Pretzels, pints and prezzies: German market launches in Brum

Birmingham is expected to draw crowds this Christmas period following the launch of the annual German market.

The German market began today and will be firmly rooted in the heart of Birmingham until the day before Christmas Eve.

Stalls selling the famous beer and German sausages, and tempting visitors with traditional toys and gifts will be welcomed into Birmingham, drawing as many as 5.5 million tourists, according to Birmingham Mail.

After the market’s cancellation in 2020 and 2021’s socially-distanced fair as a result of Covid-19, the market is returning bigger and better than ever, as the city council leader, Ian Ward predicted, “millions of visitors this year.” in an interview with the BBC.

Ward said the Frankfurt market tradition was “enormously well-received” each year, hopefully this year being no different.

The annual tradition started in 2001, inspired by Birmingham's twin city, Frankfurt, in an effort to popularise German Christmas traditions.

The market is the largest, most authentic market outside Austria and Germany, with the now iconic small wooden stalls and red and green decorations, brightening Birmingham’s city centre.

The stalls will be open from 10am to 9pm every day, allowing shoppers to take advantage of the whole day to stock up on Christmas presents for loved ones. To find out more, visit https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/frankfurtmarket .