The German Frankfurt Christmas Market comes to Victoria Square and New Street each year and boosts the local economy.

Birmingham City Council estimates that the Christmas market brings an ‘extra £85 million’ to Birmingham’s economy, with over ‘5.5 million visiting each year.’ The Christmas market is open for visitors every day 10 am-9 pm up until the 23rd December 2019.

The market increases the number of tourists in the area, providing them with a full day of activities for all ages. These tourists, as well as the workers at the German Christmas Market, then go on to stay in nearby hotels, boosting the local hospitality sector.

A representative from the Edgbaston Park Hotel in Birmingham told Redbrick that ‘the hotel offers a free car park which attracts guests as it is away from the hustle and bustle of Birmingham.’ They went on to comment, ‘we have already had a few couples staying with us due to the German Christmas Market.’

The Christmas Market is a festive tradition to Birmingham and has been coming to Birmingham since 1997. It offers a variety of food which entices shoppers and visitors during the cold nights. 

The market is also accompanied by further festive activities including an ice-skating rink, increasing tourists into Birmingham over the festive season. Big 7 Travel told Birmingham Live that ‘the Christmas Market was recently voted the 2nd Best Christmas Market in the World.’

The Christmas Market has a strong student appeal as many students go there to purchase Christmas presents for friends and family back home.

Laura Bull, second-year Politics and International Relations Student at the University of Birmingham, told Redbrick, ‘the Christmas market is great for finding gifts and secret Santa presents […] there’s some amazing pancakes and hot chocolate as well.’