If you’re anything like us, Christmas may well have just snuck up on you. One minute you’re carving pumpkins with the ordeal of Christmas shopping miles in the distance, the next you’re wading your way through German market goers in Birmingham city centre as the scent of hot cocoa invades your nostrils.
Then if you also happen to be running a small business, you’ve got the added pressure of doing something special with your team over the festive period to celebrate your successes over the past year. We don’t need to tell you how important it is to give your team something to look forward to as the weather gets colder and the days get shorter.
If planning a Christmas party for your team fills you with horror, you’re in luck. There’s tonnes to do in Birmingham at Christmas, so even the most disorganised planner will find something to suit everyone. And best of all? You’re not responsible for the cleanup afterwards! Here are some of our favourite team-friendly things to do to celebrate the festive period:
The Birmingham German Market
No list of Christmas activities in Brum would be complete without a mention of our famous Birmingham German market. I mean, is it even Christmas time if you haven’t had a wurst and a glühwein from a little wooden hut?
A visit to the German market is to dive headfirst into Christmas, this annual Birmingham treasure spans the entirety of New Street and Victoria Square. You’ll usually find these areas adorned with traditional Frankfurt style wooden stalls selling all kinds of shiny trinkets and tasty treats.
Running from Thursday November 15th til Sunday December 23rd, the market is really popular and can get pretty busy at weekends. We’d recommend getting your German beer and singing moose fix on a weekday if you enjoy being able to move around!
Birmingham Ice Rink & Big Wheel
If you and your team fancy donning your skates and throwing some shapes out on the ice, the Birmingham Ice Rink & Big Wheel is the place to be for that wintery wonderland charm. Formerly based in Centenary Square, the ice rink has moved to Eastside Green just off New Canal Street.
If you’re less figure skating pro and more Bambi on ice, a ride on the big wheel is not to be missed.
They do discounts for groups so be sure to get in touch with Ice Skate Birmingham to book.
Elf: A Christmas Spectacular
Are you looking to be well and truly entertained this Christmas? Well, for the big kids out there, we couldn’t not include a classic Christmas panto in this list. Plus, Elf is your favourite Christmas film of all time, this one is definitely for you!
This West End and Broadway musical hits The Genting Arena between the 20th -24th of December and with an all-star cast, you’re bound to be in stitches throughout.
Digbeth Apres Ski
If you’re after something a little more grown up, get yourself down to trendy Digbeth on the 7th, 8th and 9th of December for the Apres Ski party.
Get your ski outfits out and prepare for The Custard Factory to transform into an alpine ski lodge for the weekend, complete with a snow machine and Aeperol galore! You and your team can boogie the night away with a rum-spiked hot cocoa in one hand and cheesy fondue dipped bread in the other.
It’s a great alternative Christmas do for the team looking for something quirky, they even have party games and live music! They also do deals for group bookings so get in touch with the team to book ahead of time.
Winter Market – Chilli and Spice Fest
Sick of the cold weather? Warm yourself up at the Chilli and Spice Fest, another Digbeth special held at The Bond on the 1st of December.
Quirkier than your average event and a real treat for the spice hounds among us, there will be something for everyone with street food trucks from some of Birmingham’s best eateries, artisanal craft stores and DJs on the night time to get everyone in the party spirit.
Christmas at City Social
If you’re looking for something to do in Birmingham city centre that’s not quite as busy as the German Market but still has heaps of festive spirit, this hidden Christmas market under the Suffolk Queensway is open between the 15th of November and 21st of December.
Tucked away in the underpass in front of the Mailbox, market go-ers can expect a slightly more relaxed experience but certainly not at the expense of Christmas cheer. With live entertainment on offer every weekend including Christmas films on a Sunday, City Social sure is a worthy competitor to the German market.
What are you and your team doing for Christmas this year? Leave us a comment with your favourite things to do in Birmingham around the festive period.