Copyright birminghammail
The Frankfurt Christmas Market begins on November 1 this year and many thousands of people are expected to flood into our city for joyful merrymaking on Victoria Square and along New Street. If you're planning your visit to town during the season for the festivities, there's a market opening a week later that should absolutely be on your list of things to do while you're here. The Christmas in Cathedral Square craft market runs from Friday, November 7 until Wednesday, December 24 (the same day the German market closes) but, unlike the Frankfurt version , this market is predominantly made up of independent sellers and local traders. Read more: Birmingham German Christmas Market 2025 opening dates, times and how to get there The market, set within Pigeon Park in the Colmore Business District, surrounds Birmingham Cathedral and traders are carefully selected so there's a good mix of different types vendors, selling gifts, food and drink, art and more. There are 43 trading locations this year, wooden chalets spread throughout the city centre's largest green space. Some vendors stick around for the whole duration while others just stay a week, meaning the market changes regularly throughout its six-and-a-half week run with handcrafted items and produce sourced or made locally given preference. The market has taken place annually since November 2021 and offers 'an alternative to the usual shopping experience'. It'll be open at 11am every day (except Sunday when the fun kicks off at 12pm) and runs until 9pm each day, with later shopping hours on Thursday, Friday and Saturdays when it stays open until 9:30pm. If you're visiting from the German Market or New Street Station, simply make a beeline for St Philip's Cathedral up Temple Street or Needless Alley - you can't miss it. Follow Colmore Row from Victoria Square and you'll land right there too or, if it's easier, get the train to Snow Hill and you'll be able to practically see the market from outside the station. If it helps, the address is Cathedral Square, Colmore Row, Birmingham, B3 2QB.
