This year, 2011, will be the 11 anniversary of the Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market. Dates for the Market have now been finalised and will be from 17 November - 23 December.

The market is sited in a section of New Street and Chamberlin & Victoria Squares and is open seven days a week from 10.00hrs – 21.00hrs. (10am – 9pm).

The event is even more attractive for visitors as it is located adjacent to the Birmingham Christmas Craft Fair, sited on Centenary Way Bridge and Centenary Square. Combined together there were over 180 stalls on view in 2010, 120 German stalls and 60 stalls manned by local traders. A major increase on the 24 stalls displayed when the market first opened in 2001 and with numbers appearing to increase yearly it combines to make the Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market and Craft Fair, the United Kingdom’s largest Christmas Market.

In 2009 the combined event attracted more than three million visitors, spending money in both markets, local shops, restaurants, bars and for those who have travelled distances hotels. It is estimated that the local economy was boosted by approximately £89.5 million pounds.

The Craft stalls offer a large range of locally produced hand crafted items, including wood carvings, organic soaps, cosmetics, toys, decorative iron and metal works, handbags and musical instruments. Other stalls offer ethnic handicrafts from the likes of India, South America and Africa. There are also stalls offering locally produced food and drink, which included in 2010, organic meats and sausages, burgers, ostrich, chestnuts, be careful they are very hot, baked potatoes and other Christmas associated foods. For the real ale visitors this is available from local micro-breweries. There were also stalls selling various cheeses and chutneys, just the thing for visitors to take home and indulge in over Christmas.

Moving to the Frankfurt Market, this has become a favourite of the local population and United Kingdom and European visitors and is the largest authentic German market outside of Germany and Austria. You will find rows of wooden chalets offering various items of handicraft gifts which include candles, jewellery, wooden toys dolls, plus German mulled wine, beers, meats, sausages, pretzels, gingerbread, stolen, crepes, sweets, breads, pastries and marzipans.

As a word of warning just be aware of your alcohol intake as it is so easy to drink more that you really should, you have been warned.

You are advised to consider an early visit to the German Frankfurt Market and Craft Fair with your to buy for Christmas present list and then perhaps return for a more relaxed visit nearer to Christmas.

If you visit nearer Christmas you will also be able see and enjoy the Birmingham Council display of Christmas Lights illuminating the area local to the markets.

The markets are simply an amazing experience to enjoy with a truly continental atmosphere which is conjured up by the lights, sounds and smells of this truly amazing and unique spectacle found in the centre of the UK’s second city and this will be enhanced during lunchtimes and evenings with live music from a traditional British bandstand.

Coupled together the Craft Fair and Frankfurt market generate a unique shopping experience in what appears to be a small model village in the centre of a large city.

Close at hand you will find bars, cafes and restaurants where one can relax, rest their weary feet and indulge in whatever takes their fancy.

For travellers, why not consider staying for a few days at one of the centrally located hotels as visitors to the markets can often obtain specially discounted rates at participating hotels, especially during weekends. With the markets then close at hand you will be in a position to miss the crowds, enjoy a quiet and relaxing morning browse and then have a look at what other activities and events are on offer in Birmingham to keep you entertained during your stay?

Access to Birmingham via air, road or rail is relatively simple, for those passengers travelling to Birmingham by plane you are advised that the Birmingham City centre is only a short distance away from Birmingham Airport and for those looking for overnight accommodation this can easily be found/booked in hotels either in or in close proximity to Birmingham itself. National Express operates the main bus routes calling at Birmingham Airport, There are also buses by smaller operators which also call at the airport. Bus stops can be found outside Terminal 1. Taxi cabs are available from the Taxi Rank outside the arrivals area of the airport.

Also available for the local population and visitors is the well known 11A & 11C Birmingham bus which circulates Birmingham in two directions, anticlockwise (11A) and clockwise (11C) carrying  passengers to the centre. Handy for those wishing to park up and ride into the city.

There are motorway links in abundance from anywhere in the country in the form of the M1, M5, M6 and M42 all linking to other motorways on route to Birmingham. For those travelling by car there are numerous car parking facilities available.

The intercity rail link also provides access to Birmingham, from effectively all major English, Scottish and Welsh cities. Snow Hill Station is but a short walk away from the Market Area. There will be additional access by rail following the completion of the government backed Birmingham to London rail link.

For visitors who plan to stay overnight why not consider planning your stay in conjunction with other Birmingham events on offer. Check what’s happening at the National Exhibition Centre, International Convention Centre, Symphony Hall, Royal Ballet, Hippodrome, and National Indoor Arena amongst others. You may even consider linking your stay with one of the Premiership football matches at Villa Park, The Hawthorns, or Molineux, or a Championship game at Birmingham City. The various choices you have available are wide and varied.

Have a look around our site  and you will find articles on what Birmingham has to offer, have a wander along Broad Street and search the pavements for the engraved paving stones identifying Birmingham’s currently identified 22 Walk of Stars, try the various adjacent bars on your search, but not too many or you will never find the named pavers. Have a wander along the pedestrian friendly canal system where you will find varying examples of ancient, old and also modern architecture. The Activ Birmingham article entitled Birmingham Walkabout, may be of interest, why not follow it as it identifies many sites and places of interest in close proximity around Birmingham?

Whatever you decide to do during your visit we at Activ Birmingham are sure that you will not be disappointed, have a look at what’s on offer, plan your few days stay and have a great time.