Making the Most of Christmas in the Midlands
When Christmas arrives, the Midlands really comes into its own. Birmingham fills with twinkling lights, festive markets and seasonal entertainment, while just beyond the city you'll find countryside walks, Christmas trails and even a steam train experience that feels straight out of a festive film.
Whether you're planning a day out, a weekend away or a longer Christmas break, there's plenty to fill your calendar. Here are some of the best ways to enjoy Christmas in Birmingham and across the wider Midlands.
Discover the Midlands at Christmas
Across Birmingham city centre and the surrounding Warwickshire countryside, you'll find everything from bustling markets and ice skating to peaceful winter walks and family-friendly festive experiences. That means you can build your Christmas plans around exactly the kind of atmosphere you're looking for.
Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market
Few things say Christmas in Birmingham quite like the Frankfurt Christmas Market.
Officially twinned with Frankfurt's own Weihnachtsmarkt, Birmingham's market is widely considered the largest authentic German Christmas market outside Germany or Austria. Many of its stallholders travel from Frankfurt each year, bringing traditional food, drinks, gifts and decorations with them.
In 2026, the market runs from 5th November to 24th December across Victoria Square and New Street, with free entry.
With more than 180 stalls to explore, you can tuck into festive favourites including bratwurst, pretzels, roasted nuts and stollen before browsing handmade decorations, ornaments and Christmas gifts.
It's busy, lively and unapologetically festive, making it an ideal starting point for a Christmas day out in the city.
Christmas in Cathedral Square
Prefer something a little quieter? Head to Christmas in Cathedral Square.
Set within the grounds of Birmingham Cathedral, this festive market puts the focus on independent businesses, makers and local traders. More than 60 stalls typically offer everything from arts and crafts to seasonal food and drink.
It provides a more relaxed alternative to the larger Frankfurt market and is a particularly good choice if you're looking for unique Christmas gifts or want to support independent businesses.
Go Ice Skating in Centenary Square
For a classic winter activity, make your way to Centenary Square.
The square is transformed for the festive season with a covered outdoor ice rink and a towering Big Wheel, usually running from early November into the first few days of January.
Take a spin around the rink before heading up on the Big Wheel for views across Birmingham's skyline. It's an easy activity to add to a day at the Christmas markets and a popular choice for families, couples and groups of friends.
Enjoy Carousels, Carols and Live Entertainment
Christmas in Birmingham isn't just about shopping.
Across the main market areas, you'll find seasonal entertainment throughout the festive period, from live music and carol singing to a traditional vintage-style carousel.
It's worth leaving some space in your itinerary simply to wander. Grab a hot drink, listen to the music and soak up the atmosphere before deciding where to head next.
Follow the Lights at Luminate
When the market stalls start to feel a bit too familiar, head to Birmingham Botanical Gardens after dark instead, because that's when the real magic happens. Luminate, the Gardens' winter light trail, turns the Grade II* listed grounds into something out of a fairytale, with glowing installations, shimmering projections and tunnels of light woven between the trees, all set to music.
It runs from 28th November 2026 to 2nd January 2027, 4:30pm to 8pm, and there's no need to rush. This is an evening for slow, wide-eyed wandering. Refuel along the way with food and drink from the on-site traders, and don't skip the marshmallow toasting. The trail is wheelchair accessible with disabled toilets on site, and there's parking at the Gardens, including a limited number of blue badge spaces, on a first-come-first-served basis. Tickets need to be booked online in advance, and since it's an outdoor evening event, wrap up warm.
All Aboard the Polar Express
For families, few festive experiences create quite as much excitement as The Polar Express Train Ride.
Returning to Birmingham Moor Street Station for the 2026 Christmas season, the experience takes passengers aboard vintage carriages pulled by a real steam locomotive for an immersive retelling of the much-loved story.
Expect dancing chefs, a golden-ticket punch from the conductor, hot chocolate, cookies and a visit from Father Christmas himself, including the first gift of Christmas.
It's become one of the region's most popular family Christmas activities, so booking ahead is well worth considering if it's high on your festive wish list.
Turn Your Day Out into a Christmas Break
With so much happening across Birmingham and the surrounding countryside, trying to fit everything into one day can quickly feel rushed.
Staying just outside the city gives you the best of both worlds. You can enjoy Birmingham's Christmas markets and attractions when you want to, then retreat to the Warwickshire countryside when you're ready for a quieter evening.
It also gives you more time to explore. Spend one day browsing markets and skating in the city, then dedicate another to a countryside walk, festive trail or family experience.
Christmas Breaks Near Birmingham
If you'd rather leave the cooking and Christmas Day planning to somebody else, a festive hotel stay can turn the season into a proper getaway.
The Belfry, a short drive from Birmingham, offers a two or three-night Christmas break beginning on Christmas Eve.
The break includes festive dining, entertainment and a Christmas Day buffet. Dogs are welcome too. That makes it a flexible option for families looking for a Christmas break with the children, couples planning a festive escape or anyone who simply wants to enjoy Christmas without spending most of the day in the kitchen.
With Birmingham nearby, you can also combine your stay with Christmas markets, shopping and festive attractions before settling in for the celebrations.
Make Christmas in the Midlands Your Own
The best Christmas trips don't need a packed itinerary.
Choose a few things you really want to experience, whether that's browsing Birmingham's Christmas markets, taking the children aboard The Polar Express, heading out for a winter walk or escaping for a few nights in the countryside.
It's worth planning for the most popular experiences, particularly those with limited tickets. But leave some room for spontaneity too.
After all, sometimes the best part of Christmas days out is simply finding a warm drink, following the lights and seeing where the day takes you.
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