We are less than eight weeks away from Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market beginning in earnest.
The annual event starts on Thursday, November 5 and we know loads of you Brummies (and loads of you that visit us each year) will be looking to plan ahead for the season.
As such, we’ve created this big guide to new things in Birmingham for you to bookmark ahead of your visit.
READ MORE: Victoria Square isn’t the only beautiful Birmingham square hosting a Christmas Market
We’re telling you now because a few things need booking in advance, and we’d hate for you to miss out.
We’re looking at new shops to visit, new restaurants to try and bars for cosying up in once you’ve finished revelling in the cold!
Here’s that, and let us know if there’s anything you’d like us to add.
New attractions in Birmingham for Christmas 2026
Escape Hunt: Escape Hunt opened on Cannon Street, just off New Street, in July with loads of exciting escape rooms. Now, as well as having rooms inspired by Aladdin, Alice in Wonderland and stories of ancient Egypt and Atlantis, there’s an India themed room and a spooky Dracula-themed one too.
Neverland: Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery’s Gas Hall will be transformed into Neverland for a Peter Pan-themed festive attraction. A world-class experience team will be decorating the Edwardian space and tickets will go to supporting Birmingham Museums Trust and Great Ormond Street Hospital, which owns the rights to the JM Barrie story. Here’s more.
New Bullring and Grand Central shops open for Christmas 2026
Victoria’s Secret: A huge new branch of Victoria’s Secret opened back in March. If you’re thinking ‘I thought we already had one?!’ then you’re not wrong. We used to, where Sephora is now. This one is new, at the old Next.
Lululemon: The Canadian activewear and athleisure brand opened its first-ever Midlands store in May, taking over a 5,700 sq ft unit near Selfridges.
New Balance: This athletics brand opened a new standalone store on the upper level in July 2026, replacing AllSaints, which left after having a standalone presence in the Bullring since day dot!
Subdued: The Italian teen and youth fashion brand opened its doors in April 2026. It was one of a number of really trendy new spots for the year.
Moida: Moida opened its dedicated Korean beauty and skincare store on the upper level of the shopping centre in April 2026.
Kiko Milano: Not new for the Bullring, but a new look. Kiko Milano refreshed its Bullring shop to make better use of the space in that little area just outside the centre.
Lovisa: After much anticipation, Lovisa reopened in the Bullring in a brand new location in June. It’s downstairs on the very bottom floor.
Harli and Harpa: In July, affordable jewellery brand Harli and Harpa opened, just a couple of doors down from Lovisa.
Reloved Brum Central: A charity shop supporting the brilliant Birmingham Hospice, Reloved Brum Central is small but filled with brilliant buys, including the occasional designer surprise! It opened in August in Grand Central, near the Kitty Cafe.
Sweets from Heaven: On Link Street between Bullring and Grand Central, Sweets from Heaven opened in June. It sells loads of really unusual sweets and drinks from around the world. If you have a friend that loves American snacks, make a beeline!
New shops on New Street that are new for Christmas 2026
Bird and Blend Tea: The old Claire’s Accessories site became a branch of Bird and Blend Tea back in June. As well as a stunning range of around 100 teas, there are loads of gift options for tea lovers, including their own cold brew bottle which is surprisingly good.
Pop Mart: There’s no open date yet, but if Pop Mart isn’t open in time for Christmas on New Street, we’ll eat our Labubu. The collectible shop closed in August at New Street with a view to open a mega new shop where Hollister was, opposite Lush on New Street. The anticipation builds!
New restaurants that opened in Birmingham ahead of Christmas 2026
SushiDog: Situated in the Bullring, this restaurant opened back in January serving up sushi rolls, burrito style.
Flat Iron: Temple Street is the location for the first West Midlands brand of Flat Iron steakhouse. Set over two floors, it officially opens on October 10.
KIBOU: Round the corner on Temple Row, award-winning Japanese restaurant group KIBOU has taken over the old Riva Blu. It officially opens on October 12, 2026.
Maki & Ramen: Situated on New Street, Maki and Ramen is now open in King Edward House. The noodle and sushi joint opened to huge queues in August.
Sticks ‘N’ Sushi: Up on the Paradise development, Danish-Japanese restaurant Sticks ‘N’ Sushi will open this autumn. It joins the likes of La Bellezza, Dishoom, Cow and Sow, Albert’s Schloss and Rosa’s Thai in that corner of town.
Blacklock: London chop-house Blacklock opened on Cathedral Square with an enviable view over Pigeon Park in April. That will have some of the most magical views of Pigeon Park’s Christmas market, if you can see over giant sharing platters of meat!
Beyond: Up on Summer Row, the incredibly tenacious and creative food students of University College Birmingham will be smashing out small plates in a new 80-cover restaurant this autumn. Expect locally sourced sharing plates celebrating Birmingham’s culinary heritage and food so good, you won’t believe the prices. Its own Restaurant at College of Food will be reopen then too, following a transformation. It’s great.
New bars near the German Market for Christmas 2026:
O’Neill’s: On Cannon Street, a new branch of O’Neill’s opened in the old Windsor pub back in July. The boozer opened up the top floor for the first time in years for live sports, interactive darts (including accessible boards) and fun.
The Boiler Room: The sister bar of The Boiler Room in Leamington, Birmingham’s own Boiler Room will open on Waterloo Street in an enviable spot with a view over Victoria Square very soon. No exact date has been revealed, but the bar says renovation is complete and so excitement has set in.
Bonnie Rogues: Replacing the old Revolucion de Cuba, Bonnie Rogues will be a live and loud bar on Temple Street when it opens on Friday, September 25. Live music, good craic, karaoke and party vibes will keep the joy going after you’ve polished off your last weissbier.
