Birmingham’s Christmas Markets Open for Business
- What: Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Cllr John Lines, and Cllr Volker Stein, from Frankfurt Council, officially open Birmingham's Christmas Markets
- Venue: Victoria Square, Birmingham City Centre
- Time: 5.30pm
- Date: Thursday 15 November
Festive frankfurters, hot Gluhwein and sweet pretzels return to the city this week as Birmingham's Christmas markets open for business.
Stretching for more than one mile from the Bullring all the way to the ICC in Centenary Square, Birmingham's world famous Frankfurt Christmas Market, and adjoining Christmas Craft Market, will feature 190 stalls.
The largest authentic German market in the world, outside Germany and Austria, the market attracts three million visitors from all over the UK and Europe, on average, and brings an associated spend of £90million.
Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Cllr John Lines, said: “It gives me tremendous pleasure to welcome back the Frankfurt Market to Birmingham for its twelfth year. This year's 38 day event will provide a vibrant festive centrepiece for all our visitors to enjoy our fantastic city and all that it has to offer.
“As well as bringing festive cheer, the markets bring huge financial benefits to the city. Our markets attract visitors from the wider region, the UK and Europe who spend money in our shops, restaurants and hotels. This adds to the overall economy of the city centre at a critical time of year for retailers and business.”
Cllr Volker Stein from Frankfurt City Council added - “I am delighted that the people of Birmingham, and visitors from all over Britain, have taken the market to their hearts. Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas Market shows how experiencing other cultures can genuinely enrich our lives and promote international understanding.”
Adjoining the Frankfurt Christmas Market, in Chamberlain and Centenary Squares, the Birmingham Christmas Craft Market will play host to craft and food stalls run by local businesses. New for this year will be a series of Pop-Up-Stalls in Centenary Square, ranging from Cath Kidson bags to fish and chips and the sausage of the Day. Also on offer throughout the event will be warming winter Pimms and the chance to try Christmas dinner in a Yorkshire pudding!
Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas Market and Christmas Craft Market are open from Thursday 15 November until Saturday 22 December from 10am - 9pm daily.
Download high resolution images here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/birminghamculture/sets/72157631954000452/
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