Christmas is coming! Birmingham German Christmas Market tree is going up this weekend

Birmingham’s German Christmas Market will start to take shape this weekend as the city prepares for the festive attraction’s return next month.

The distinctive chalets, bars and landmark Christmas tree, will start to be put together when work on building the market begins on Saturday, 23 October.

The popular event, also known as the Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market, will return on next month and help bring some festive cheer back to the city centre, after the market was cancelled last year due to the pandemic.

This year’s event which gets underway on November 4 and runs until 23 December will be smaller, with 56 stalls, with ongoing public realm works in Victoria Square.

The market celebrates its 21st year and brings with it the traditional festive aroma of hot gluhwein, schnitzel and spicy sausage, which will fill New Street and Victoria Square for seven weeks.

This year’s event does come with the caveat of change or cancellation, should Covid restrictions come back into effect during the winter.

Cllr Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “The Frankfurt Christmas Market is one of Birmingham’s great festive events, attracting millions of people to the city centre - so it’s great to see it return for its 21st year after it was cancelled due to the pandemic last year.

“I’d like to thank everyone involved in planning and staging the market who works so hard, all year round, to make this such a well-run and special festive event.”

Kurt Stroscher, Frankfurt City Council’s director of festivals and events, said: “We are so happy to come back to Birmingham this year and looking forward to seeing people enjoying the market’s festive cheer – we’ve missed being part of the city’s Christmas celebrations.

“Last year’s decision to cancel the Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market was made with a very heavy heart. In planning this year’s return we’ve introduced Covid safety measures to ensure we protect the public, traders and visitors.”

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