10 Best Things to Do in Winter in Birmingham

The Birmingham Christmas Market is a beloved part of the city’s festive calendar. The event takes place in Victoria Square from early November to just before Christmas Eve. It's one of the best things to do in winter in Birmingham – you'll find over 80 stalls selling almost everything, from ornaments to delicious German foods.

This is the world’s biggest German Christmas market outside of Germany or Austria. A highlight of the Birmingham Christmas Market is the chance to try a huge range of delicious food and drink. From pretzels to bratwurst, there’s a wealth of traditional cuisine to delve into. Pair your choice of snack with decadent beverages, such as mulled wine, wheat beer, and hot chocolate with all the trimmings.

Sutton Park is a 2,400-acre nature reserve in Sutton Coldfield, about 6 miles outside of Birmingham. One of the biggest urban parks in Europe, it boasts heathland, woodland, lakes, wetlands and marshes. Each has its own unique plants and wildlife, many of which are rare for the area. 

Sutton Park is a great spot for invigorating walks during the winter months. Highlights of the park include a variety of restaurants and cafes, herds of cattle and wild ponies, a private 18-hole golf course, and a municipal golf course. There is also a donkey sanctuary, various playgrounds and a visitors center.

Birmingham Hippodrome is a theater right in the middle of Birmingham’s Chinese Quarter. Home of the Birmingham Royal Ballet, this is a venue that also puts on plays, opera and other classical shows to an audience of 1,935.

This is the UK’s busiest theater, drawing over 600,000 people to its doors every year. A huge variety of performances takes place year-round. During the festive season, the Hippodrome hosts a range of pantomimes, which can be a great way to sample a part of traditional British festive culture. Evening and matinee performances are held regularly.

The Resorts World Arena is a large indoor arena at the National Exhibition Center in Solihull, just outside of Birmingham. It hosts a wide variety of events including concerts, comedic shows, and more. 

With a capacity of over 15,000, the atmosphere at Resorts World Arena can reach fever pitch levels when the biggest acts roll into town. Previous artists to have played this arena include Beyonce, Lady Gaga and Britney Spears.

The Museum of the Jewelry Quarter is built around a preserved jewelry workshop, providing a look at working life in Birmingham’s Jewelry Quarter. This unique time capsule offers guided tours and live demonstrations. 

With a gallery exploring the history of the Jewelry Quarter and another focusing on jewelry made from globally sourced natural materials, this museum offers an informative way to spend a cold winter’s day in Birmingham.

A visit to the National Motorcycle Museum is essential for bikers visiting Birmingham. Packed with information and the world’s largest collection of British motorcycles, this museum has over 1,000 machines from 170 different manufacturers traversing no less than 300 years. There are roughly 850 on display at any one time across the museum’s 5 large display neighborhoods.

The National Motorcycle Museum offers tours, special events, and a range of facilities that includes a cafe. The complex is large and extensive enough for a full winter’s day of exploration.

The Birmingham Symphony Hall is an iconic venue for concerts of all types. Located at the heart of the UK’s second city, it boasts top-level acoustics, 2,262-seats, and an iconic glass facade. 

Finished in 1991 with a £30 million budget, the Birmingham Symphony Hall is said by many experts to have the very best acoustics of any venue in the UK. Attending one of the many classical, jazz, folk, rock and pop concerts here is a unique sonar experience.

Bullring is a shopping mall that has become something of a landmark in Birmingham. Offering a wide range of high-street fashion and household stores in addition to many restaurants, this is a popular choice for wintertime shopping and leisure under the same roof.

Shoppers with a taste for high fashion can indulge their pleasure at the Selfridges department store, which houses many international fashion labels. Other major shops on offer include COS, Foot Locker, H&M, and Lacoste.

The Midlands Art Center is a sprawling arts complex offering a taste of Birmingham’s vibrant arts scene. Theater, dance, music and comedy prominently take place here. There's also a movie theater and special events are frequently held such as talks and workshops.

On a cold winter’s day, browsing the collections and exhibitions at Midlands Art Center can provide a welcome respite from the frost. Their famous pop-up market hosts everything from local artists and fashion designers to purveyors of delicious produce. Families with children should check out the Midlands Art Centre’s child-friendly exhibitions, which seek to introduce young minds to the joys of diverse art forms.

Thinktank Science Museum is a key part of Birmingham’s educational and cultural scene. Opened in 2001 in the city’s Digbeth neighbourhood, the museum takes a fun approach to science, yet remains deeply committed to education at its core.

Highlights include the Spitfire Gallery, displaying several examples of real-life fighter planes, an immersive planetarium, and even a miniature model of Birmingham city, affectionately known as MiniBrum. Hosting a range of events such as guided tours and special talks, Thinktank has a cafe and restaurant, as well as a gift shop offering all manner of souvenirs and scientific gadgets.