Birmingham Christmas market

Abbafan1972

I live in Birmingham and I have been to the German market nearly every year it's been here.

I went on Thursday night after work and it is exactly the same every year. Repeated stalls as you walk up and down and overpriced, but it has a nice atmosphere. The doughnuts are lovely but they're about £1.50 each if I remember right. I agree about the stollen cake, it's really expensive at the German Market and we get ours from Costco, where it's cheaper and a much bigger size.

Also in recent years we have had the added extra of chuggers along New Street so that is nice, (not!). :mad:

charlieann

I'm local and would agree a trip for just the market you may be disappointed.
But there is plenty of other places to visit in brum that you can combine your visit with. There is currently a photorealism exhibit on at the art gallery & museum.

vixarooni

I wouldn't make a special trip for it, it was pretty unforgettable.

DUKE

I've been to the market twice & it's cheaper than going to Germany, although I'd prefer Germany I'm taking my aunt next week when she arrives from NZ. It's an absolutely fantastic atmosphere & even gets scrooges like me in the mood for Crimbo, I'd definitely go even if it's just to look. If you can get there early it wont be so busy, also if you're thinking of buying stollen or any food stuffs like that it's cheaper in Lidl. Oh & as a moneysaver I'm going for the cheap Christmas meal in Wethers. Enjoy!

marywb

the main market I agree is just different stalls further up New Street into Chamberlain Square, however there is a fabulous carosuel and just opposite the Museum and Art Gallery are more crafty stalls. If you then continue through Paradise Forum there are more stalls all the way to the new library and the ice-skating rink and the big wheel.

I love the market, yes it can be expensive but as someone said it is a lovely festive atmosphere.

You can also make a weekend of it as Birmingham has lots to offer in terms of theatre, comedy and many fabulous restaurants.

prettyflamingo

i can highly recommend the manchester ones, lots of variety (some stalls are repeated in the main square but there are markets down lots of different streets with different themes). manchester is a great city to visit too

Horace

One of my chums went to the German Market in Brum on Saturday she said it was hell as you couldn't really see the stalls because you were just pulled along by the crowd.

The police are out in full force too not only in high vis gear but also in plain clothes because pickpocketing is rife and earlier this week there was an armed robbery with some stallholders attacked as they returned to their cars.

I do agree that the atmosphere is festive but not so good when you have to keep an eye on everything to ensure that you are not targeted by pickpockets or worse.

mojod

I can highly recommend the one in Millenium Square, Leeds. Lots of the usual overpriced stuff, but a lot of unusual things too, loads of different food, massive beer keller with live music and seating for hundreds, fair ground rides and a big ice rink.

Live in Liverpool now and was really disappointed by the one here. tempted to pop over to Leeds for a weekend!

dinolola

I've just returned home from visiting the Frankfurt Market in Birmingham today. Although it was a nice experience to walk around I have to say I'm a little deflated. It seems there are several types of stall all repeated and prices for the same items on different stalls seems to be fixed. It was like having deja vu every 3 minutes. Also, wow, talk about expensive! I'm not a Scrooge by any stretch of the imagination but the prices on pretty much everything were really high. My friend pointed out that the same authentic German food items can be bought for a fraction of the price at Aldi! It's worth a visit just for the experience but unless you don't mind being ripped off it's not a fantastic shopping experience.