Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas Market opens tomorrow for its 26th year

Christmas is officially on its way: Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas Market opens tomorrow, Thursday 5 November, for its 26th year in the city.

The Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Zaker Choudhry, and the German Ambassador to the UK, Susanne Baumann, will open the market and switch on the city's festive lights in Victoria Square at 5.30pm.

42 stalls of German food, drink and gifts

This year's market will have 42 decorated stalls serving German food and drink, including hot glühwein, schnitzel and bratwurst, alongside handcrafted gifts, decorations, toys and jewellery.

The Victoria Square bandstand will host a programme of German musicians and up-and-coming Brummie performers. German musicians will play on weekday lunchtimes and every evening, with local performers on stage between midday and 6pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

A slightly different layout

Because of public realm works on Bennetts Hill and Temple Street, there will be no stalls this year on the stretch of New Street between the Apple store and Nando's. The market picks up again beyond Corporation Street, with craft stalls along High Street.

Opening times

The market runs from 5 November to 24 December 2026. It is open from 11am to 9pm Monday to Thursday, 11am to 9.30pm on Fridays, 10am to 9.30pm on Saturdays and 10am to 9pm on Sundays.

On Remembrance Sunday, 8 November, the market will not open until 1pm, as a mark of respect while the city's Civic Service of Remembrance and Parade takes place on Colmore Row.

Big Wheel and ice rink return

The Big Wheel and ice rink are also back in Centenary Square, open daily from 5 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, from 10am to 10pm (closed on Christmas Day). Tickets can be booked through the ice rink's website.

"A highlight of the season"

Councillor Deborah Harries, Cabinet Member for Culture, said: "We welcome the Frankfurt Christmas Market back to Birmingham this week, which is a highlight of the season for residents and visitors alike, starting the countdown to Christmas for many."

She added that the market "brings in millions of visitors" and is "a major boost to our visitor economy, attracting up to 5 million people each year".

Kurt Stroscher, Director of Festivals and Events at Frankfurt City Council, said: "I am proud and delighted that we have succeeded in establishing our ancient Christmas market tradition so successfully in Birmingham that this year is our 26th consecutive Frankfurt Christmas Market."

The market is part of a friendship between Birmingham and Frankfurt that marks its 60th anniversary this year. More information is on the market's own website, thebfcm.co.uk.