Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas Market 2026 runs from Thursday 5 November to Thursday 24 December on Victoria Square and New Street, according to the organiser. The organiser describes the market as free to enter and open seven days a week, and as the largest authentic German Christmas market outside Germany and Austria.
Key takeaways
- Open from Thursday 5 November to Thursday 24 December 2026, confirmed by the organiser.
- Victoria Square and New Street, in the city centre. Free entry, seven days a week.
- The 2025 market was the 25th, according to Birmingham City Council, so 2026 is the 26th year.
- Drinks come with a deposit on the mug or glass, returnable at any drinks stall. The organiser lists £5 for mugs and glasses and £7 for steins at 2024 rates.
- Metro Park & Ride is free to park at, and Great Charles Street car park is £6.00 all day at weekends, according to the council.
When is the Frankfurt Christmas Market 2026?
| What the organiser has published | Source | |
|---|---|---|
| Dates | Thursday 5 November to Thursday 24 December 2026 | Organiser |
| Location | Victoria Square and New Street | Organiser |
| Days | Seven days a week | Organiser FAQs |
| Opening hours | Not yet published for 2026 | Check the organiser's page nearer the time |
| Entry | Free, no ticket needed | Organiser FAQs |
| Cup deposits | £5 for mugs and glasses, £7 for steins, at the rates the organiser lists for 2024 | Organiser FAQs |
What if the dates change?
Everything on this page comes from the organiser's own announcements on the date shown at the top. If the organiser moves or cancels anything, their page is the final word, which is why every row links to it.
Where is Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas Market?
On Victoria Square and New Street, according to the organiser, with the stalls running from the square down the pedestrianised street. Birmingham City Council states that the 2025 market was the 25th consecutive year of the partnership with Frankfurt, and that the Big Wheel and ice rink were in Centenary Square that year. The organiser hasn't published 2026 opening hours yet, and this page will add them when it does.
Can you take a dog, and do stalls take cash?
The organiser's FAQs state that dogs are welcome on a lead at all times, and that the market is very busy on Friday and Saturday evenings, with weekdays and Sunday evenings quieter. The same FAQs state that all stalls accept cash and that card payment is available throughout.
Where can you park for the Frankfurt Christmas Market?
From our Birmingham parking guide, with prices from the council and operators:
| Option | What it costs | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Metro Park & Ride | Free parking, tram fare only | Over 700 spaces at five tram stops, according to West Midlands Metro |
| Great Charles Street | £6.00 all day until midnight on Saturdays and Sundays | No height limit. Weekday prices differ |
| Millennium Point | £13.90 for up to 24 hours | 959 spaces, 12 EV bays, inside the Clean Air Zone |
The full guide has the map, the on-street prices and the height limits: parking in Birmingham.
Own a home in Birmingham? Christmas market weekends mean full houses, late arrivals and the 10pm "we can't find the key safe" call. A local manager from the Houst network takes those calls for you, and Guestwise manages short lets from 12% + VAT. See Airbnb management in Birmingham.
Frequently asked questions
When is Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas Market 2026?
From Thursday 5 November to Thursday 24 December 2026, according to the organiser.
Where is the Birmingham German Market?
Victoria Square and New Street, in the city centre.
Is the Birmingham Christmas Market free?
Yes. The organiser states no ticket is needed.
What are the opening hours?
The organiser hasn't published 2026 hours yet. This page will be updated when they are.
How does the mug deposit work?
The organiser states that each drink comes with a deposit on the cup or glass and a green token, returnable at any drinks stall. Keeping the mug forfeits the deposit.
Can I bring my dog?
Yes, on a lead at all times, according to the organiser, which adds that weekend evenings may be too busy for dogs.
Sources
Dates, locations and prices come from the linked organiser, council and operator pages and can change. Check the organiser's page before you travel.