Christmas lights switch on as Cathedral Square Christmas Market opens in Colmore Business District

The countdown to Christmas continues with a second major festive lights switch on in the city centre.

Christmas officially arrives in the Colmore Business District with 150 light features and the opening of Christmas in Cathedral Square at 6.30pm on Wednesday 17 November.

The event is free to attend and you can join in with a few carols at Evensong at Birmingham Cathedral beforehand at 5.45pm if you can arrive earlier.

You can keep the Christmas spirit alive afterward too, and enjoy a drink or two at Birmingham’s latest bar - The Pigeon in the Park. The pop-up pub is aptly named after Cathedral Square’s most renowned residents!

What’s happening for Christmas in Colmore Business District?

Come and see the glittering light arch in Snow Hill Square.

Church Street Square will be lit up by a dazzling Christmas tree.

There’s an even bigger one at Colmore Square, where you will find the District’s biggest ever tree - it’s 9m tall and will stand in the grounds of Birmingham Cathedral.

More than 40 craft, gift, food and stall drinks will surround the tree at the Christmas Market in Cathedral Square.

Christmas chalets will serve food and drink from some of the Business District’s best outlets, including   Hookways, Java Roastery and Purecraft Bar & Kitchen.

They will be joined by other vendors from across the city and region including, Loki Wine, Miss Macaroon, Pineapple Club, Dirty Dogs and Fries, Donut Shack, Mumbai Grill and Fruit Dippers.

What else is going on for Christmas in Birmingham city centre?

Cathedral Square Market complements other established festive events in the city centre including:

The Frankfurt Christmas market

Ice Skate Birmingham

City Social

What have the organisers said about the Christmas Lights switch on and Cathedral Square Market?

Michele Wilby, CEO of Colmore BID said: “Christmas is almost upon us and we can’t wait to celebrate it with everyone. Christmas in Cathedral Square has been a long time in the making and we’re so pleased to see this idea come to fruition.

!Our light switch on events are always popular with the local community, but this year’s event is our biggest yet as we combine it with the opening of our festive market.

“The city’s top attractions have worked closely to strengthen Birmingham’s festive offering this year and we hope what we have in store for everyone makes up for 2020. We encourage people to not only visit Christmas in Cathedral Square, but also explore the many other sights in the District and beyond.

“Colmore Business District is much more than just a place to do business. We have over 60 fantastic hospitality venues, shops and hotels in the District, offering everything from a quiet festive coffee through to the perfect Christmas party with friends.

“After a challenging 2021, these venues need our support more than ever and will be pulling out all the stops to cater for everyone’s needs.”

A message from the editor:

Thank you for reading. BirminghamWorld is Birmingham’s latest news website, championing everything that is great about our city - reporting on news, lifestyle and sport. Find out more about who’s who in the team, and our editorial values. We want to start a community among our readers, so please follow us on Facebook,Twitter and Instagram, and keep the conversation going.