Birmingham and the city region have Christmas all wrapped up, with a great choice of shopping, food and drink, seasonal events, culture and attractions – whatever time of day or night.
Visit Birmingham, the city’s leisure tourism programme, has once again joined forces with travel partner London Midland (www.londonmidland.com), which operates direct trains into the heart of Birmingham from the Midlands and beyond.
Find out what you can discover across the Birmingham area this Christmas…
12 Drummers Drumming
Drum your chopsticks in delight at Birmingham’s Chinatown, with its myriad restaurants and cafés offering authentic menus from Northern China all the way to Malaysia.
http://www.enjoysouthside.co.uk
11 Pipers Piping
The whole family can enjoy a Victorian Christmas evening at the Black Country Living Museum, with musical entertainment, street performers, brass bands and carol singers.
Sing along with the pianist in the Bottle & Glass Inn and get a real taste for the season with hot roast chestnuts, traditionally cooked fish and chips and mulled wine.
Father Christmas will also be at the museum for the popular Santa Hunts, or join him in his grotto at Dudley Zoological Gardens.
10 Lords-a-Leaping
A festive favourite, Birmingham Royal Ballet return to Birmingham Hippodrome with Sir Peter Wright’s unparalleled, world-famous production of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker.
9 Ladies Dancing
There’ll be hundreds of ladies, men and children taking to the ice this Christmas in Birmingham, when the popular ice rink returns to Centenary Square; you’ll find it next to the 33m big wheel and near the hugely popular Frankfurt Christmas Market and Christmas Craft Market, which between them last year drew over 4 million visitors to the city.
http://events.birmingham.gov.uk
8 Maids-a-Milking
Make it a milk chocolatey Christmas with a visit to Cadbury World in Bournville, which will be transformed into a festive winter wonderland.
7 Swans-a-Swimming
As the swans glide past the banks of the river in Stratford-upon-Avon, head for the RSC and their fabulous production of Wendy & Peter Pan.
Elsewhere at the city region’s theatres, you can enjoy the Dickens classic A Christmas Carol at Birmingham REP, or Ghost The Musical at the New Alexandra Theatre.
http://www.birmingham-rep.co.uk
http://www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-alexandra-theatre-birmingham/
6 Geese-a-Laying
For a break from all the Christmas excitement, ‘lay’ back and relax at one of the city’s top spas such as Le Petit Spa at Malmaison, or re-energise in the fitness centre at Hilton Garden Inn, Brindleyplace.
http://www.malmaison.com/locations/birmingham/
5 Gold Rings
Add some sparkle to your Christmas shopping with a visit to the historic Jewellery Quarter. It’s where all the wise men go…
http://www.jewelleryquarter.net
4 Michelin Stars
Birmingham has more Michelin starred restaurants than any other English city outside London. In fact, as a city packed full of different cultures and nationalities, eating out in Birmingham and the region is like a gastronomic tour of the world. Frankly, it’s foodie heaven.
http://visitbirmingham.com/what-to-do/food-drink/
3 French Hens
From French Impressionists to the world famous collection of Pre-Raphaelite paintings, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery is the perfect way to while away a few hours.
2 Turtle Doves
See the fabulous Green Turtles at the National Sea Life Centre in Brindleyplace, where Santa will be helping to make it a ‘Merry Fish-mas’.
http://www.visitsealife.com/birmingham/
…and a bronze Bull in the Bullring
Birmingham is retail heaven – be it shopping for designer labels and high street names, visiting the dozens of independent retailers and intriguing arcades.
http://www.shoppinginbirmingham.com