Christmas Highlights: Experience Birmingham’s Festive Season
This Christmas, Birmingham invites you to step into the season. Across the city, streets, squares, and gardens are transformed by light, music, and festive cheer. From the twinkling market stalls of Christmas in Cathedral Square to the spectacle of the city’s annual Light Switch On, Birmingham offers a winter programme that celebrates community, creativity, and togetherness in equal measure.
For families and visitors alike, there’s no shortage of ways to make the season memorable. Step aboard the Polar Express Train Ride for a dose of cinematic nostalgia, follow the Reindeer Trail through the city’s festive displays, or enjoy a story brought to life at Storytime with Santa. The Cathedral Choir Concert fills the air with timeless carols, while the Botanical Gardens offer a moment of calm amid the sparkle — a reminder that Christmas in Birmingham is as much about reflection as it is celebration.
Explore our full guide today and start planning your festive experiences across the city.
Frankfurt Christmas Market
Each winter, Birmingham’s streets are transformed as the city welcomes the return of the Frankfurt Christmas Market — the largest authentic German-style Christmas market outside Germany or Austria. Located across Victoria Square and New Street, the market invites residents and visitors alike to wander through rows of wooden stalls, discover handcrafted decorations, gifts and toys, and enjoy classic seasonal fare like bratwurst, roasted almonds, and steaming mugs of Glühwein.
More than just shopping, the market thrives as a social hub: friends and families meet over warm drinks, live music fills the square, and the atmosphere pulses with festive warmth and winter charm. It’s as much about the experience of gathering and sharing as it is about the items on sale.
If you’re planning a visit this holiday season, the Frankfurt Christmas Market is a must-see — whether you’re browsing for special presents or simply soaking in the lights, music, and scents of the season. Make time for live performances, traditional crafts and refreshments, and allow yourself to be part of one of Birmingham’s most beloved festive traditions.
Visit their website to check opening hours, events & maps.
Christmas in Cathedral Square Craft Market
Christmas in Cathedral Square returns to the heart of Birmingham this winter, bringing a welcoming mix of local traders, food and drink stalls, and festive entertainment to the city centre. Set against the historic backdrop of St Philip’s Cathedral, the event transforms the square into a seasonal hub for visitors, workers, and families to enjoy. From handcrafted gifts to warming winter treats, it’s an accessible, high-quality experience that combines the atmosphere of a traditional market with the elegance of the Colmore Business District.
Visitors can explore an array of local crafts, artisan products, and independent food vendors, with plenty of opportunities to relax and enjoy the festive surroundings. The event also features live music and entertainment across selected dates, adding to the sense of community and celebration that defines Christmas in the city. Whether you’re meeting friends after work, enjoying a lunchtime wander, or planning a weekend visit, Cathedral Square offers something for everyone.
Open daily throughout the festive season, Christmas in Cathedral Square provides the perfect setting to experience Birmingham at its best — vibrant, welcoming, and full of Christmas spirit. Visit the official website for opening times, trader details, and event updates, and plan your trip to one of the city’s most popular seasonal destinations.
Colmore Christmas Light Switch On
Join us as we officially welcome the festive season back to the Colmore Business District. The Colmore Christmas Light Switch On returns this year, promising an evening that’s brighter and more magical than ever. From 17:30, Church Street will come alive with festive music, hot drinks, and cheerful faces as colleagues, residents, and visitors gather to celebrate the start of the season together.
Santa and friends will be on hand to spread cheer and pose for photos, while the official light switch-on takes place at 18:00, marking the moment the district transforms into a hub of Christmas spirit. Guests can enjoy the festivities until 19:30, with plenty of opportunities to mingle, take photos, and soak up the atmosphere.
This year’s celebration also features a few special touches: a warm welcome from celebrated local chef Glynn Purnell and members of the Colmore BID team, who will share a few words to mark the occasion. Goodie bags are available exclusively for Colmore BID business attendees — registration is required, and spaces are limited. Whether you’re attending with colleagues or simply stopping by on your way home, the Light Switch On is the perfect way to begin the festive season in true Colmore style.
Cathedral Choir Concert
On Friday 7 November 2025, Birmingham Cathedral will host its annual Cathedral Choir Concert – A Foretaste of Christmas, a free evening performance marking the opening of the Cathedral Christmas Market. Conducted by David Hardie and accompanied on the organ by Ashley Wagner, the Cathedral’s professional choir — comprising boys, girls, and lower voices — will perform a carefully curated programme that moves from the anticipation of Advent to the joy of Christmas.
The concert offers an hour of reflection and celebration through a blend of familiar carols and lesser-known choral works, performed in the beautiful surroundings of one of the city’s most historic buildings. Admission is by donation on the door, with proceeds supporting the Cathedral Music Fund. Whether you’re a regular visitor or simply looking for a peaceful and atmospheric start to the festive season, this performance provides the perfect opportunity to pause, listen, and welcome Christmas in song.
The Polar Express Train Ride
Climb aboard the Polar Express Train Ride and embark on a magical journey toward the North Pole — right from Birmingham. This immersive seasonal experience recreates the beloved tale, turning train carriages into theatrical settings filled with festive storytelling, music, and surprise moments. It’s more than a ride — it’s an experience designed for families and all ages to share in wonder, warmth, and Christmas spirit.
On board, expect a fully themed atmosphere: your conductor and staff in costume, interactive moments with characters, and a special hot chocolate and cookie service to keep spirits bright. The train slows or pauses at key scenes, allowing storytelling, music, and festive interludes to unfold around you. Each ticket gives you a journey through snow-dusted landscapes, immersive drama, and a chance to feel like you’re part of the story.
Whether you’re planning a family outing, a festive activity with friends, or looking for something special to mark the season, the Polar Express Train Ride delivers. It’s an enchanting event that complements Birmingham’s theatre, music, and light displays — and one you won’t want to miss as you explore the city’s immersive Christmas highlights this year.
Check availability and book here.
Storytime with Santa
Storytime with Santa brings festive storytelling to life in Birmingham this Christmas, offering families a warm and memorable way to celebrate the season. Hosted in a welcoming setting, each session invites children to gather round as Santa himself reads classic Christmas tales, blending gentle humour, festive spirit, and a little bit of magic. It’s an intimate, engaging event that captures the wonder of the season without the noise or rush — perfect for younger visitors and their families.
Each session lasts around 45 minutes and includes time for children to meet Santa, take photographs, and enjoy a shared storytime experience. Tickets are priced at £6.50 per child, with accompanying adults admitted free of charge. Spaces are limited and early booking is recommended, as this popular event often sells out in advance.
More than just a visit to Santa, Storytime with Santa offers a calmer, story-driven experience that’s ideal for families looking to enjoy the city’s Christmas calendar at a slower pace. Whether you’re adding it to a day of festive activities or making it a tradition of its own, it’s a simple, heartfelt way to make lasting memories this Christmas.
See full event details and booking information
Botanical Gardens Winter Light Trail
Step into a world of light and wonder this winter with Luminate at Birmingham Botanical Gardens, where immersive installations transform gardens into illuminated realms. As twilight descends, pathways glow with artful lighting, sculptural displays, and interactive experiences that elevate the landscape into something both familiar and fantastical. The gardens, already rich in flora and history, become a seasonal canvas — a place where visitors wander, linger, and see nature in a new, magical light.
Expect a stroll-through journey designed to delight all ages: light trails winding through trees and flowerbeds, glowing sculptures that respond to movement, and vantage points glowing with dramatic backlighting. The event’s curation aims to balance spectacle and subtlety — you’ll find moments of grandeur beside quiet, reflective spaces. Along the route, there may be ambient music or live performance elements that enhance the sensory experience without overwhelming it.
Whether you’re planning an evening walk, or an outing with friends or family, Luminate at the Botanical Gardens offers a striking alternative to indoor seasonal events. It complements theatre, concerts, or festivities elsewhere in the city, giving you a chance to breathe, reflect, and wander under light in a beautiful green setting. Be sure to check opening times and ticketing details ahead of your visit.
Book your tickets and find more information here.
Christmas Wreath Making Workshop at The Old Joint Stock with Ash Tree Floral Designs
Give your Christmas decorations a creative twist this winter at The Old Joint Stock Pub & Theatre, where Ash Tree Floral Designs hosts a series of festive Wreath Making Workshops between 21 November and 8 December 2025. Led by professional florist Ashley, founder of Ash Tree Floral Designs, each session blends creativity, laughter, and a touch of Christmas magic in one of Birmingham’s most atmospheric venues. Under her expert guidance, participants will craft a luxury wreath using seasonal foliage, natural textures, and decorative flourishes — the perfect balance of craft and celebration.
Expect an evening that feels both hands-on and restorative: the scent of evergreens, the rustle of ribbon, and the satisfaction of creating something beautifully personal. All materials are provided, and Ashley’s step-by-step tuition ensures that everyone — from total beginners to seasoned crafters — can enjoy the process in a relaxed, festive setting. Aprons and gardening gloves are recommended, as wreath making can get a little messy.
Whether you’re looking to begin the holidays creatively or searching for a mindful social activity, these workshops offer a warm and welcoming start to the season. You’ll leave with a completely original wreath to hang proudly on your front door — and perhaps a few new floristry skills too.
Sessions take place on 21 November, 24 November, 1 December, and 8 December, running from 7 pm to 9.30 pm. Spaces are limited, so early booking is recommended to avoid disappointment.
Find full details and book your place here.
Birmingham’s festive season offers countless ways to experience the city at its best — illuminated streets, lively squares, and welcoming spaces that invite everyone to take part in the celebration. From morning markets to evening light trails, the city is alive with moments of connection, creativity, and Christmas spirit. Whether you’re exploring with family, colleagues, or friends, these experiences showcase the warmth, energy, and community that define Birmingham at this time of year. Take time to explore, discover new traditions, and enjoy everything the city has to offer this festive season.