Lord Mayor to open Birmingham Christmas Markets
Birmingham’s famous Christmas Markets return to the city for five weeks from Thursday, 13 November.
Consisting of both the Frankfurt Christmas Market and the Christmas Craft Market, the Birmingham Christmas Markets offer visitors the chance to sample an array of delicacies and delights from around the world.
Open between 10am and 9pm every day until Monday, 22 December, the markets span approximately a mile through the city centre, including Victoria, Chamberlain and Centenary Squares, as well as New Street and Centenary Way. Last year’s event had almost 200 stalls, attracting nearly five million visitors from all over the country and beyond.
The Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Cllr Shafique Shah, will officially open the Christmas Markets on the following dates and times:
Thursday, 13 November at 5.30pm - Frankfurt Market, Victoria Square
Saturday, 15 November at midday - Craft Market, Ice Rink and Big Wheel, Centenary Square
The Lord Mayor said: “I am absolutely delighted to welcome the Christmas Markets back to Birmingham.
“This is always one of the most anticipated events in Birmingham’s calendar, drawing millions of visitors to our city each year. With a vast array of gifts and food on offer, as well as the ice rink and big wheel, there is truly something for everyone.”
The Frankfurt Christmas Market, located in Victoria Square and New Street, is firmly established as a flagship event for the festive season, growing in both size and popularity to become the largest authentic German market outside of Germany and Austria.
Organised by Birmingham City Council in partnership with Frankfurt Tourism and Congress, the Frankfurt Market offers a wide range of products, including Christmas decorations, handcrafted jewellery, carved wooden toys, sausages, beer and pretzels.
The Christmas Craft Market will be situated in Centenary Square, Centenary Way and Chamberlain Square, offering handmade crafts, soaps and candles by local artisans, as well as a wide range of unique and quirky items imported from around the world.
Visitors can also enjoy traditional mouth-watering treats, including locally produced traditional ham roasts with homemade chutneys and mustards, hot pudding stalls, traditional Christmas dinners, mulled cider, winter Pimms and traditional real ales.
Complementing the Craft Market, Centenary Square will also see the return of the popular ice rink and big wheel, which will both continue until Sunday, 4 January, 2015, from 10am to 9pm. Ice rink sessions last an hour and are on the hour, with tickets available from www.iceskatebirmingham.co.uk.
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