14 things to do in Birmingham this Christmas

Your ultimate festive guide to celebrating the holiday season in Birmingham❄️

Birmingham transforms into a dazzling winter wonderland as soon as the festive season rolls around, offering a fantastic mix of traditional markets, spectacular shows and magical family experiences. Whether you are looking for the perfect spot to sip mulled wine or a mesmerising light trail to explore with the kids, the UK’s ‘Second City’ has it all.

If you are putting together your winter itinerary, you have come to the right place. Grab a hot chocolate, get comfortable and let’s explore 14 incredible things to do in Birmingham this Christmas!

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1. Glide around Ice Skate Birmingham and ride the Big Wheel

Every winter, Centenary Square is completely transformed with the arrival of Ice Skate Birmingham. This enormous, covered ice rink is beautifully illuminated for the festive season. Strap on your skates and glide across the ice, regardless of the unpredictable British winter weather! It welcomes skaters of all abilities, making it a brilliant, energetic activity for families, couples and friends alike.

And right next to the rink sits the iconic Big Wheel. Once you have finished showing off your moves on the ice, take a ride up into the sky for spectacular, panoramic views of the city centre’s sparkling Christmas lights. Afterwards, you can warm up in the neighbouring Ice Lounge with a well-deserved hot chocolate or a festive tipple.

2. Feast at the Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market

It is impossible to talk about Christmas in Birmingham without mentioning the world-famous Frankfurt Christmas Market. Taking over Victoria Square and New Street, this festive market is the largest authentic German Christmas market outside of Germany and Austria, and it serves as the vibrant, bustling epicentre of the city’s holiday celebrations.

Wander past the dozens of traditional wooden chalets to pick up beautiful glass baubles and wooden toys, but the real showstopper is the food and drink. Grab a half-metre bratwurst, sip on a warming mug of glühwein or a crisp weissbier and enjoy the cheerful atmosphere while listening to the singing moose!

3. Explore the Birmingham Botanical Gardens Luminate Trail

For a truly mesmerising evening, head over to Edgbaston to experience the Luminate Trail at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. As darkness falls, these historic and beautiful gardens are transformed into a spectacular, mile-long glowing wonderland.

You’ll wander through captivating light installations, walk beneath sparkling archways and admire the trees bathed in vibrant, shifting colours, all set to an enchanting ambient soundtrack. Along the route, there are perfect stopping points to toast marshmallows over fire pits, making it a peaceful and deeply magical winter experience.

4. Experience the thrills of Winter Funland at the NEC

If you are looking for an action-packed family day out, Winter Funland at the NEC is the UK’s largest indoor funfair. Because it is entirely undercover, it guarantees a brilliant festive experience completely shielded from the freezing rain or snow, taking all the stress out of planning a winter family outing.

Your entrance ticket covers everything inside, meaning the kids can enjoy unlimited rides on the massive funfair attractions, glide around the enormous indoor ice rink and sit down to watch a spectacular festive circus show. It is four hours of pure, unadulterated Christmas joy that will leave the little ones completely exhausted in the best way possible.

5. Watch Peter Pan & The Snowman at the Birmingham Rep

There is nothing quite like a trip to the theatre to make the season feel special. And the Birmingham Rep consistently delivers incredible holiday magic. This year, they are treating audiences to sensational stage adaptations of beloved classics like Peter Pan and The Snowman, bringing these timeless stories to life with incredible sets and heartwarming performances.

Whether you are watching Peter Pan fly across the stage or getting misty-eyed as the Snowman takes flight, these productions offer world-class storytelling right in the heart of the city. It is a wonderfully cosy way to spend a chilly afternoon, immersing yourself in a bit of theatrical wonder.

6. Board The Polar Express Train Ride

For a family experience that feels genuinely magical, book your golden tickets for The Polar Express Train Ride. Departing from Birmingham Moor Street, this incredibly immersive theatrical recreation of the beloved animated movie takes place on a real, moving steam train.

Passengers are highly encouraged to turn up in their cosiest pyjamas, just like the film. During the journey, dancing chefs will serve you hot chocolate and cookies, the conductor will punch your tickets and Santa himself will hop aboard to hand out the first gift of Christmas – a silver sleigh bell.

7. Shop local at Christmas at Saint Paul's Market

If you want to step away from the massive crowds of the city centre, head over to the historic Jewellery Quarter for Christmas at Saint Paul’s Market. Set in the picturesque, tree-lined Saint Paul’s Square, this market offers a slightly more relaxed, community-focused festive vibe.

Here, the focus is heavily on independent makers and local Midlands artisans. It is the perfect place to browse for unique, bespoke gifts, handcrafted jewellery and fantastic local street food, all while supporting small businesses in one of Birmingham’s most charming neighbourhoods.

8. See A Christmas Carol at The Crescent Theatre

For a dose of traditional holiday storytelling, secure some tickets to see A Christmas Carol at The Crescent Theatre in Brindleyplace. This fantastic local venue brings Charles Dickens’ ultimate Christmas tale to the stage with a brilliant mix of spooky atmosphere, emotional depth, and festive joy.

Watching Ebenezer Scrooge be visited by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come is a timeless tradition that never fails to spark the holiday spirit. The Crescent’s intimate setting perfectly transports you to Victorian London, delivering a powerful and heartwarming theatrical experience.

9. Enjoy Live in Concert: Home Alone at the Symphony Hall

Take your festive movie night to a whole new level and experience Home Alone Live in Concert. Hosted at the spectacular Symphony Hall, this event allows you to watch the classic 90s Christmas movie on a massive HD screen while a full, live symphony orchestra plays John Williams’ iconic, mischievous score right below it.

Hearing the sweeping, magical music performed live by dozens of world-class musicians adds an incredible layer of emotion and excitement to the film. It is a wildly nostalgic and beautifully impressive way to experience the antics of Kevin McCallister.

10. Sample festive treats at the Good Food Show Winter at the NEC

If your favourite part of the holidays is the food, the Good Food Show Winter at the NEC is your absolute paradise. This massive exhibition is packed to the rafters with artisan food producers, incredible seasonal ingredients and top-tier culinary inspiration.

You can spend the entire day wandering the aisles, sampling luxury cheeses, festive chutneys and rich chocolates to stock your Christmas pantry. With live cooking demonstrations from celebrity chefs, you might even pick up some brilliant new recipes to impress your family during Christmas dinner.

11. Be enchanted by the Nutcracker at the Birmingham Hippodrome

Seeing the Birmingham Royal Ballet perform The Nutcracker at the Birmingham Hippodrome is a quintessential Midlands Christmas tradition. This world-class production is widely acclaimed, featuring breathtaking sets, gorgeous costumes and some of the country’s finest ballet dancers.

From the moment the curtain rises and Tchaikovsky’s legendary score begins to play, you’ll be transported to a magical world of dancing snowflakes, the Sugar Plum Fairy and giant Christmas trees. It is a deeply elegant and romantic evening out that captures the purest magic of Christmas.

12. Explore Christmas in Cathedral Square

While the Frankfurt Market gets most of the spotlight, Christmas in Cathedral Square, often affectionately known as Pigeon Park, is a beloved alternative right in the city centre. Set around the beautiful grounds of St Philip’s Cathedral, this market operates in partnership with local businesses to highlight the very best of Birmingham’s independent vendors.

It is a fantastic spot to pick up quirky, locally made gifts, art and crafts that you won’t find anywhere else. With plenty of fantastic local food pop-ups and a cosy pub area for a festive drink, it is a charming spot to soak up the winter atmosphere.

13. Dine along with Elf at Taste Film

For a unique and hilarious night out, book a ticket for Taste Film’s immersive screening of Elf. This is not your average cinema trip; it is a meticulously timed dining experience where you are served a unique multi-course menu that directly matches the iconic scenes playing out on the screen.

Every dish and cocktail is themed around Buddy the Elf’s adventures, meaning you get to eat, drink and laugh along with the movie in real time. It is a brilliantly fun, creative and delicious way to celebrate one of the greatest modern Christmas movies ever made.

14. Party at Christmas at Alfresco at Alfred Works

And finally, looking for a modern, alternative way to celebrate the season with friends? Head down to Digbeth for Christmas at Alfresco at Alfred Works. This trendy, warehouse-style venue brings serious industrial cool to the holidays, offering a much more relaxed, party-focused vibe than the traditional markets.

Expect fantastic resident DJs spinning great tracks, an incredible lineup of independent street food traders and plenty of creative winter cocktails. With its vibrant atmosphere and edgy setting, it is the ultimate spot for a lively festive night out or a brilliantly unconventional Christmas party.