Plan the best Christmas in Birmingham with these 10 activities
There’s something about Christmas in Birmingham that makes even the chilliest cities feel warm and deliver on that festive magic.
Even if you’re planning a winter escape or want to soak up the season somewhere new, there’s no shortage of fun activities taking place around every corner. Trust me, you don’t need to be a local to feel at home here.
So, if you want to make your holidays extra memorable, this list is for you. Here are some of the best festive things to do in Birmingham, perfect for anyone chasing that cosy Christmas feeling.
1. Explore Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market
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Website: https://thebfcm.co.uk/
Location: Victoria Square
Hours: Monday to Thursday: 11 AM – 9 PM | Friday: 11 AM – 9:30 PM | Saturday: 10 AM – 9:30 PM | Sunday: 10 AM – 9 PM
Pricing: ££
We were genuinely surprised at just how big Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market is. It’s the largest authentic German Christmas market outside of Germany and Austria.
Located across Victoria Square and New Street, the whole area transforms into a festive village full of bratwurst, mulled wine, and twinkling lights. There are over 80 stalls, and we loved that each had something different, from handcrafted gifts to wooden toys.
It’s completely free to enter and open daily from early November until Christmas Eve, so you can easily pop in even for a quick festive stroll after work or shopping.
If you’re coming by train, New Street Station is just a 5-minute walk away, and we’d recommend avoiding weekends if you’re not a fan of crowds.
Pro Tip:
Bring cash! Many stalls are still cash-only despite being in the city centre.
2. Go ice skating at Centenary Square
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Location: Centenary Square
Hours: Monday to Sunday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Pricing: ££
Few things feel more Christmassy than gliding across an open-air ice rink with festive lights twinkling all around. At Centenary Square, you’re skating with the backdrop of the Library of Birmingham and the Big Wheel rising beside you.
Sessions run for 45 minutes and cost approximately £14 for adults, including skate hire. Booking online is your best bet because queues form quickly in the evenings, especially on weekends.
There’s a heated cafe bar just by the rink, ideal for warming up between laps or for anyone happy to spectate with a mulled wine in hand.
We also spotted combo deals if you want to pair your skate with a ride on the Big Wheel. We found that a late afternoon slot provides the best daylight and twinkling nightlights.
Pro Tip:
Skate socks aren’t provided, so we recommend bringing a thicker pair. Your ankles will thank you halfway through.
3. Watch a Christmas pantomime at Birmingham Hippodrome
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Website: https://www.birminghamhippodrome.com/
Location: South Side, Hippodrome Theatre, Hurst St
Contact: +44 121 689 3000
Hours: Monday to Friday: 10 AM – 6 PM | Saturday: 12 PM – 6 PM
Pricing: £££
We couldn’t stop laughing at the panto at Birmingham Hippodrome’s over-the-top silliness. It’s one of those British Christmas traditions you just have to experience.
Last year, we saw “Dick Whittington,” which had everything: glitter, slapstick, singing animals, and loads of cheeky jokes.
Ticket prices range from £16 to £50 depending on your seat, and shows usually run from late November through early January.
The Hippodrome is a beautiful venue too, so even arriving early feels special. We snapped some great photos of the lobby’s Christmas display. It’s family-friendly, but still super fun for grown-ups, especially with a drink in hand before the show.
Pro Tip:
Book a matinee if you’re on a budget. It’s usually cheaper than evening shows, and the crowd is a little more relaxed.
4. Wander through the Christmas Light Trail at Birmingham Botanical Gardens
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Website: https://birminghambotanicalgardens.org.uk/
Location: Westbourne Rd
Contact: +44 121 454 1860
Hours: Monday to Sunday: 10 AM – 6 PM
Pricing: ££
The Christmas Light Trail at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens was honestly one of our favourite surprises. As we wandered through tunnels of fairy lights and sculptures, it felt like a proper winter wonderland away from the city noise.
The garden paths are illuminated with interactive displays, LED trees, and a fire garden that emits a warm, orange glow. Food stalls are also scattered throughout, offering a variety of treats, from Yorkshire pudding wraps to cinnamon churros.
It’s a ticketed event from late November to early January. We paid around £19 per adult and £13 for children. Timed entries help control crowds, and we found the 7 PM slot perfect for photos and fewer kids.
Access is easiest via taxi or rideshare; the staff will direct you upon entry. It’s flat, stroller-friendly, and surprisingly spacious, even on busy nights.
Pro Tip:
Pack a power bank. With all the photos, phone batteries drain fast, and you’ll want enough charge to use the event app’s interactive map and QR scavenger trail.
5. Browse the festive stalls at the Bullring’s Christmas in Cathedral Square
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Website: https://birminghamcathedral.com/
Location: Cathedral Square, Colmore Row
Hours: Monday to Friday: 7:20 AM – 6:30 PM | Saturday and Sunday: 8:20 AM – 5 PM
Pricing: ££
We’ve been to Christmas markets before, but something about this one setting, right next to Birmingham Cathedral, makes it feel especially cosy.
The stalls at Cathedral Square are more locally focused, with Birmingham-based artisans selling handmade soaps, ornaments, and baked goods.
We picked up the cutest laser-cut wooden baubles here last year, all personalised on the spot.
Unlike the much busier German Market, this one feels quieter and more intimate, especially if you visit during the week. It’s open daily from mid-November to December, and live music is typically performed on Fridays and weekends.
It’s also just a 3-minute walk from New Street Station, so if you’re staying central, you won’t need to trek far.
Pro Tip:
You can grab warm drinks here instead of at the German Market. They’re often cheaper, and we found the flavours more unique.
6. Enjoy Carols by Candlelight at St. Martin’s in the Bullring
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Website: https://bullring.org/
Location: Edgbaston St
Contact: [email protected]
Hours: Tuesday to Friday: 12 PM – 5 PM | Saturday: 12 PM – 4 PM | Sunday: 9:30 AM – 4 PM
Pricing: Free
One of the most unexpectedly emotional parts of our Christmas in Birmingham was singing along to carols in the beautiful, candlelit interior of St. Martin’s Church.
The glow from hundreds of candles bouncing off the gothic stone made it feel like stepping back in time. It’s usually a one-night event around mid-December and is completely free to attend, though donations are encouraged.
The event showcases performances from the orchestra, choir, and guest soloists. It typically alternates between professional renditions and audience participation.
Afterwards, we wandered out into the city centre and grabbed dinner at The Ivy on Temple Row. We recommend trying their famous shepherd’s pie. It’s a comforting house favourite after an evening of music.
Pro Tip:
There’s no printed programme. If you want to sing along, download the lyrics from the church’s Facebook page beforehand.
7. Step into Santa’s Grotto at House of Fraser
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Website: https://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/
Location: Corporation St, B2 5JS
Hours: Monday to Saturday: 9:30 AM – 6:30 PM | Sunday: 11 AM – 5:30 PM
Pricing: £
Even if you’re not travelling with kids, there’s something joyful about visiting Santa’s Grotto at House of Fraser on Corporation Street.
The staff go all out with decorations, and the experience feels charmingly nostalgic rather than overly commercial.
We watched wide-eyed children leave with free toys, giggling like mad and even got a sneaky photo with Santa ourselves. The grotto experience usually runs from late November and requires booking in advance via their website.
It’s only about £7 per child, and grown-ups can enter for free if they’re accompanying someone. The waiting area even features animated displays and twinkling lights, which keep everyone smiling while they wait in line.
Pro Tip:
After the visit, take the escalator down to the second floor. There, you can use the festive photo zone with props for free, and it’s usually quiet.
8. Go wreath-making at The Big Birmingham Bake
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Website: https://www.thebigbirminghambake.com/
Location: 110 Floodgate St, Deritend
Contact: [email protected]
Hours: Wednesday to Friday: 4:30 PM – 10:30 PM | Saturday and Sunday: 10:30 AM – 10:30 PM
Pricing: £££
We’ve done The Big Birmingham Bake before (for cakes), but their Christmas wreath workshop was on another level of fun. Set in a heated marquee in Digbeth, it’s an hour and a half of crafting, laughing, and hot chocolate sipping.
You’re provided with fresh foliage, cinnamon sticks, ribbons, and dried fruit to create your masterpiece while festive music plays in the background. Tickets are approximately £42, and you can take your wreath home wrapped in a protective bag.
It’s a great option to try something more hands-on this season instead of just wandering markets. We also enjoyed the social atmosphere, and we left with not just a wreath but also a couple of new friends.
If you’re not into baking or crafting, they host Christmas-themed quiz nights and cocktail classes in the same venue. That’s definitely something different to slot into your holiday weekend plans.
Pro Tip:
Avoid wearing black due to the mess from pine needles, moss, and glitter. Trust us, we found out the hard way.
9. Discover Christmas at the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery
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Website: https://www.birminghammuseums.org.uk/birmingham-museum-and-art-gallery
Location: Chamberlain Sq
Contact: +44 121 348 8000
Hours: Wednesday to Sunday: 10 AM – 5 PM
Pricing: ££
Although part of the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery remains closed for refurbishment, the team still puts together festive exhibitions and pop-up events during December.
We attended a small but fascinating showcase about Edwardian Christmas cards, which gave us a new appreciation for how holiday traditions have evolved.
Admission to these seasonal features is usually free, and the smaller galleries that are open still host beautiful collections of Pre-Raphaelite art and Victorian history. The Christmas decorations inside add an extra sparkle to the already-stunning architecture.
You can stop by the gift shop for quirky, locally made stocking fillers such as ceramic ornaments and handmade soaps.
Pro Tip:
Don’t miss the donation-based wrapping station near the gift shop. They’ll wrap gifts from the museum shop using vintage-themed paper while supporting local charities.
10. Explore the Winter Funland at NEC Birmingham
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Website: https://www.thenec.co.uk/
Location: Pendigo Way, Marston Green
Contact: +44 121 780 4141
Hours: Monday to Sunday: 6 AM – 4 AM
Pricing: ££
Winter Funland at the NEC is an extravagant indoor Christmas carnival on steroids if you’ve got kids in tow or want to be one again.
It’s located just 15 minutes by train from Birmingham New Street, making it easily accessible even without driving. Once inside, it’s warm, cheerful, and full of energy.
We spent hours riding fairground rides, playing games, visiting the circus, and even skating under twinkling lights.
Tickets range from £22 to £28 depending on the day. These include unlimited rides, skating, a circus show, and access to Santa’s grotto. It’s one of the most all-in-one Christmas experiences near the city.
Also, we recommend bringing snacks, as the food stalls inside can be somewhat pricey.
Pro Tip:
Bring a tote or drawstring bag to hold your prizes. With all the fairground games on your ticket, it’s easy to rack up a few soft toys or snacks.