I visited Birmingham's Christmas market to find out how much you really need to spend to enjoy it

The Frankfurt Christmas Market has opened for the 2024 festivities. However, with many of us feeling the squeeze, how much do we need to get the most out of the market this year?

For years, there’s been criticism over the prices of the festive market - with many feeling priced out over the cost of the food, drinks and trinkets on offer.

So, we’ve decided to work out what the minimum spend you need is to still make the most of it.

This weekend is the opening weekend for the market, which will take over Victoria Square and New Street in the city centre. With food stalls, ornaments, attractions, and drinks stalls stretching throughout Birmingham, there is plenty of choice for a festive treat.

As a result, it is easy to get carried away with treating yourself, so how much should you budget to make sure you enjoy yourself at the market?

Read more: Your bumper Midlands Christmas guide 2024: Markets, Santa visits, garden centres, real trees, pantos & more

If you are a foodie like me, the first port of call is to get a bite to eat. There is a variety of food to choose from. My visit to the market led me to get the iconic half-metre bratwurst sausage.

It is the most expensive hot dog on offer, priced at £9. Following this you will need a drink. I decided to have a soft drink which cost me £2.50, and a bottle of water was also available for £1.50. If you would like an alcoholic drink with your food, it can range from £4.50 for a half pint of beer to £12.50 for a double pint of beer. 

However, cheaper hotdogs are available, starting at £5.50. This brings the minimum budget for food and drink to £7, not including sweet treats. To accommodate for alcohol, this rises to £12 - £12.50

Next on the list is a souvenir which the market has plenty to offer, ranging from beautifully crafted sculptures of your favourite superheroes and neon lights to Christmas tree decorations and ornaments.

There is a wide range of what to budget for a souvenir. Smaller Christmas tree ornaments can be brought on offer, such as three for £10. Larger ornaments are the most costly, with the most expensive during my visit costing £80. 

Depending on the type of souvenir you would like, you may need to budget £20 - £25. 

If you fancy a sweet treat, there are plenty on offer, including churros, crepes, and chocolate marshmallows. Prices vary depending on what you want.

The most expensive of these options is 20 chocolate marshmallows for £20. Churros and crepes both range from £4.50 - £6. Budget around £10 - £15 for snacks as there is an endless choice throughout the market. 

It’s not just food, drinks, and gifts on offer at the market.

There is also a selection of attractions to try whilst visiting the market. You’ll find the ice rink, a Ferris wheel, and two rides by the library.

Tickets for the Ferris wheel and other rides are £7 - £8 each. The ice rink is the most expensive attraction, with an adult ticket costing £15 for a 45-minute session, including ice skate hire. Expect to budget around £25 for attractions.

So how much do you need?

So if you want to experience each section of the market, a minimum budget to have in mind is £67.

However, this can vary depending on which areas of the market appeal to you the most. 

What do you think of the Christmas market? Do you eagerly await its arrival or think it’s too expensive to enjoy? Contact us at [email protected].