Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas Market 2024 opens today - full details

Today, Friday, November 1, will see the official opening of the Frankfurt Christmas Market in Victoria Square at 5:30pm, with the turning on of Birmingham’s festive lights.

This year the market returns to the city for seven weeks and celebrates its 24th year, featuring 60 festive stalls selling traditional hot gluhwein, schnitzel, spicy sausage, gifts, handcrafted decorations, toys and jewellery.

The big wheel and popular ice rink will also be returning to Centenary Square, and will open from 1 November 2024 until 5 January 2025, between 10:00am and 10:00pm (except on Christmas Day). For more information and to book tickets visit iceskatebirmingham.co.uk.

There will also be live performances on the bandstand in Victoria Square with Monday ‘open mic’ sessions giving young, up and coming performers and musicians a chance to showcase their talents. The best two acts will perform in a primetime December slot.

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

Choirs from local schools, charities and community groups will also feature on the market’s community music programme.

German musicians will perform weekday lunchtimes and evenings daily, with local performers performing between 12pm and 6pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

The market will opens Friday 1 November to Tuesday 24 December 2024.

• Mondays to Thursdays: 11:00am to 9:00pm
• Fridays: 11:00am to 9:30pm
• Saturdays: 10:00am to 9:30pm
• Sundays: 10:00am to 9:00pm

The market will be closed until 1:00pm on 10 November for Remembrance Sunday.

Councillor Saima Suleman, cabinet member for digital, culture, heritage and tourism, said: “This year we welcome the 24thFrankfurt Christmas Market to the city, which brings with it a selection of traditional food, drink and gifts.

“The market is an event many look forward to this time year and makes a wonderful festive day out for families.

“We are proud the Christmas market was crowned the best Christmas market in the UK for the second year running which provides a huge economic boost for the city. The market is also ranked eighth in Europe, which usually attracts up to 5 million visitors to the city.”

For more information about the city’s Frankfurt Christmas Market, visit thebfcm.co.uk