With the festive season upon us, there is still time to attend a number of amazing Christmas events in and around Birmingham this year for you and the family. Here’s a quick run down of some of the local Christmas events picked by the Quick Find team:
Birmingham Christmas Market
A firm favourite for families and revellers alike, Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market runs from 1st November to 24th December this year. Packed with glistening stalls and full of festive cheers, it’s a great occasion to soak up the atmosphere and wander around Birmingham, the stalls on Victoria Square and along New Street offer something for everyone. You may already know it’s the largest German Christmas market outside of Germany and Austria and it certainly marks the coming of Christmas for many local residents and visitors to the city from across the UK and Europe.
Big Wheel and Ice Skate Rink
Not too far from the Christmas market is Birmingham’s very own big wheel, giving you the opportunity to enjoy fantastic views of Birmingham, and don’t miss out on the fantastic undercover ice rink with 600 square metres of real ice! Starting on 1st November 2024 and running all the way through to 5th January 2025. You’ve got plenty of opportunity to glide on the ice, then experience the city from up high. Situated at Centenary Square you will be surrounded by historic buildings, great restaurants and buzzing venues. Open 10:00am to 10:00pm. A great way to celebrate over the Christmas season with friends and family!
Black Country Museum Christmas Events
The Black Country Museum in Dudley is a fascinating look back into the history of the Black Country featuring authentic buildings, a school, old style shops and even a pub! Their Christmas events throughout December are certainly not to be missed and they include Santa hunts, gift experiences with elves, and Christmas carols. 2024’s Christmas event is GLAD TIDINGS with costumed characters to meet and street entertainers to watch, experience a heart-warming, magical night that everyone will enjoy. Friday and Saturday evenings from 13th December to 21st December, plus Sunday 22nd and Monday 23rd December. Don’t miss out on the SANTA HUNTS! Step up and join our elves to get Santa ready for the big day. Book early to avoid disappointment as places are limited.
Aston Villa Christmas Party in the Park
Book a table at Winter Wonderland Christmas Party at Aston Villa Football Club, throughout November & December as you’re transport you to an unforgettable Christmas celebration at Villa Park. So round-up your friends, family or work colleagues and join us.
Christmas at Cadbury World
If you love a Chocolatey-Christmas then you simply cannot miss Cadbury World! Weekends from 23rd November through to 22nd December plus 23rd and 24th December. One for those with a sweet-tooth, the Christmas celebrations at Cadbury World include an exclusive pantomime, a Santa stage show, discover the magic behind how Santa makes his sleigh fly, and the secret way he gets all of your presents into his sack in time for Christmas Eve. He will also be joined by his trusty elf, Jingle, who will be full of festive fun, cheer and laughter, with a chocolatey treat for children too!
Drayton Manor Theme Park Magical Christmas
If you love rides and rollercoasters then Drayton Manor theme park near Tamworth is the place to be this Christmas. Packed full of festive family fun, the heart of the theme park will be decked with trees, lights and so much more creating the perfect Christmas Wonderland. Enjoy your favourite rides in Thomas Land (and a few bonus rides as a festive treat!), stroll through the zoo and, brand new for 2024: Thomas’ Hot Chocolate Express, Rusty and Dusty’s Hot Chocolate Factory and Celebration Square – sparkling with a special Christmas glow and filled with festive treats, warming fire pits, live music and entertainment. And of course, no visit would be complete without a meet and greet with Father Christmas at Santa’s Enchanted Christmas Grotto! All on selected dates between 23rd November – 24th December this year. Don’t forget to buy your tickets before you go so you don’t miss out!
Birmingham Hippodrome
Head to the main stage for this years panto of Peter Pan at The Hippodrome, with tickets still available from 26th December to 2nd January. Birmingham’s own Alison Hammond returns this year leading the cast as The Magical Mermaid! with award-winning comic Matt Slack, who returns for an eleventh season as Smee, star of stage and screen Danny Mac as Captain Hook, resident dame Andrew Ryan and Billie-Kay who returns for a second year as Tink! Always a great way to get the family together!
Birmingham’s Christmas Reindeer Trail
Santa’s Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and, of course, Rudolph will be visiting Birmingham this Christmas as part of a magical sculpture trail, brought to the city centre by Central BID.
Download the special map to locate all nine city centre locations, where families can track down the reindeer for selfies and to support Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity at the same time.
The colourful reindeer will be in on display in locations such as Great Western Arcade, Piccadilly Arcade, Christmas in Cathedral Square Market, Selfridges, Grand Central, the Frankfurt Christmas Market, Ice Skate Birmingham, Corporation Street and at The Mailbox. Painted by artists from across the Midlands and Birmingham-based children’s author Ruth Millington has written a magical story to go alongside the reindeer trail for families to download from the Central BID.
Launched on 6th November 2024 and continues throughout the festive period until 6 January 2025.
The Rep
For a more ghosty Christmas, head on over to The Rep for Mark Gatiss’s acclaimed retelling of Charles Dickens’ winter ghost story. Filled with Dickensian, spine-tingling special effects, prepare to be frightened and delighted in equal measure as you enter the supernatural Victorian world of A CHRISTMAS CAROL: A GHOST STORY.
Running from 14th Nov 2024 through the festive season to 5th Jan 2025..a great festive experience!