Create your ultimate festive season in Birmingham with our planner guide. Find all the top holiday events and activities. Whether you're rediscovering your hometown or visiting Birmingham for the first time, our guide is here to help you celebrate the season.
One of the most anticipated events is the Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market, where you can immerse yourself in festive lights, crafts, and delicious treats. The serene settings and seasonal decorations at Christmas at Birmingham Botanical Gardens offer a unique outdoor experience for nature lovers. And Ice Skate Birmingham is perfect for everyone looking for some frosty fun on the ice. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Birmingham
- Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market
- Christmas at Birmingham Botanical Gardens
- Ice Skate Birmingham
- Magic Lantern Festival
- Christmas in Cathedral Square
- Christmas at the Birmingham Hippodrome
- Christmas in the City
- Christmas at Blakesley Hall
- Christmas at Aston Hall
- Birmingham Royal Ballet's The Nutcracker
Birmingham Holiday Light Displays
Christmas at Birmingham Botanical Gardens
What to Expect:
Illuminated trail through diverse botanical landscapes
Description:
Birmingham Botanical Gardens transforms into a luminous winter spectacle. Meander through illuminated pathways that showcase the garden's diverse plant collections in a new light. Witness glasshouses aglow with carefully crafted light installations. You can warm up with a hot chocolate while admiring the Victorian-era gardens. The event pays homage to the gardens' 200-year history, blending horticultural heritage with contemporary light art.
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Christmas at Birmingham Botanical Gardens
Magic Lantern Festival
What to Expect:
Fusion of traditional Chinese lantern art with modern technology
Description:
The Magic Lantern Festival illuminates Birmingham with a dazzling fusion of ancient Chinese artistry and cutting-edge technology. Towering lantern sculptures, some reaching heights of 15 meters, depict scenes from nature, mythology, and popular culture. Witness intricate light shows choreographed to music. You can try your hand at traditional Chinese paper cutting. This event celebrates the 2,000-year-old Chinese tradition of lantern festivals while embracing contemporary light art techniques.
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Birmingham Holiday Markets and Shopping
Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Authentic German Christmas market experience in the heart of England
Description:
Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas Market transports visitors to the heart of Germany without leaving England. Stroll through rows of traditional wooden chalets offering genuine German crafts and delicacies. The aroma of bratwurst and glühwein fills the air as you explore. Try your hand at ice curling, a unique winter sport rarely found outside Germany. This market, the largest authentic German Christmas market outside Germany and Austria, has been a Birmingham tradition since 2001.
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Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market
Christmas in Cathedral Square
What to Expect:
Christmas market set against the backdrop of Birmingham Cathedral
Description:
Christmas in Cathedral Square offers a picturesque holiday experience in the shadow of Birmingham's historic cathedral. Local artisans and producers showcase their wares in charming wooden chalets. The event spotlights Birmingham's rich culinary scene with gourmet street food offerings. You can join a guided tour of the 18th-century cathedral, learning about its architectural significance. This market celebrates Birmingham's local talent while honoring the city's religious heritage.
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Birmingham Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Christmas at the Birmingham Hippodrome
What to Expect:
Diverse range of holiday performances in a historic theater
Description:
The Birmingham Hippodrome buzzes with holiday cheer, offering a diverse lineup of seasonal performances. From ballet to pantomime, the theater's stage comes alive with festive productions. The grand auditorium, with its ornate Edwardian architecture, provides a stunning backdrop for each show. You can enjoy a pre-show dinner at the Hippodrome's rooftop restaurant. This venue has been at the heart of Birmingham's cultural scene since 1899, hosting world-renowned performers and productions.
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Christmas at the Birmingham Hippodrome
Birmingham Royal Ballet's The Nutcracker
What to Expect:
World-renowned ballet company's interpretation of a classic holiday tale
Description:
The Birmingham Royal Ballet's production of The Nutcracker dazzles audiences with its exquisite choreography and stunning set designs. The company's interpretation of this classic tale features innovative staging and breathtaking costumes. Live orchestra performances elevate the experience, bringing Tchaikovsky's iconic score to life. You can attend a pre-show talk to gain insight into the production's creation. The Birmingham Royal Ballet, founded in 1946, has been a cornerstone of the city's cultural landscape for over 75 years.
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Birmingham Royal Ballet's The Nutcracker
Birmingham Other Holiday Activities
Ice Skate Birmingham
What to Expect:
Ice skating rink with a transparent roof offering views of the city skyline
Description:
Ice Skate Birmingham elevates the traditional winter activity with its unique transparent roof. Glide across the ice while gazing up at the twinkling city skyline. The rink's state-of-the-art refrigeration system ensures perfect ice conditions regardless of the weather. Take a spin on the UK's largest ice slide for an extra thrill. This event revives the centuries-old British tradition of winter ice skating, which dates back to the 12th century.
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Christmas in the City
What to Expect:
City-wide celebration encompassing multiple venues and attractions
Description:
Christmas in the City engulfs Birmingham in holiday spirit, transforming the entire urban landscape. Illuminated sculptures and art installations pop up in unexpected places throughout the city center. Street performers and carolers enliven the pedestrian areas with music and entertainment. You can embark on a festive treasure hunt, discovering hidden holiday gems across the city. This event showcases Birmingham's evolution from an industrial powerhouse to a vibrant cultural hub.
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Christmas at Blakesley Hall
What to Expect:
Tudor-era Christmas celebrations in a preserved 16th-century house
Description:
Blakesley Hall transports visitors to a Tudor Christmas, offering a glimpse into 16th-century holiday traditions. The timber-framed house is adorned with period-appropriate decorations, including fragrant greenery and handmade ornaments. Costumed interpreters bring the era to life, demonstrating Tudor crafts and customs. You can participate in a traditional Yule log ceremony. This event provides insight into the evolution of Christmas celebrations in England over the past 500 years.
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Christmas at Aston Hall
What to Expect:
Jacobean-era Christmas celebrations in a 17th-century mansion
Description:
Aston Hall revives the splendor of a Jacobean Christmas, immersing visitors in 17th-century holiday traditions. The grand mansion is bedecked with period-accurate decorations, including elaborate table settings and handcrafted ornaments. The scent of mulled wine and roasted chestnuts wafts through the halls. You can join a candlelit tour, exploring the mansion's rich history. This event offers a unique perspective on Christmas celebrations during the English Civil War period.
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Santa's Winter Wonderland at the NEC
What to Expect:
Immersive North Pole experience with interactive elements
Description:
Santa's Winter Wonderland at the NEC transports visitors to a bustling North Pole village. Life-sized animatronic polar bears and penguins create a lively Arctic atmosphere. Interactive workshops allow children to assist Santa's elves in toy-making. You can embark on a virtual sleigh ride, soaring over snowy landscapes. This event utilizes cutting-edge technology to create an immersive experience, blending traditional holiday elements with modern entertainment techniques.
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Santa's Winter Wonderland at the NEC
Nearby Events
Winter Wonderland at Tamworth Snowdome (Tamworth)
What to Expect:
Real snow experience in an indoor winter sports facility
Description:
Tamworth Snowdome offers a genuine winter experience, regardless of the weather outside. The facility boasts real snow slopes for skiing and snowboarding, maintained at perfect conditions year-round. Tubing runs provide thrills for all ages. You can try your hand at ice skating on the Olympic-sized rink. This venue, which opened in 1994, was the UK's first full-sized real snow slope, pioneering indoor winter sports in the country.
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Winter Wonderland at Tamworth Snowdome
The Polar Express Train Ride at Telford Steam Railway (Telford)
What to Expect:
Immersive train journey based on the beloved children's book
Description:
The Polar Express Train Ride at Telford Steam Railway brings the classic children's story to life. Passengers board a vintage steam train, embarking on a journey to the North Pole. Actors in costume recreate scenes from the book, engaging passengers in the narrative. The whistle of the steam engine adds to the nostalgic atmosphere. You can sip on hot chocolate served by dancing chefs. This event combines literary appreciation with the rich history of British steam railways.
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The Polar Express Train Ride at Telford Steam Railway
Christmas at Alton Towers (Alton)
What to Expect:
Holiday celebrations in a theme park set within historic grounds
Description:
Alton Towers infuses its thrilling rides with holiday cheer, creating a unique fusion of adrenaline and festive spirit. The park's historic gardens transform into a twinkling wonderland of lights. Special holiday-themed shows and attractions pop up throughout the grounds. You can explore the ruins of the old Alton Towers stately home, now adorned with seasonal decorations. This event marries the excitement of a modern theme park with the rich history of the 8th-century estate it occupies.
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Enchanted Weston (Stafford)
What to Expect:
Illuminated trail through a 1,000-acre historic parkland
Description:
Enchanted Weston illuminates the expansive grounds of Weston Park with a dazzling light trail. Ancient trees and landscaped gardens are transformed by artistic light installations and projections. The event showcases the park's natural beauty in a new light, highlighting its centuries-old trees and sweeping vistas. You can warm up by one of the fire pits scattered along the trail. This illuminated walk celebrates the rich history of Weston Park, which dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086.