I went Christmas shopping at Birmingham’s German Market and discovered brilliantly quirky gifts

Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market has returned and it’s attracting thousands of people to the city centre every day.

Millions are expected to come to the festive attraction over the coming weeks to enjoy the festivities. I headed down to the market on opening day last week (Thursday, November 2) and was among the first festive customers to discover what goodies were on offer.

Like last year, the market has stalls in Victoria Square and down New Street - and they offer something for everyone. You’ll find the mulled wine, German beer and Bratwurst in Victoria Square with the gift stalls located on New Street.

It’s a good place to go if you’re looking for Christmas gifts at decent prices

The market is renowned for its classic German food and drink, but it’s also a good place to go if you’re looking for some nice Christmas gifts for family and friends at decent prices. After enjoying a half pint of Hofbrau and a Bratwurst, I had a stroll down the high street to look for some of the best Christmas gifts on offer at this year’s Christmas Market.

At one of the stalls on New Street I found some lovely little Christmas ornaments, as well some quirky hand crafted wooden animals that play animal sounds. These included frogs, elephants and owls and will cost you between £5 and £10.

The markets on the high street are also stocked full of little Christmas ornaments and one of the market workers gave me a nice little Christmas ornament of two people hugging for £5, as well as a candle for just £50p. These will make the perfect stocking filler presents this Christmas.

If you’re looking to buy something with a bit more value for a loved one, there are also some jewellery stalls in Victoria Square and down New Street. My only real criticim is maybe a lack of variety. lt would have been good to see some gift stalls with more toys for children, but overall, there are nice little festive gifts.

Is the food and drink expensive at the Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market?

During my time at the market, as well as buying the gifts, I also bought a Bratwurst for £6 and a half pint of Hofbrau for £4.50. An Apple Choc for pudding also cost me £4.50, meaning I got five items at the market for £20, which wasn’t bad value for money at all.

What other festivities are taking place in the city centre?

The Ice rink and Big Wheel also opened last Thursday (November 2) and will run until January 7, 2024. Every session at the ice rink is 45 minutes. Each session will start on the hour, every hour from 10.00 am – 10.00 pm.

Ice Skate will be closed on 25th December 2023 (Christmas Day). Those who don’t know how to skate and need private skating tuition, can contact the team at Ice Skate at Birmingham. If you wish to ice skate with a carer, you can let them know earlier so they can make sure all the arrangements are in place.

You will be able to enjoy the ice skating and big wheel longer than the German Christmas Market, which ends on Christmas eve. The Big Wheel costs £8 for adults and £7 for children, with ice skating costing £13 for adults and £11 for children.

When does the Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market close?

The German Market is open every day from now until Christmas Eve (Sunday, December 24). Here are the opening hours:

• Monday – Thursday 11am – 9pm
• Friday 11am – 9.30pm
• Saturday 10am – 9.30pm
• Sunday 10am – 9pm

There’s free live music with some famus musicians from Germany and Birmingham. Sessions are being held Monday to Friday and there are performances all day on Saturday and Sunday. The Christmas Market is within in the Clean Air Zone, so check if your car his compliant or if you’re liable for a charge here: Birmingham Clean Air Zone. There are multiple buses, trains and trams that you can travel into the city centre, which could be quicker than driving.