Best Christmas Events in Birmingham 2024

Experience the magic of Christmas in Birmingham!

With the UK’s largest German market, free festive fun for kids at Resorts World, light trails, Christmas plays and magical carol concerts among the festive activities, Birmingham is a amazing place to be at Christmas.

Whether you’re coming with the kids, want activites on a budget or are happy to splurge – there is something for everyone.

Read on for our guide of the best things to do in Birmingham this Christmas

Soak up the Atmosphere at Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market

Let’s begin with the most famous offering at Birmingham during December and that is Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market.

It’s one of the largest markets outside German and Austria and has been a tradition in the city since 2001.

Browse over 100 stalls featuring German crafts, gifts, decorations, and food. Try German delicacies including bratwurst, pretzels, stollen, weissbier (wheat beer), and glühwein (mulled wine).

The market is often accompanied by live music, carol singers, and other festive entertainment.

The market runs from 1st November to 24th December 2024. Visit the Frankfurt Christmas market website for more information.

Glide onto Ice Skate Birmingham

Get your skates and glide onto the ice at Ice Skate Birmingham. Located in Centenary Square this large ice rink is covered so you can skate whatever the weather.

It’s a fabulous activity for all ages with snow aids for the youngest of users and it’s wheelchair friendly too.

It’s open from 1st November to 5th January 2024.

Ride the Big Wheel

Photo credit : Birmingham Big Wheel / Facebook.

Enjoy the Christmassy views of the Birmingham while riding high on the big wheel. See Birmingham like you’ve never seen it before with views of Birmingham Library, Town Hall and the German market.

You can’t book tickets online. Just turn up and pay as you go.

Listen and Sing Along to a Carol Concert at St Philip’s Cathedral

Immersive yourself in the true meaning of Christmas at St Philip’s Catherdral.

Throughout December there are several amazing carol concerts taking place.

Starting on 1st December there is an advent carol service between 4pm and 5.15pm.

Throughout the rest of December there are Candlelight Christmas events which include music from Love Actually, Home Alone and more as well as Christmas classics.

On 12th December between 3pm and 4pm there is the Birmingham Univeristy carol event. Listen to traditional readings and carols led by musicians from Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. There are minced pies and mulled wine after the service.

On the 17th December join in the recording of BBC WM’s carol concert.

There are also children’s carol service on 21st December.

Find out more at St. Philip’s Cathedral.

Christmas in Cathedral Square

Cathedral Square in front of St Philip’s cathedral becomes home to a Christmas market in November and December.

Browse stalls with crafts, ornaments and gifts from local vendors. Pop up food and drink vendors will satisfy any cravings. In addtion, there’s music from local people during the course of the event.

Find out more at Christmas in Cathedral Square

The Polar Express Train Ride is back for 2024!

Depart from Birmingham Moor Street and head to the “North Pole”, where you will see Santa.

This is a great experience for families with kids who want to experience the magic of Santa and enjoy a steam train ride.

Watch as actors bring the Polar Express movie to life. See dancing chefs, the conductor, and other characters from this Christmassy film.

Follow the light trail at Luminate Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Light trails are sure to get you in the festive mood.

This year, Birmingham Botanical Gardens are hosting Luminate.

Wander around the mile of light trail in this beautiful setting. Stunning lights and clever light play set to music create a magical atmosphere you won’t forget. There will be catering and hot drinks available at the start, and toasted marshmallows and mulled wine about half way around the trail.

The trail runs from 29th November to 1st January.

Other festive events include wreath making on 26th November and making Christmas decorations on 27th November.

Winter Funland at the NEC

If you’re looking for maximum family fun, Winter Wonderland at the NEC is the place to visit.

Enjoy 4 hours of unlimited fun fair rides, ice skating, an extreme motor bike show and a circus show – all included in one ticket price.

There’s plenty of fun productions happening at The Hippodrome over the festive period.

Watch the Nutcracker ballet which is showing from 22nd November to 14th December.

The Jingleclaw is the perfect first musical for kids aged 3 plus and is showing from Friday 13th December to Saturday 4th January.

The Hippodrome is also home to the biggest panto in the Midlands. This year This Morning’s Alison Hammond stars alongside Matt Slack and Danny Mac in the tale of  Peter Pan. It runs from 21st December to 2nd Feb. Pick up your panto tickets here.

Christmas Grotto and Festive Fun at West Midlands Police Museum

Head to West Midlands Police Museum on 14th and 15th December for a range of Christmassy activities. There’s a special visit with Father Christmas in his grotto, where every child will receive a gift.

Wander through the lock-up on a family-friendly trail to uncover the antics of Santa’s elves. Write a letter to Father Christmas, and take part in a fun holiday craft activity.

Every ticket comes with a hot chocolate.

Find out more at West Midlands Police Museum

Induldge in Christmas Themed Afternoon Tea

Sit back and relax with a festive afternoon tea. There are plenty of places located in Birmingham which have a themed offering during December. Here are a few to check out:

Brown’s Restaurant

Come together over a glass of champagne or a cocktail. Induldge in a delectable selection of savouries, warm scones, mini cakes and puddings, while you soak up a magical festive atmosphere. Find out more at Brown’s.

Malmaison

Delve into delish afternoon tea classics with a Mal twist, spruced up with a bit of festive sparkle. To top things off there’s also glass of Prosecco! Book your tea at Malmaison, Birmingham.

Cadbury World

Enjoy a festive afternoon tea and entry to Cadbury World! There’s two different options of afternoon tea. One is particularly aimed for young kids with Cadbury characters and a chance to see Santa in a live stage show.

Other places to enjoy a festive afternoon tea include the Westmead Hotel, Hopwood, the Park Regis hotel and Hotel du Vin. 

Mark Gatiss retelling of Dickens’ classic ghost story at the Rep in Birmingham is set to show between Thursday 14th November to 5th January.

The tale follows Ebenezer Scrooge, who is visited on Christmas Eve by the ghost of his former business partner, Marley. Carrying chains as a punishment for his lifetime of greed, Marley warns Scrooge to amend his stingy ways. Before Scrooge can change his path, however, three more spirits are set to visit him, each with a lesson to impart.

Book your tickets here.

Watch Elf the Musical at Resorts World

Elf the Musical is coming to Resorts World Birmingham between Friday 20th December and Sunday 22nd December.

Featuring Santa’s flying sleigh, an audience snowball fight, a giant candy cane journey from the North Pole, amongst many spectacular scenes all set against video-film backdrops on a large LED screen.

Find out more and book tickets!

Follow the free 2024 Reindeer Trail in Birmingham from November 6 through January 6!

Explore the trail with a special map you can download here. Discover nine reindeer sculptures, which include Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, and Rudolph.

The sculptures are in popular locations such as the Great Western Arcade, Grand Central, Selfridges, the Frankfurt Christmas Market, and the Ice Skate Birmingham area. So you can enjoy all the magice of festive Birmingham while completing the trail.

Each sculpture has a QR code that allows participants to make
donations in support of Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity.

Alongside the trail, there is a downloadable story called Brum’s Reindeer Rescue, written by local author Ruth Millington, with illustrations by Rachel Suzanne, which is great for kids.

Watch a Christmas Movie with a Live Orchestra

Head to the Town Hall or the Symphony Hall where there are a variety of Christmas movies showing with a live orchestra.

Choose between:
Home Alone, Love Actually, The Holidayor The Snowman

Free Festive Fun at Resorts World

From late November through December, there’s free Christmas fun for kids on weekends in the atrium.

There’s different activities on different days. They include Christmas workshops led by Bonkas,  making reindeer food, writing letters to Father Christmas, and creating holiday crafts. There will be special appearances by popular characters like Elsa, Anna, Olaf, and life-sized animatronic figures such as Bjorn the polar bear and Nena the reindeer. Additionally, Theatre Train Children’s Choir will perform Christmas classics, and walking, talking Christmas trees and gliding Toy Soldiers will make appearances. Check the Christmas schedule to see what’s happening on what day.

In addition, on every event day there’s a  Christmas hunt. Explore resorts world to find the naughty elves. Hunt sheets can be collected from event staff in the atrium between 11am and 4pm.

Browse a Festive Market at the Coffin Works Museum

Head to the courtyard of the Coffin Works Museum for a festive market on Sunday, 1st December!

Browse unique gifts and treats from local makers, artists, and crafters.

Entry to the market is free, and there’s no need to book in advance—simply drop by on the day.

On the same day, there will be guided tours of the Coffin Works Museum every hour from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Normally £10 per person, the  award-winning tours are discounted by 25% for this special event, making it just £7.50 per person. Spaces are limited so it’s worth prebooking to secure your place.

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