The annual Birmingham Christmas Market, which runs for several weeks in the lead-up to Christmas, has become a much-loved highlight for residents and visitors alike. Sprawling from Victoria Square and along New Street, this huge market is the perfect place to wander with family, catch up with mates, enjoy live music, tuck into some festive treats and find those all-important Christmas presents. The Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market has earned its reputation as the largest German Christmas market outside of Germany and Austria. Find out more at birminghamski.
The Origins of Christmas and the Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market
The celebration of Christmas was introduced into the Christian world in the 4th century. It was deliberately timed to coincide with the Roman festival of Saturnalia, giving a new meaning to pagan traditions. The Roman festival began on 17th December and lasted for a week. During this time, state and public affairs were suspended, along with schooling for the young. It was forbidden to punish criminals, and slaves were granted certain privileges, such as the right to wear their masters’ clothes and eat with them at the same table. The city’s main square became the setting for public celebrations filled with joy and merriment. People would exchange a variety of gifts, including lamps, wax candles, and terracotta and clay figurines. Christians embraced the positive aspects of this tradition while rejecting the rituals of animal sacrifice and the worship of other gods.
Christmas markets first appeared in large, bustling trading cities, particularly in what is now Germany. Mentions of the Frankfurt Christmas Market can be found in documents dating back to the late 14th century. Typically set up in central squares, these markets offered a wide range of goods, such as candles, sweets, handcrafted items, decorations and, of course, toys for children. In the Middle Ages, these included textile dolls, wooden carriages, rocking horses, and other handmade trinkets. It’s worth noting that before the second half of the 17th century, children’s toys could only be bought at festive bazaars in the run-up to Christmas. Furthermore, it was in Germany in the 15th century that the custom of decorating a Christmas tree with lights and other festive adornments first began.
In 1966, Frankfurt am Main and Birmingham became sister cities. In the late 1990s, the Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market was introduced as part of this partnership. The main goal was to create an authentic German market that would attract both locals and tourists. The festive spectacle quickly won the hearts of Brummies, as it allowed them to immerse themselves in a traditional German atmosphere without leaving England. It all started with just a few stalls around the Christmas tree, and by 2001, there were already two dozen. Over the following years, the market’s size and visitor numbers continued to grow.
Food and Drink at the Christmas Market
One traditional dish eaten during the Christmas fast in Germany was **Stollen**. In ancient times, instead of the “forbidden” butter and milk, the yeast dough was made with rapeseed oil. However, the nobility disliked its lean taste and, in the 15th century, appealed to the Pope for permission to add butter to the dough, which was eventually granted. Since then, Stollen has been prepared with a generous amount of high-fat unsalted butter, and the filling typically includes raisins and candied peel. It’s still baked in cast-iron forms and can be stored for over a month without losing its flavour. Visitors to the market enjoy it with a cup of coffee or tea.
Another German dish, though not exclusively a Christmas one, that you can enjoy at the market is a grilled **Bratwurst** sausage. These come in various types depending on the ingredients, but they are always packed with aromatic spices. They can be served on their own or in a bun, with fresh vegetables and sauces added to taste. It’s worth noting that the UK is very considerate of those who don’t eat meat, so you can also find vegan Bratwurst options at the market. A German sausage is often paired with a beer. Besides Bratwurst, you can also try a **Brezel**, a pretzel that comes with toppings like salami, cheese, vegetables, and mustard.
On a cold day, a warming Christmas **Glühwein** is just the ticket. It’s usually made with red or white wine, which is carefully heated without bringing it to a boil. Spices like cloves, cinnamon, lemon, and sugar are then added to give it its distinctive taste. The secret to the drink lies in the perfect ratio of ingredients. It’s hard to walk past the Glühwein stalls without stopping, as their irresistible aroma fills the air for several metres, and they have rightfully earned the title of the “heart of the market.”
A must-have treat at the Christmas market is a pancake with chocolate or banana. Overall, the Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market offers a diverse range of food to suit every taste.
Entertainment at the Christmas Market
At the Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market, adults love the shopping, as the market is a great place to buy **unique gifts** for family and friends. The stalls feature souvenirs and many handmade items made from leather and wood, jewellery, crystal lamps, lanterns, toys, and much more.
Children love the fairground attractions, with the large Christmas carousel being a firm favourite. Opposite Birmingham Council House, you’ll traditionally find the **singing moose’s residence**, a meeting with which children look forward to all year. For several years now, its playlist has included songs in two languages, English and German, as the market is, after all, German. Other popular children’s activities include horse rides around the market, the big wheel, and the ice rink.
The festive atmosphere is enhanced by musical performances in the very heart of Victoria Square. You can enjoy listening to traditional Christmas carols and songs or some fantastic jazz compositions.
It’s worth noting that the Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market is an accessible and accommodating space for people with disabilities, including wheelchair users, with stair-free routes provided. Additionally, guide dogs are welcome at the market.
Christmas Charity
Each year, the Christmas market attracts between 3 and 5 million visitors. With over 100 stalls, it provides temporary employment for more than 7,000 people.
The final day of the festive market traditionally concludes with a charitable act. Throughout the weeks, stallholders who sell goods set aside small change to donate to charitable organisations. Meanwhile, food vendors make sure to give away all their leftover products. This way, waffles, sausages, vegetables, and fruit are sent by volunteers to a hostel for homeless people, while sweets are delivered to children’s homes. The stall owners are delighted that such a wonderful tradition exists in Birmingham, as they believe Christmas should always be accompanied by charity, otherwise, the holiday loses its true spirit. For the vendors, this act of goodwill becomes a way of expressing gratitude to the city for the opportunity to share their hospitality.
Over its history, the Birmingham Christmas Market has become as important an event for Brummies as it is for the residents of Frankfurt am Main. According to a survey of locals, the Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market ranks first in the list of the best festivals, as it is filled with festive cheer and friendliness, and it truly “brings joy to the world.”
