The Birmingham Christmas Markets have gained a strong reputation, often making rounds on social media. When organizing a meet-up with my university friend, we opted for Birmingham due to its central location for both of us, coming from Manchester and Cardiff. Birmingham turned out to be even busier and rainier than Manchester, surprising me.
The train journey itself was a crowded experience, with people almost sitting on top of me due to the lack of space in the aisles. The continuous rain made browsing the market stalls almost impossible, and the city was bustling beyond anything I had seen before, rivaling even London in its activity.
Navigating through the crowds around the stalls and reaching the Bull Ring shopping center proved to be a daunting task. Despite the picturesque scenes I had seen on TikTok, the reality was far from serene, with the city’s hustle and bustle persisting throughout the day.
While the festive ambiance of the markets was charming, finding respite from the rain was a challenge as every covered bar was packed. Even my first taste of Bratwurst failed to impress, leading me to abandon it after just a few bites due to the overwhelming crowds at every dining spot we tried.
The relentless rain left me feeling like a drowned rat, with my hair frizzing uncontrollably. Walking through puddles caused the dye from my shoes to leak onto my socks, creating an unpleasant experience that was exacerbated by the unfavorable weather conditions.
Although one cannot control the weather, the overwhelming crowds in Birmingham left me genuinely surprised. My friend faced travel disruptions, with her train canceled from Cardiff, forcing her to endure a lengthy two-hour drive instead.
After spending the day in the crowded city, the highlight was catching up with my university friend amidst the chaos. Returning home to a hot shower was a comforting end to a cold and damp day, prompting the decision to visit Birmingham when the Christmas markets are no longer in full swing next time.