Birmingham Christmas Markets, Christmas dinner, theatre and other events including Digbeth & Jewellery Quarter

Christmas attractions including the ice rink, big wheel and German Market and Cathedral Square Market are open in Birmingham City Centre - and there’s more to come
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Birmingham’s famous Frankfurt Christmas Market and Cathedral Square market are all set to to welcome millions of visitors as Christmas 2022 nears.

The much-loved favourites like the ice rink, big wheel, and food stalls are already open. The hubbub of the German Chistmas Market combined with the festive aroma of hot gluhwein, schnitzel and spicy sausage will be enticing Brummies for several weeks.

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The excitement is high among people as they gather to celebrate the festive season with their loved ones.

When and where are the Christmas markets?

Victoria Square and New Street will be lit up from Thursday 3 November to Friday 23 December 2022 from 10am to 9pm daily, except Remembrance Sunday (13th November) when the Frankfurt Christmas Market will be open from 1pm to 9pm. The German Christmas market will return just like every year to give Brummies and visitors one of the best Christmas attractions in the country.

There will be free live music on the stage in the heart of Victoria Square. Musicians from Germany and Birmingham will be performing during lunchtime and evening music sessions Monday to Friday and performances all day Saturday and Sunday. More details are awaited.

You will find food and craft stalls along Victoria Square and New Street where you can buy knick knacks and amazing German food and beer. Find out more here.

 Visitors and Christmas shoppers enjoy Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas market (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) Visitors and Christmas shoppers enjoy Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas market (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
Visitors and Christmas shoppers enjoy Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas market (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
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Centenary Square will play host to Ice Skate Birmingham, where you can try out ice skating with friends and family. This fun activity is one of the most popular attractions and people wait in line for several minutes to get to the rink inside. The ice rink will be in place from 3 November to 8 January from 10am to 10pm. The Big Wheel will give visitors a magnificent view of Birmingham from the top and it will also be at the Centenary Square from 3 November to 8 January from 10am to 10pm. Find out more here.

Centenary Square getting ready for ChristmasCentenary Square getting ready for Christmas
Centenary Square getting ready for Christmas

Cathedral Square and Pigeon Park’s Christmas market will take place in the grounds of Birmingham Cathedral between 16 November-18 December 2022, offering a mixture of craft, gift and food and drink stalls. The market, which will have numerous stalls, will be promoting local businesses, producers and craftspeople. All details are on their website.

The JQ Makers Market will be set up at St Paul’s Church on December 8, 4.30pm – 7pm. You can pick up festive gifts from local makers including jewellery, stationery, art and homewares from there. See the full list of events here.

Christmas shoppers at Birmingham BullringChristmas shoppers at Birmingham Bullring
Christmas shoppers at Birmingham Bullring

Attic’s Indie Jolly Xmas Market will take place on Sunday 11 December in Stirchley. Between 1pm and 5pm, there will be a variety of traders selling items like ethical organic clothing to festive wax melt gifts. Entry is free and there’s going to be amazing brews and nibbles at the venue as well. For more details, see their website.

What else is going on in the run up to Christmas?

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Bills restaurant in Bullring and Grand Central will be serving their Christmas set menu. The venues will also be decked up in decorations for the festive season.

Multiple restaurants, including Miller & Carter and Lucarelli, in Mailbox will also be serving a Christmas menu. The location will also be decorated in festive bling. Join Christmas parties on Broad Street establishments. O’Neill’s Broad Street and Reflex will be hosting Christmas parties that are not to be missed.

Digbeth’s Luna Springs and The Old Crown will also be hosting some wild parties for revellers. Luna Springs will have DJs and delicious cocktails, beer and food while The Old Crown will have the Christmas quiz and amazing food too.

The Christmas Party Nights at Luna Springs will take place on Thursday 8th, Thursday 15th, Thursday 22nd December from 6pm - 12am. The Bad Santa Bottomless Brunch is available to book on Saturday 26th November, Saturday 3rd December, Saturday 10th December & Saturday 17th December from 3pm - 5pm.

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Dates available for the Mariah vs Buble Brunch are Saturday 26th November, Saturday 3rd December, Saturday 10th December & Saturday 17th December, from 12pm - 2pm. You can also join Birmingham’s ‘biggest session of crowd karaoke’, Massaoke Christmas on Saturday 17th December, from 6pm - midnight. Venue bookings for Luna Springs can be made through their website or by emailing [email protected].

Luna Springs is ready for Christmas  (Photo by (c) Wullie Marr Photography)Luna Springs is ready for Christmas  (Photo by (c) Wullie Marr Photography)
Luna Springs is ready for Christmas (Photo by (c) Wullie Marr Photography)

Mateus Rosé will host ‘Casa Mateus’, a Christmas pop-up on Link Street. The pop-up is a one-off UK event taking place in Birmingham only between 9th-11th December. It’s taking place at 17/18 Moor Street Link. Guests can visit the space free of charge from 12pm – 9pm each day and be greeted with a tasting of Mateus Rosé served in a festive bauble. Christmas songs will be played on the Mateus pink piano to get everyone in the festive spirit. From there, guests can enter a 360-camera booth to create a video of themselves and friends which will be airdropped to their phone and can be shared on social media. The Very Berry Xmas cocktail served in a mini goblet will be available throughout the day along with Mateus Frosés, accompanied by Pastéis de Nata. No booking needed but guests have to be 18+.

Christmas dinner

You can grab Christmas Day dinners at some of the best restaurants in the city centre on the big day itself, December 25.

The Christmas Day meal at Gaucho starts with a welcome drink and ends with a cheese trolley. They have vegetarian and gluten-free options as well. It is priced at £125 per person. You can also choose from their festive menu and private dining options. You can view the full menu on their website

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Chez Mal at Malmaison Birmingham is offering a range of sumptuous options. You can pick a private dining option as well. The three-course menu, including a glass of Champagne, features vegetarian and vegan options as well.

You can pick a starter like curried roast parsnip and coconut soup, and proceed on to mushroom and root vegetable pithiver and end it with a pudding, coffee with amaretto chocolate truffles. Priced at £109 per adult and £54.50 for children aged 5-12, you can see their full menu on their website.

You can find the full list of Christmas Day dinners here.

Dick WhittingtonDick Whittington
Dick Whittington

Christmas theatre

Catch The Nutcracker at the Birmingham Hippodrome. The classic tale will be presented by The Birmingham Royal Ballet from 19 November to 10 December. The Hippodrome also has the Christmas panto - Dick Whittington - from 17 December to 29 January.

Watch the Nativity! The Musical at The Rep from 19 November to 7 January at the Birmingham City Centre. The feel-good and funny show is returning to tickle your bones.

Here is the list of all the Christmas shows to watch.

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