December is one of the busiest months in Birmingham. The Frankfurt Christmas Market fills the city centre. Two theatres have Christmas shows. Two arenas have gigs most weeks. Aston Villa and Birmingham City both play at home.
If you are wondering what’s on in Birmingham in December 2026, this guide covers the main Birmingham events in December 2026, from pantomime and ballet to Kasabian and Culture Club. It also covers nearby Solihull, Wolverhampton, Coventry and the Black Country, plus football across the West Midlands. And it covers the part people leave until the last minute: getting there. A rail closure over Christmas will change plans for many visitors, so we explain it below.
We checked venue, club and organiser pages on 22 October 2026. When a date comes from a listings site instead of the venue, we say so. Where details are not out yet, we say that too. Line-ups, kick-off times and prices can change, so check the official venue or club website before you buy.
Key dates at a glance
- 5 November to 24 December: Frankfurt Christmas Market, Victoria Square and New Street
- 20 November to 12 December: The Nutcracker, Birmingham Hippodrome
- 28 November to 2 January: Luminate Light Trail, Birmingham Botanical Gardens
- 28 November: Treasure Island pantomime starts at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre
- 4 December: Peter Pan pantomime starts at The Core Theatre, Solihull
- 11 December: Kasabian at Utilita Arena Birmingham and Joss Stone at Symphony Hall
- 13 December: Coventry City v Aston Villa
- 14 December: Mean Girls starts at The Alexandra
- 18 December: Culture Club at Utilita Arena Birmingham and CBSO Choral Christmas at Symphony Hall
- 19 December: Sleeping Beauty starts at the Hippodrome
- 24 to 28 December: no trains to or from Birmingham New Street
- 26 December: Aston Villa v Leeds United at Villa Park
- 31 December: New Year’s Eve parties across the city
Birmingham festive events: markets, big wheel and ice rink
Frankfurt Christmas Market, 5 November to 24 December
The Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market opens on Thursday 5 November and closes on Thursday 24 December 2026. It fills Victoria Square and New Street, between Corporation Street and the Bullring. It is billed as the largest authentic German Christmas market outside Germany and Austria.
ITV News lists the opening hours as Monday to Thursday 11am to 9pm, Friday 11am to 9:30pm, Saturday 10am to 9:30pm and Sunday 10am to 9pm. Walking round is free. You pay for food, drink and gifts.
The council has said there will be no stalls between Nando’s on New Street and the Apple Store, because of building work on Bennetts Hill and Temple Street. Saturdays are the busiest days. Parking company JustPark names 19 December, the last Saturday before Christmas, as a peak day. If you bring young children, go early, before the evening crowds arrive.
Big Wheel and Ice Rink in Centenary Square
The Big Wheel and Ice Rink return to Centenary Square from 5 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, according to the council. JustPark’s guide says they open daily except Christmas Day. The square sits outside the Library of Birmingham and next to Symphony Hall, so it pairs well with a concert.
We could not find 2026 ticket prices or session times in the sources we checked. The Ice Skate Birmingham website is the place to look.
Cathedral Square and other things to do
Birmingham things to do in December also include the craft market at Cathedral Square. Christmas in Cathedral Square opened from 7 November to 24 December in 2025. We could not find confirmed 2026 dates, so check Birmingham Cathedral’s website before you plan around it.
Eventbrite also lists a Caribbean Christmas Market at Sector 57 on Saturday 19 December, starting at 11am.
Luminate Light Trail at Birmingham Botanical Gardens
Luminate returns to the Botanical Gardens in Edgbaston from 28 November 2026 to 2 January 2027. The Gardens’ own page lists entry from 4:30pm to 8pm. Luminate says entry slots start every 15 minutes and the walk takes about 60 to 90 minutes.
You must book online in advance, and Gardens membership does not cover this event. On Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, last entry is 8pm and the trail closes at 9pm. We could not see 2026 ticket prices, so check the booking page. It suits couples, families with older children and anyone who wants an evening out that is not a market.
Still to be announced
Several festive events have no 2026 dates yet. Birmingham Museums says Santa at Thinktank will have its full line-up “soon”. Visit Birmingham’s Christmas page lists Santa Trains on the Severn Valley Railway and a Polar Express screening at Millennium Point, with no 2026 dates for either. Dudley Zoo and Castle is recruiting a Santa for its castle grotto, so a grotto looks planned, but we found no dates or prices. The Black Country Living Museum has a Christmas event page with no December 2026 dates yet. Luminate also lists Coombe Abbey near Coventry, with no dates shown. Check those sites in November.
Christmas shows, pantomime and ballet
Sleeping Beauty at Birmingham Hippodrome
Sleeping Beauty starts on Saturday 19 December 2026 and plays until Sunday 31 January 2027. Rylan plays the Diva of Dreams. Zoe Birkett joins him, along with Matt Slack, who returns as Lester the Jester for a 13th year in a row. Andrew Ryan is back as the Dame for a 10th season.
It suits a mixed-age family outing. We did not find 2026 ticket prices, so check the Hippodrome’s booking page for seats and any accessible performances.
The Nutcracker, Birmingham Royal Ballet
Birmingham Royal Ballet’s The Nutcracker plays at the Hippodrome from Friday 20 November to Saturday 12 December 2026. Sir Peter Wright created this production in 1990 as a gift to the city.
One date stands out for families with younger children. The performance on Tuesday 1 December is relaxed. It opens with a 15-minute introduction to the characters and the story, and the adapted show lasts 1 hour 45 minutes. The company also lists a Class on Stage event on Saturday 5 December.
Peter Pan and The Ugly Duckling at Birmingham Rep
Peter Pan plays on the main stage at the Rep from Wednesday 18 November 2026 to Sunday 17 January 2027. Phil Porter adapted J M Barrie’s story, Ruth Chan wrote the music and artistic director Joe Murphy directs.
In The Door, The Ugly Duckling plays from Thursday 3 December to Sunday 10 January 2027. The Rep calls it a good first trip to the theatre. Babes in arms tickets for under-twos cost £2, but numbers are limited, so add one when you book.
The Alexandra, Old Rep and Crescent theatres
The Alexandra’s listings show Mean Girls from Monday 14 December 2026 to Saturday 2 January 2027. Comedy fans have Joe Lycett on Monday 7 December, which is listed as sold out, and All Killa No Filla: Live at Christmas! on Wednesday 9 December. We did not see a pantomime on the Alexandra’s list.
Visit Birmingham’s 2026 Christmas theatre page also lists Beauty and the Beast by Polka Dot Pantomimes at The Old Rep Theatre from 21 November, and A Christmas Carol at the Crescent Theatre on 12 December. We could not find end dates or ticket prices for either. The page says more shows are still to come, so check the theatre websites.
One Tiny Penguin
The Hippodrome’s Patrick Studio hosts One Tiny Penguin from Saturday 5 December to Sunday 3 January 2027. The theatre lists it as a family musical. Check the show page for age guidance.
Birmingham concerts in December 2026
Birmingham concerts in December 2026 range from arena tours to carol nights. Birmingham has two arenas, two classical halls and plenty of smaller rooms. Here are the main shows, venue by venue.
Utilita Arena Birmingham
Utilita Arena Birmingham sits in the city centre on King Edwards Road. Its December shows, per the venue’s own listing:
| Date | Show | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Wed 2 Dec | Kevin Bridges | Here If You Need Me Tour |
| Fri 4 Dec | Blossoms | With The Royston Club and Arkayla |
| Sat 5 Dec | UB40 ft. Ali Campbell | With Katchafire and Bitty McLean |
| Sun 6 Dec | You Me & Comedy | Cedric The Entertainer, Tiffany Haddish and Mo’Nique |
| Wed 9 Dec | Pete Tong Presents Ibiza Classics | Ultra Naté, Poppy Baskcomb, Paige Cavell and a Leftfield DJ set |
| Thu 10 Dec | Waterloo | Tribute show to ABBA |
| Fri 11 Dec | Kasabian | With The Vaccines |
| Sat 12 Dec | The Darkness | With Feeder and A |
| Fri 18 Dec | Culture Club | With ABC and Haircut 100 |
The arena names AXS as its official ticket partner. It warns that tickets from other sellers may be refused at the door, so buy through the venue link.
bp pulse LIVE at the NEC
bp pulse LIVE is a different venue from Utilita Arena. It sits on the NEC campus, next to Birmingham International station and close to the airport. Check which arena your ticket names.
The Gladiators Live Tour plays on 5 and 6 December. The arena advertises £99 family tickets for the Sunday show, which makes it one of the easier family outings in the month. Bryson Tiller plays on 9 December with Majid Jordan. The RnB Winter Ball, with Jagged Edge, B2K and SWV, follows on 10 December.
Ocean Colour Scene bring their Moseley Shoals 30th anniversary tour to the arena on 12 December, with The Enemy and Dirty Circus. On Saturday 19 December, the CBSO plays the score live to The Fellowship of the Ring. The CBSO lists a 1pm performance, so check the booking page for other times.
Both arenas have shows on 5, 9, 10 and 12 December. Expect busy trains and long taxi queues on those nights.
Festive concerts at Symphony Hall and Town Hall
B:Music, which looks after both halls, has a B:Festive programme. Dates from that list:
At Town Hall, The Overtones play Jivin’ Home For Christmas on Friday 4 December. Toyah’s Christmas Party is on Sunday 13 December. The Snowman with a live orchestra follows on Sunday 20 December. On Monday 21 December, a lunchtime organ concert invites you to sing carols with the City Organist.
At Symphony Hall, Disney’s Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert plays on Tuesday 8 and Wednesday 9 December. The film plays on screen while an orchestra performs the score live. Stereoboard lists tickets from £37.55.
Joss Stone brings her Merry Christmas, Love Tour on Friday 11 December. Love Actually Live in Concert is on Monday 14 December, and Christmas with Sir Karl Jenkins on Sunday 20 December. Xmas on the Dancefloor, starring Strictly’s Gorka Márquez, is on Monday 21 December, with tickets listed from £35 on Stereoboard. Home Alone in Concert follows on Wednesday 23 December. The Glenn Miller Orchestra plays on Sunday 27 December.
B:Music also lists The Snowman & The Nutcracker with Toscana Strings and Laura Power on Saturday 12 December.
CBSO Christmas concerts
The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra has its own Christmas listings. Ex Cathedra’s Britten at Christmas is on Saturday 5 December at 3pm. Kazuki conducts The Nutcrackers on Thursday 10 December at 2:15pm.
The CBSO Christmas Party follows on Thursday 17 December at 7:30pm, and CBSO Choral Christmas on Friday 18 December at 7:30pm. Bachtrack names saxophonist Jess Gillam as presenter on the 17th and as soloist on the 18th, when the CBSO choruses also take part. Programmes were still to be announced when we checked.
Smaller venues
The O2 Academy Birmingham on Horsefair hosts Artemas on Sunday 13 December, with doors at 7pm. Live Nation lists the stalls as 14 and over. Birmingham band The Twang are listed there on Saturday 19 December. They have a habit of playing a festive hometown show. Songkick also lists David Rodigan at Hare & Hounds in Kings Heath on Sunday 13 December.
Sport in Birmingham in December 2026
Aston Villa at Villa Park
Villa have four Premier League home games in December, according to the published 2026/27 fixture list:
- Wednesday 2 December v Everton, 8pm
- Saturday 5 December v Crystal Palace, 3pm
- Saturday 26 December v Leeds United, 3pm
- Wednesday 30 December v Liverpool, 8pm
Premier League dates and kick-off times can move for television, so check Aston Villa’s website close to each match. Villa also travel to Coventry City on 13 December. The Premier League’s list shows Sunday 13 December at 4:30pm, although some early fixture lists showed the Saturday, so check the club’s site. Villa play at Chelsea on 19 December. Boxing Day needs extra planning because of the rail closure, covered below. NET also has a page on chauffeur travel to Villa Park.
Birmingham City at St Andrew’s
Birmingham City’s Championship fixture lists show three home games. Watford visit on Tuesday 8 December in the evening. West Ham United visit on Saturday 19 December, listed for 12:30pm. Cardiff City come on Tuesday 29 December, listed for 7:45pm. Sources disagree on a few kick-off times, and television can change them, so confirm on the club’s website.
Saturday 19 December is a heavy day for the city centre. A lunchtime kick-off, the Christmas market, the Sleeping Beauty start and The Twang gig all land on the same date.
Wolves, West Brom and Coventry City
Three more clubs near Birmingham play at home in December. Wolves and West Brom play in the Championship. Coventry City are in the Premier League for 2026/27.
| Club and ground | Date | Opponent |
|---|---|---|
| Wolves, Molineux | Sat 5 Dec | Southampton |
| Wolves, Molineux | Sat 12 Dec | Millwall |
| Wolves, Molineux | Sat 26 Dec | Swansea City |
| West Brom, The Hawthorns | Tue 8 Dec | Cardiff City |
| West Brom, The Hawthorns | Sat 19 Dec | Sheffield United |
| West Brom, The Hawthorns | Tue 29 Dec | Preston North End |
| Coventry City, Coventry Building Society Arena | Tue 1 Dec, 8pm | Ipswich Town |
| Coventry City, Coventry Building Society Arena | Sun 13 Dec, 4:30pm | Aston Villa |
| Coventry City, Coventry Building Society Arena | Sun 27 Dec, 2pm | Chelsea |
| Coventry City, Coventry Building Society Arena | Wed 30 Dec, 7:30pm | Brentford |
Dates for Wolves come from Express & Star, West Brom from the club’s fixture announcement and Coventry from the Premier League. We did not find kick-off times for Wolves or West Brom. Television can move any of these games.
Beyond the city centre: Solihull, Wolverhampton, Coventry and the Black Country
Some of the best December days out sit just outside Birmingham. Dates below come from each venue’s own page unless we say otherwise.
Solihull
Peter Pan: A New Pantomime Adventure! plays at The Core Theatre, Touchwood, from Friday 4 December 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027. Tickets cost £25 to £30, plus a transaction fee. Most days have a 12:30pm or 4:30pm matinee, and some have 7pm shows.
The theatre lists a relaxed performance on Tuesday 29 December at 5:30pm and a BSL signed show on Sunday 6 December at 4:30pm. It recommends the show for ages three and over. Children under 18 months sit on a lap for free. Call the box office on 0121 704 6962.
In 2025, Touchwood and Solihull town centre had a Santa’s grotto and free character visits. We could not find 2026 dates, so check Visit Solihull before you plan around them.
Wolverhampton
Treasure Island is the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre pantomime, playing from 28 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. Richard Blackwood plays Long John Silver. Ian Adams returns as the Dame for his 10th year, with Tam Ryan. The Grand lists “from” prices of £17.50 to £24, with fees included, plus family, group and school offers. For football, see the Wolves dates above.
Coventry
The Belgrade Theatre’s pantomime is Beauty and the Beast, playing from 18 November 2026 to 2 January 2027, according to Theatre Weekly’s report on the theatre’s 2026 season. Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas plays there from 3 to 27 December.
Visit Birmingham’s list also shows The Gruffalo’s Child at Warwick Arts Centre from 28 November. We did not find an end date. For football, see the Coventry City dates above.
Dudley and the Black Country
West Brom’s home games are the main confirmed December dates here, and they sit in the table above. The Dudley Zoo and Black Country Living Museum details are in the “Still to be announced” section earlier in this guide.
New Year’s Eve in Birmingham
Listings show a few confirmed parties. The Jam House has a New Year’s Eve celebration on Thursday 31 December from 6pm to 2am, with live music from Tru Groove, via Ents24. Eventbrite lists LatinMotion NYE Fest at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole in Marston Green, starting at 8pm. We did not find a confirmed city centre fireworks event in the sources we checked, so treat that as not yet announced.
Getting to Birmingham events
Travel advice varies by venue, event time and festive traffic. Plan the journey before you buy tickets, not after.
Trains
Birmingham New Street is the main hub. The Hippodrome is about 0.2 miles and five minutes’ walk from it, and about ten minutes from Moor Street. Utilita Arena’s nearest stations are New Street, Moor Street and Snow Hill. bp pulse LIVE sits next to Birmingham International, which is a 10 to 15 minute train journey from New Street.
For Solihull, Wolverhampton, Coventry and the Black Country, check each venue’s travel page and your route on National Rail. Festive traffic can slow the roads around town centres and stadiums.
Now the big warning. National Rail says there will be no train services to or from Birmingham New Street from Thursday 24 to Monday 28 December 2026, while Network Rail renews overhead power lines. London Northwestern Railway adds that no train services operate on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, and says rail replacement buses will connect New Street with nearby stations, including Birmingham International. The station building stays open.
This affects the last day of the Christmas market on 24 December, late finishes that evening, and the Villa v Leeds match on Boxing Day. Do not assume the usual train to Aston or Witton will be available. Check National Rail before you set off.
Buses
The Hippodrome lists bus routes 6, 61, 63, 87, X1 and X2. For bp pulse LIVE, the venue lists the 900 bus, which it says leaves every 20 minutes and takes about 30 minutes. The free Air-Rail Link takes you from Birmingham Airport to Birmingham International station, and the venue says it operates from 3:30am to 12:30am.
For Villa Park, Engage Hospitality lists a matchday AV82 shuttle from Dudley Street, outside New Street, starting three hours before kick-off. Check the club’s travel page for 2026 details.
Driving and parking
Birmingham city centre sits inside the Clean Air Zone. The published charge for a non-compliant car is £8 a day. Check your car and pay at Brum Breathes.
The Hippodrome warns that city centre parking can be hard in busy periods. It lists the Arcadian car park at £18 for 12 hours and flat-rate evening parking at Edgbaston Street for £7.50 from 5pm to 2am. For drop-offs it suggests Inge Street. Utilita Arena advises pre-booking its on-site car parks.
At the NEC, follow the signs to your event’s car park and avoid the Resorts World car park. The venue lists over 16,000 spaces on the campus. For Villa Park, Engage Hospitality strongly advises against driving. It points to pre-booked park and walk sites such as Y International and King Edward VI Aston School.
Taxis
Book ahead for late finishes. Queues build fast after a big show. bp pulse LIVE asks visitors to use its designated pick-up and drop-off points, so tell your driver which one you want.
Booking a chauffeur transfer for Birmingham events
Some nights are easier with one pre-booked car. A family of six with shopping bags. A group heading to Culture Club who do not want to split taxis. A couple leaving the Rep late on a cold night. And this year, anyone who needs to get around while New Street has no trains.
National Executive Transfers has operated since 2015 from Birmingham Airport. We hold private hire licences from Birmingham City Council, Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council and City of Wolverhampton Council. Our chauffeurs are DBS checked, and we drive Mercedes-Benz E-Class, S-Class and V-Class cars. The V-Class seats up to seven passengers, which suits group trips to concerts and pantomime.
Our event chauffeur service covers concerts, shows and sport. Ask us about trips to Solihull or Wolverhampton venues too. If you want a car for a whole evening, hourly and full-day hire has a two-hour minimum.
Tell us your venue, your show time and how many people are travelling. We will suggest a pick-up time that allows for festive traffic. Call 01564 778080 or book online. Booking as soon as you have tickets gives you the most choice.
Conclusion
Pick your event by who is coming. Families get the most from Sleeping Beauty, The Ugly Duckling and the Sunday Gladiators Live tickets. Music fans have Kasabian on 11 December and Culture Club on 18 December, plus festive concerts at Symphony Hall. Football fans can pick from home games at Villa, Birmingham City, Wolves, West Brom and Coventry City. Look beyond the city centre too, because Solihull, Wolverhampton and Coventry all have family pantomimes.
Then check the venue page for your date, because line-ups and kick-off times can still change. Make your travel plan at the same time. The New Street closure from 24 to 28 December is the detail most likely to catch visitors out. Plan for it now.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It closes on Thursday 24 December 2026.
Try The Ugly Duckling at the Rep, the relaxed Nutcracker on 1 December, One Tiny Penguin, or Sleeping Beauty from 19 December. Gladiators Live has £99 family tickets for its Sunday show.
Not to or from New Street between 24 and 28 December. Check National Rail for alternatives.
Use the venue’s own link. The two arenas name AXS as their official ticket partner.
Try the Big Wheel and Ice Rink in Centenary Square, a pantomime or ballet at the Hippodrome, a festive concert at Symphony Hall, or a football match at Villa Park or St Andrew’s.
Utilita Arena is in the city centre. bp pulse LIVE is on the NEC campus, next to Birmingham International station. Check which one is named on your ticket.
Non-compliant cars pay £8 a day in the Clean Air Zone. Parking is extra. The Hippodrome lists the Arcadian car park at £18 for 12 hours.
No trains use Birmingham New Street from 24 to 28 December. Villa play Leeds United on Saturday 26 December at 3pm. Check the club’s travel page and National Rail for rail replacement buses.
Yes. The Core in Solihull has Peter Pan from 4 December. Wolverhampton Grand has Treasure Island from 28 November. The Belgrade in Coventry has Beauty and the Beast from 18 November.
The Luminate Light Trail at Birmingham Botanical Gardens opens from 28 November 2026 to 2 January 2027. Book online in advance.
Aston Villa, Birmingham City, Wolves, West Brom and Coventry City all have home games. Villa and Wolves are both at home on Boxing Day.
