It's OPEN! The festivities have well and truly arrived in Birmingham city centre as the German Christmas Market opened for 2023.
The iconic market, otherwise known as the Frankfurt Christmas Market, opened to the public at 11am on Thursday, November 2. And despite the rainy start, revellers were turning out to enjoy a pint and bratwurst.
One of the event's organisers, Kurt Stroscher, said they were 'really happy' to be back in Brum! While council leader John Cotton said the market signals the 'start of the festivities and Christmas here in Birmingham'
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Mr Stroscher, director of festivals for Frankfurt City Council, said: "We are all really happy to be back in Birmingham. For so many years now, every year we share the tradition of Christmas with the citizens and visitors of Birmingham.
"We started the Frankfurt Christmas Market here in Birmingham 23 years ago. People can expect to socialise, enjoy typical German drinks and food for example Gluhwein and it's the same in Germany. I like the Gluhwein and Bratwurst!"
Leader of Birmingham City Council, Councillor John Cotton, added: "It's always exciting when the Frankfurt Christmas Market opens, it's the start of the festivities and Christmas here in Birmingham so it's a great, exciting moment. We also know it has great advantages to the city as well, people come here to spend, not just at the market, but with our local businesses and supporting our local economy as well. So it's really a win-win for everybody and a great moment as we start Christmas here in Brum.
"We calculate it is somewhere in the region of 7,000 jobs and it also means that people are coming in, not only spending money in the market, but using our bars, restaurants and other local businesses as well to do their Christmas shopping, so it's really giving a massive boost to the wider local economy.
"Also we know that visitors don't just come from Birmingham and the wider region, they come from around the country and indeed, internationally to see the Frankfurt Market. It's just become the highlight of what happens here at Christmas in Brum.
"The Christmas Market doesn't cost the council a penny, it is paid for by Frankfurt Markets Ltd, so there's no financial implications for the council. It's really important from an economic point of view, it is sustaining those jobs and putting money into the pockets of local businesses. It's a win-win for everybody.
"I think it's really important too that in tough times we come together as a community to celebrate the festive season and celebrate Christmas, and that is certainly what we have been doing with the market here for many years in Birmingham and long may it continue!"
