Birmingham stations prepare for the festive celebrations as Christmas market returns

Customers heading into Birmingham for the festive season are being encouraged to plan ahead as the city prepares for hundreds of thousands of visitors for Christmas celebrations.

Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market returns today (Thursday 5 November) running until Thursday 24 December 2026, with stalls across Victoria Square, New Street and High Street bringing festive food, drink and entertainment to the heart of the city.

Christmas in Cathedral Square Market also returns with its mix of independent traders, offering crafts, gifts, food and drink around St Philip’s Cathedral, from 5 November to Christmas Eve.

Station teams at Birmingham New Street, Birmingham Moor Street and Birmingham Snow Hill are ready to welcome customers visiting the market, going shopping, or enjoying festive events.

Around 4.5 million customers used Birmingham New Street during last year’s Christmas market period, making it one of the busiest times of the year at the station.

Network Rail is working closely with Birmingham City Council, British Transport Police and train operators - West Midlands Railway, London Northwestern Railway, Avanti West Coast, Chiltern Railways, Transport for Wales, and CrossCountry - to coordinate passenger information and crowd management throughout the festive period.

Anyone visiting the markets on Christmas Eve should note that no trains will serve Birmingham New Street on that day because of major engineering work which will mean no trains at the station between Thursday 24 December and Monday 28 December.

Passengers travelling by train are being reminded of three golden rules:

• Plan your journey and check before you travel at National Rail
• Know your last few trains home and don’t rely on the final service, as trains will be particularly busy
• Show festive spirit by respecting railway staff and fellow passengers

Patrick Power, Head of Stations and Passenger Experience for Network Rail Central route, said:

“Christmas is always a fantastic time in Birmingham and we’re looking forward to welcoming people travelling into the city to enjoy everything it has to offer.

“The railway will be busy, particularly at weekends and in the evenings, so our advice is simple: plan ahead, know which trains you can catch home and please be patient with our colleagues and other passengers.

“Teams will be on hand at Birmingham New Street, Moor Street, and Snow Hill throughout the festive period to provide information, help people with their journeys and keep everyone moving safely.”

Councillor Deborah Harries, Cabinet Member for Culture, Birmingham City Council, said:

“We welcome the Frankfurt Christmas Market back to the city this week, which is a highlight of the season for residents and visitors alike, starting the countdown to Christmas for many.

“It is one of many festive events taking place in Birmingham which bring visitors to the city from far and wide, and is a major boost to our visitor economy – attracting up to 5 million people each year.”

Teams across Birmingham’s stations will be prepared for the increased number of passengers, with additional measures in place at the busiest times to manage crowds safely.

At Birmingham New Street, queuing systems may be introduced when necessary to safely manage the number of people accessing platforms and boarding trains. Passengers should allow plenty of time for their journeys, particularly when travelling home during busy evenings and weekends.

Customers are also encouraged to look after one another during the festive season and to follow advice from station teams and British Transport Police.

Customers are also being reminded that major engineering upgrades will mean no trains will run to, from or through Birmingham New Street from Thursday 24 December until Monday 28 December, with train services resuming on Tuesday 29 December.

Depending on their route, customers may need to use replacement buses, travel via a different route or change at another station.

Train operators including Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, London Northwestern Railway, Transport for Wales and West Midlands Railway, have set out alternative arrangements which are now available at nationalrail.co.uk/Christmas. 

Where possible, customers should travel before or after the closure. Those travelling during it should plan ahead, check their journey before setting off and allow extra time.

For the latest journey information and to plan your journey, visit nationalrail.co.uk.

For more information about Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market, visit thebfcm.co.uk.