Follow the Glühwein Smoke from Victoria Square to the Rotunda
You will smell it before you see it: cinnamon, charred bratwurst, mulled wine steaming into the cold air somewhere between Victoria Square and the Rotunda. Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas Market is the anchor of the city's festive season, and it is not a modest affair — it stretches over a kilometre through the city centre, from Victoria Square along New Street to the Rotunda, and it is described as the largest authentic German Christmas market outside Germany and Austria. Entry is free; you pay only for what you eat, drink and ride. The market typically opens in early November and runs through the season, so by Christmas week it is in full, well-oiled swing.
Pair it with the Cathedral Square Craft Market, also free to explore, for handmade gifts and a quieter browse. Both sit within easy walking distance of each other, and of the city's three central stations — New Street, Moor Street and Snow Hill — which puts the whole centre within reach on foot. On busy December weekends, leave the car and take the train.
Skate Under the Lights at Centenary Square
Centenary Square is where the city's Christmas takes its most photogenic form: a seasonal ice rink and a big wheel, typically opening in early November and running through the festive period. Book a skating slot, then ride the wheel for the view back across the lights.
If you want the illuminations without the skates, head out to Birmingham Botanical Gardens for Luminate, an after-dark illuminated walk of almost a mile running 28 November 2026 to 2 January 2027 on selected dates. It is ticketed, so reserve ahead. For something on a grander scale, Christmas at Warwick Castle layers a light trail of more than 500,000 lights, illuminated tree tunnels, projected archways and projections onto the castle walls, alongside an open-air ice rink, indoor storytelling with Father Christmas and elves in the state rooms, and a festive food and drink market. It runs 21 November to 3 January, with tickets from £8 depending on which activities you choose.
Hear Carols Where Dickens Read A Christmas Carol
Charles Dickens gave the first public reading of A Christmas Carol at Birmingham Town Hall in 1853. Standing in that room for a Christmas concert is the closest thing the city offers to a direct line back to the season's literary origins — and the December calendar is dense with reasons to be there.
- Symphony Hall: Classical Spectacular (14 Nov), Tony Hadley's Christmas Big Band Tour (19 Nov), The Holiday In Concert with live orchestra (28 Nov–10 Dec), Disney's Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert (8–9 Dec), Love Actually In Concert (14 Dec), CBSO Christmas Party (17 Dec), CBSO Choral Christmas (18 Dec), Christmas with Sir Karl Jenkins (20 Dec), Home Alone In Concert (23 Dec).
- Town Hall: The Overtones — Jivin' Home For Christmas (4 Dec), Ex Cathedra: Britten at Christmas (5 Dec), CBSO with Kazuki conducting The Nutcrackers (10 Dec), Step Into Christmas (11 Dec), Toyah's Christmas Party (13 Dec), Big Christmas Sing-A-Long with Aled Jones and Alexander Armstrong (15 Dec), The Snowman with live orchestra (20 Dec), Sing Carols with the City Organist (21 Dec).
- Elsewhere: Ex Cathedra's Christmas Music By Candlelight at The Great Hall, University of Birmingham (18 Dec) and St Paul's Church (19–22 Dec); Lunchtime Christmas Music at Symphony Hall (7 Dec).
Advance booking is strongly advised — weekends and school-holiday dates sell out weeks ahead.
Book the Pantomime, the Ice Show and the Indoor Funfair
Birmingham's stages carry the season well past Christmas Day itself. At the Birmingham Hippodrome you can catch The Nutcracker (20 Nov–12 Dec), One Tiny Penguin (5 Dec–3 Jan) and the panto Sleeping Beauty, starring Rylan, Matt Slack, Zoe Birkett and Andrew Ryan, running 19 December to 31 January with tickets from £20. Beauty and the Beast plays The Old Rep Theatre from 21 November to 31 December.
For something entirely indoors and entirely enormous, Winter Funland takes over the NEC from 5 December 2026 to 2 January 2027. It is billed as the UK's largest indoor Christmas funfair, spread over more than 25,000 square metres, with unlimited fairground rides, an ice rink, a festival circus and an extreme motorbike show all included in the ticket price — £35 for adults and children, free for under-3s. Santa meet-and-greets and photos are part of the deal. Earlier in the season, Disney On Ice presents Discover the Magic fills bp pulse LIVE at the NEC from 28 October to 8 November.
Take the Family to Santa — Before the 24th
One thing to plan around: most of the city's grotto experiences wrap up on or before Christmas Eve, so if Father Christmas is on your agenda, go early in the month rather than on the day itself. The good news is how much choice there is.
- The Polar Express, Birmingham Moor Street station: a themed journey to the "North Pole" in lantern-lit carriages, with a conductor, dancing chefs, hot chocolate and a sleigh bell gifted by Father Christmas. Pyjamas encouraged. Weekends 22 November–20 December, then daily until 23 December; tickets from £56 classic, £71 first class.
- Santa Safari, West Midlands Safari Park: a Christmas-themed Discovery Trail with snow and reindeer, elves guiding pre-booked time slots to Santa's workshop, a panto, storytime with Mrs Claus and selected rides open. Selected dates 21 November–24 December; from £23.95 for adults and children including grotto visit, photo, present and cookie, with under-3s at £15.50. Relaxed and SEND-friendly sessions available.
- Santa Hunts, Black Country Living Museum: an interactive trail through the historic town to find Santa's Black Country grotto, with letter-writing, songs and clues. Runs 28 November–24 December, booked via the museum's website.
- Drayton Manor Magical Christmas, Tamworth: an enchanted grotto, an Aladdin pantomime, festive shows, Thomas Land rides and a dedicated SEND grotto, 28 November–24 December.
- Santa's Grotto, Selly Manor: 5–6 December 2026.
- Alton Towers: Festive Towers Street, CBeebies Land rides and a Big Fun Show Time with Hey Duggee and a Christmas Singalong Badge show, from 16 December, with Santa Sleepovers available.
Also worth knowing: the Festive Gift Fair runs at the NEC on 19–22 November 2026, and The Lion Sheikh — The Muslim Family Panto plays 7 November 2026, with a further date at the International Convention Centre on 9 January 2027.
Plan Around the Season, Not Just the Day
Birmingham's festive programme runs from early November into the new year, and much of what makes the city worth visiting at Christmas happens in the weeks around the 25th rather than on it — which is precisely why the run-up is the time to book. Reserve theatre seats, ice rinks and grotto slots well in advance, favour the train into New Street, Moor Street or Snow Hill over driving on crowded December weekends, and build your days around the free pleasures of the Frankfurt and Cathedral Square markets. Start with the dates that matter most to you, then let the markets fill in the rest.