such as the NEC

For current listings and dates, check:

• Visit Birmingham’s official Christmas events page

Things To Do This Christmas In Birmingham

If you are searching for things to do this Christmas in Birmingham, you can easily fill a weekend or a few spare evenings after work.

Here are simple ideas that work well for contractors, teams and visitors.

1. Walk the city lights and markets

• Start at New Street station

• Walk up New Street through the Frankfurt Christmas Market

• Continue to Victoria Square

• Loop across to Cathedral Square

• Finish at Centenary Square to see the ice rink and Big Wheel

This gives you a full view of Christmas in Birmingham city centre in one walk.

2. Shopping at Bullring & Grand Central

If you need Christmas shopping or basics while working away:

• Head into Bullring and Grand Central

• Mix shops with food courts and quick meals

• Pick up winter clothes, gifts and essentials

The area is covered and easy to access from the markets.

3. Christmas drinks and food

Birmingham has plenty of places for a festive drink or meal:

• Pubs and bars around Colmore Row

• Restaurants around Mailbox and Brindleyplace

• Independent spots in Jewellery Quarter

Perfect for teams staying in the city for a period of work who want somewhere to relax after shifts.

4. Daytime attractions

If your contractors have full days off, consider:

• Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery (subject to opening status)

• National SEA LIFE Centre

• Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum

These are good options for families visiting or for longer stays.

Christmas In Birmingham For Contractors And Workforces

Most guides to Christmas in Birmingham focus on tourists. If your role is to look after staff, crews or contractors staying here over the festive period, you also need:

• Somewhere practical and comfortable to stay

• Clear travel links to sites and projects

• Ideas for safe, easy downtime

That is where contractor accommodation in Birmingham comes in.

Where To Stay: Contractor Accommodation In Birmingham

For teams working on projects in or around Birmingham over November and December, hotels can be expensive and inflexible. Contractor accommodation gives you a better fit.

Why contractor accommodation works better than hotels at Christmas

• Cost control: One fixed nightly rate for a house, apartment or guest house instead of several hotel rooms

• Space: Separate bedrooms plus shared living space

• Kitchen: Teams can cook simple meals instead of eating out every night

• Parking: Often included, which is useful for vans and work vehicles

• Longer stays: Designed for weeks, not just one or two nights

If crews are working across Birmingham, the Black Country or wider West Midlands, a well located property can be a solid base.

Travel Tips For Christmas In Birmingham

A few simple points help visitors and contractors avoid stress.

Getting into the city

• By train: Birmingham New Street, Moor Street and Snow Hill all serve the centre

• By car: Use park and ride or city centre car parks and check Clean Air Zone rules

Check live updates and Clean Air Zone info through Birmingham City Council.

Best times to visit the Christmas markets

• Weekday evenings are usually calmer than Saturdays

• Lunchtime and early evening are busy with office workers

• Friday and Saturday nights can be very crowded

If your teams are working shifts, early evening visits or later quiet nights can work well.

FAQs

Where is the Christmas market in Birmingham?

The main Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market runs through Victoria Square and along New Street in the city centre, a short walk from Birmingham New Street station.

When is the Birmingham Christmas Market open in 2025?

It is scheduled from Saturday 1 November to Wednesday 24 December 2025, opening daily with slightly extended hours on Fridays and Saturdays.

What are the best Christmas markets to visit in Birmingham?

The two main options are:

• Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market in Victoria Square and New Street

• Christmas in Cathedral Square near Birmingham Cathedral

Both are walkable from each other and from the main station.

What Christmas events are on in Birmingham?

Expect:

• The Frankfurt Christmas Market

• Ice Skate Birmingham and the Big Wheel in Centenary Square

• Christmas theatre, pantomimes and concerts

• Light trails and special events at venues across the city

For updated listings, check Visit Birmingham’s Christmas events pages.

What are the best things to do at Christmas in Birmingham for workers staying in the city?

Good options include:

• Visiting the markets after work

• Ice skating and a ride on the Big Wheel

• Simple walks around the city lights

• Group meals in the city centre

• Day trips to local attractions on days off

Is Birmingham a good base for work projects over Christmas?

Yes. Birmingham has strong transport links, plenty of festive activity, and good access to other Midlands cities. With the right contractor accommodation, it is a practical and comfortable base for teams working during the Christmas period.

Final Thoughts: Make The Most Of Christmas In Birmingham

Christmas in Birmingham combines one of the biggest German-style markets in the UK with ice rinks, lights, bars and seasonal events. It is lively, busy and full of things to do, whether you are visiting for fun or staying for work.

Planning work in Birmingham this Christmas? Book contractor accommodation with flexible terms, strong Wi Fi and easy access to the city centre.

Book Now to secure your dates for November and December 2025.