The smell of bratwurst and mulled wine will soon be drifting down New Street again.

The Frankfurt Christmas Market is confirmed to return to Birmingham city centre for 2026, and organisers are already recruiting the people who will run it.

When does the Frankfurt Christmas Market open in 2026?

The market opens on Thursday, 5 November and runs until Christmas Eve, Thursday, 24 December, a total of 50 days.

That is a slightly shorter run than in some recent years, so anyone planning a visit should not leave it too late.

What are the opening times?

From Monday to Thursday, stalls will trade from 11am to 9pm.

On Fridays the market opens at 11am and stays open until 9.30pm.

Saturdays run from 10am to 9.30pm, while Sundays run from 10am to 9pm.

The one planned exception is Remembrance Sunday, 8 November, when the market will not open until 1pm.

Where is it and what can you expect?

More than 100 wooden chalets will line New Street and fill Victoria Square, making it the largest authentic German Christmas market outside Germany and Austria.

The market first came to Birmingham in 1997 through the city's long partnership with Frankfurt and now draws around 5.5 million visitors each year.

Food lovers can expect pretzels, stollen and sausages, washed down with German beer, glühwein or hot chocolate.

Gift hunters will find handcrafted decorations, wooden toys, glass baubles and jewellery.

A free programme of live music will run at the bandstand in Victoria Square, featuring performers from Germany and Birmingham, including community choirs.

Is Birmingham Christmas Market worth visiting?

For most people, yes, particularly if you enjoy food, atmosphere and browsing for gifts.

Entry is free, the live music at the bandstand costs nothing, and its scale is hard to match in the UK.

The main drawback is the crowds, as the organisers themselves say it gets very busy at weekends, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings.

If you prefer space to browse, a weekday or a Sunday visit will usually be more comfortable.

Christmas market jobs: who is hiring?

For anyone looking for seasonal work, the market is also a big local employer.

Full-time and part-time roles are being advertised at £13.45 an hour, including kitchen assistants, kitchen porters and glass washers.

No previous experience is required, although it is welcomed, and training will be provided.

Interviews are taking place from late September and through October, so anyone interested should apply soon through the market's official website.

What else is happening in the city centre?

Ice Skate Birmingham and the Big Wheel are due to return to Centenary Square in November, although exact dates have not yet been confirmed.

For the first time, the Christmas in Cathedral Square Craft Market will match the German market's dates, running from 5 November to Christmas Eve.

It offers a smaller, more independent alternative in the grounds of Birmingham Cathedral.

Tips for visiting

Weekday afternoons are usually the calmest time to browse, while Friday and Saturday evenings are the busiest.

Birmingham New Street, Moor Street and Snow Hill stations are all within walking distance, and the tram stops at Grand Central and Corporation Street.

Note that no trains will run to or from New Street between 24 and 28 December, although this falls after the market closes on Christmas Eve evening.

Whether you go for the food, the gifts or the atmosphere, the countdown to Birmingham's festive season has officially begun.

Image: Photo by Korng Sok on Unsplash.