Birmingham’s famous Frankfurt Christmas Market returns for 2025 and here’s opening times and important information to help you get the best out of your festive visit.
Dates of Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market 2025
The German Market in Birmingham city centre opens on Saturday November 1 and remains until and including Christmas Eve, Wednesday December 24.
Where is the German Market in Birmingham?
The main hub of stalls, bars and a stage with live music is based at Victoria Square, infront of Birmingham Council House, with stalls and bars also running down New Street to Rotunda Square, near the famous bull at Bullring.
Victoria Square is where you’ll find the traditional merry-go-round and also the much-loved Chris Moose singing toy animal above the bar.
Food and drink at Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market
Enjoy everything from Gluhwein to bratwurst and beers at the largest authentic German Christmas market outside Germany.
Among the most popular food every year is the garlic bread, but there is also fruit dipped in chocolate and candied nuts of all varieties if you don’t fancy a sausage.
There’s also hot chocolate, with or without an alcoholic tipple in it.
Remember, on top of the cost of a beverage, you pay for the loan of the glass or mug on purchase and get this returned to you when you take it back. If you like the look of it, you can decide to keep the mug or stein as you’ve already paid for it.
Opening hours of Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market
The Christmas market is open daily until December 24.
Monday – Thursday 11am – 9pm
Friday 11am – 9.30pm
Saturday 10am – 9.30pm
Sunday 10am – 9pm.
Please note, it will open later on Remembrance Sunday, November 9, from 1pm until 9pm.
Christmas shopping in Birmingham
Along with the eclectic stalls at the German market, Birmingham is a shopper’s paradise from big brands to independent boutiques.
At Bullring and Grand Central find Selfridges, M&S, Sephora, Uniqlo, the Lego Store and more while High Street boasts the world’s biggest Primark.
There’s a host of independent shops and salons filling pretty Piccadilly, Great Western and Burlington Arcades and more are dotted amongst big names in New Street and Corporation Street for endless gift ideas.
They include many jewellery stores – something Birmingham is famous for.
Other pubs and bars for after the German market closes
Birmingham has something for all tastes when it comes to its bustling bar and pub scene, so why not continue your night out after the Frankfurt Christmas Market closes?
Hotspots for venues are in Bennetts Hill for its many bars and restaurants, Temple Street for pubs, bars and dancefloors and John Bright Street, where you can drink under the twinkling festoon lighting into the early hours.
For watering holes with a difference, Merlin’s Café Bar is a goth bar with quirky horror decor in Martineau Place. Bacchus Bar in Burlington Arcade, pictured above, has to be seen to be believed, with medieval castle surroundings and even an Egyptian room.
Traditional pubs range from The Victoria and The Railway in John Bright Street to The Good Intent in Great Western Arcade, The Briar Rose and Sun On The Hill in Bennetts Hill and The Shakespeare in Lower Temple Street and Trocadero in Temple Street, both next to New Street Station. Inside the station, there’s also JD Wetherspoon’s pub The London and North Western.
Cherry Reds lounge bar is a Birmingham favourite in John Bright Street with a range of beers on tap and chilled out atmosphere. There’s also a new Irish Bar Katie O’Briens and Flight Club in Temple Street, along with The Head of Steam craft beer pub with its own shuffleboard area. If you like an ale, head to Brewdog in John Bright Street too, where there’s also Stable for cider lovers.
For cocktails and dancing, Be At One and Tonight Josephine are lively venues in Stephenson Street, while Manahatta and Revolucion de Cuba are vibrant bars in Temple Street and Turtle Bay in John Bright Street has special cocktail offers and a big bar in its restaurant.
The Cosy Club and The Lost and Found in Bennetts Hill are also favourites for cocktails and brunches. Aphrodite’s in Temple Street, The Fox and Chance in Pinfold Street, The Ivy in Temple Row and The Cocktail Club in Temple Street are decadent surroundings for a sophisticated drink. Clays also has an attractive bar upstairs at Piccadilly Arcade next to its virtual clay shooting experience.
Transport to Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market
The German market is steps away from New Street Train Station and also close to stops for the West Midlands Metro tram and a five minute walk from Snow Hill Train Station.
Buses stop in Birmingham city centre from across the West Midlands. Plan your journey through the Transport For West Midlands journey planner here.
Traffic gets extremely busy in Birmingham city centre while the Christmas market is on, but if you do decide to drive, the nearest car parks to Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market are:
The Town Hall multi-storey car park run by Birmingham City Council – open 24 hours a day
Car park at Grand Central
Car parks at Bullring
Car park above Snow Hill Train Station off Colmore Row
See the council website here to find details on all Birmingham city centre car parks.