Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas Market

Birmingham has donned its best Christmas lights once again, bringing the city streets back to its sparkling festive glory. I missed last Christmas so I wanted to get the best of this years festivities, us Brits are renowned for decking out our streets during the festive season that's one thing for sure! It's that time of year again for the Frankfurt Christmas Market to set up shop along Birmingham's Victoria Square and New Street from the 14th November to 22nd December of this year. Let the festivities begin!

Marry to the night and let Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas Market make all of your holiday dreams come true! I was in New York City last year so I have been looking forward to this event, yes I would choose this market over NYC! Indulge in some rich picking because the gifts and crafts that are on offer are out of this world. Birmingham brings it big during this time of year, I just love it and I know that you will as well! Be dazzled by the glittering lights in the winter evening sky for its just perfect. Wrap up warm for Birmingham has been serving some chilling winter weather recently and we don't want to let that be our excuse for not visiting this formidable German Christmas Market! Navigate the winding paths that are laden with possible purchases because we should all treat ourselves, especially at this magical time of year! 

Captured in the photo above is the craft market that over looks Paradise Forum and Birmingham's Town Hall, don't be fooled because this is an extension of the German Market as it all merges together, well it all looks so good its nothing to worry about. I fell in love with Birmingham all over again when I saw the vista captured in the photo that's above, this city has got to have one of the best Christmas markets and I'm not just say that to make this blog sound perfect, I'm being truthful because at the end of the day, who likes a liar?! Last year I spent the festive period in New York City and funnily enough I never saw one Christmas market so I guess Birmingham's Got Talent?! From gourmet snacks, mulled cider and the hippest stocking fillers this market pleases the whole family, now that's genius! So put your hands up and make them touch and give your applause to Birmingham for serving us with such a fabulous festive delight! 

Happy Christmas Birmingham! Victoria Square is currently alight with the joys of Christmas, the festive season is definitely upon us! Me and my friend Lydnsey had broke away from our hectic university lives, for we were looking for something festive to do. People come from far and wide for this vibrant addition to Birmingham and I don't blame them! I have been to many places across Europe and North America over the last two years but know that Birmingham holds the key to my student heart. The month of November is special to me for it's my birthday day month and the Frankfurt Christmas Market opened on the 14th November, the day of my birth! Now that's what I call immaculate timing Birmingham! 

I'm not one for the merry-go-round but it did impress me much with its bright lights and added charm to Victoria Square's bustling crowds as it was filled with excited market goers. I chose to visit the Frankfurt Christmas Market on a Monday for I wanted to take my time and to not feel overwhelmed as at the weekend things can get crazy! I like to do things at my pace, so I would definitely say I have an mature mind for my young 23 years spent on this world! I have recently been quite anti-Christmas but as soon as I saw the bright lights and heard the singing of Christmas song my 'Bah Humbug' Scrooge attitude melted away like an ice cream on a boiling hot summer's day! I guess I should say a big thank you to Birmingham for bringing back my Christmas spirit! 

Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas Market is all about the food, choose between one of the many stalls that sell some seriously delicious German snacks and treats. From Frankfurters to handmade chocolates there's a rich and delicious treat to suit every taste. I went crazy by having two German hot-dogs because they tasted so good! So save those pennies because they are worth it for a delicious bite to eat at Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas Market. Christmas is only once a year so it doesn't matter if you have one or two many treats from the market during this festive season! If you're thirsty then enjoy a Bavarian Beer or some Mulled Wine, when choosing to indulge in one of these beverages you will be able to keep the themed glass for the Bavarian Beer or the decorated cup for the Mulled Wine. Now that's what I call a great Christmas present for yourself to make use of countless times!

I've never been to Frankfurt but I definitely felt closer to what some of the qualities would be like for the Frankfurt Market always seems to be very authentic. I have every confidence I shall be back before the 22nd December for I have to enjoy some Mulled Cider because it's the perfect winter warmer, also what else is a student supposed to do after lectures for my final year is shaping up to be very hectic! What would be your favorite treat to enjoy at Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas Market? Birmingham's New Street comes alive during the late afternoon into the evening for the glittering Christmas lights dazzle in the cold winter skies over Birmingham's premier shopping street, being at the German Market only accentuates the feeling of Christmas in the air. Mix things up doing a spot of shopping in the Bullring because the German Market is conveniently located from all the designer stores.  

Are you on the hunt for a collectors item or something to impress one of your nearest and dearest? Well, you have abundance of choice at Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas Market it's like being a child in a sweet shop there's just so much choice! Captured to the right is one of the stalls that sits in the middle of New Street that sells a wide range of beautifully crafted Russian dolls and many other Christmas themed collector items that could make the perfect stocking filler for this Christmas. I loved the Russian dolls, I suppose buying one of these would be lot more cost effective compared to traveling to Moscow to buy one? By the time I walked past the stall captured to the right I had my hands full with food that I had purchased from other stalls along New Street so it wasn't the best time to think about messing with the pristine looking ornaments, that I shall leave for another day.

I will not lie, for I'm only a poor student so I couldn't be so freely with my dollar but I made the most of what I purchased at the market. I took more from the experience and atmosphere of the market itself rather than the delights that were on offer. I will be revisiting the market in the coming days for its located practically on my doorstep so that's cool with me. If you plan to extend your stay in Birmingham because of the Frankfurt Christmas Market then I salute you! This time of year brings Birmingham's best features to life, along with the colourful and inviting market its the perfect time to experience England's second city. I'm really glad to be spending my final year at University College Birmingham in this city because it allows me to get back to what is great about this place. Birmingham is where my life is right now so I'm just going to embrace it! I just feel blessed to have the Frankfurt Christmas Market back in my student city because its blinking great! 

Joseph Harrison