Festive Gift Fair turns 30!
The Festive Gift Fair is returning to the NEC Birmingham from Thursday 19 to Sunday November 22 2026, celebrating its landmark 30th anniversary.
For 30 years the fair has been the annual tradition that kicks off Christmas for thousands of shoppers: four spectacular days of shopping, food, drink and live festive entertainment.
This year the fair moves into Hall 17, a larger hall to celebrate 30 years in style.
Visitors can browse 325 eclectic stalls brimming over with thousands of unusual gifts, affordable presents, gorgeous decorations, jewellery, crafts, fashion, beauty, toys and artisan food and drink, an eclectic mix of brands from across the UK and beyond, with something for every age, taste and budget, all under one roof. From the moment you arrive you'll be caught up in the fabulous festive atmosphere: an Aladdin's cave of sparkling stalls offering more choice, more variety and more fun than the high street.
Organiser Nicky Stephenson, who has run the fair since it began in 1996 and now works alongside her daughter, said: "Reaching 30 years is really special. Many of our visitors first came with their mum or grandma and now bring their own children, it's become the day Christmas starts for thousands of Midlands families."
No other indoor Christmas fair in the UK has as much live entertainment, all included in the ticket. Visitors can meet Father Christmas with his spectacular sleigh, watch out for The Grinch up to his usual menacing antics, and enjoy live music all day from The Vinylettes, The Base Tones and Sunny Side Up. New for 2026 are a stilt walking drumming Toy Soldier and a Vintage Selfie Booth, joining the Giant Snow Globe for the perfect festive photo. The Sparkle Cafe and Festive Food Village serve everything from prosecco to brownies, cheese to chutneys and chocolates to champagne, while a Present Creche lets shoppers drop their bags and keep browsing. Three enormous Santa Sacks full of goodies are won by lucky shoppers every day.
The Festive Gift Fair runs November 19 to 22, 2026, 9.30am to 5pm daily, at Hall 17, NEC Birmingham.
Tickets start from £8, with a Buy 3 Get 1 Free offer on Thursday and Friday adult full day tickets. All tickets are subject to a £1.50 transaction fee. The event is advance booking only, with no tickets available on the door. Book at festivegiftfair.seetickets.com or visit www.festivegiftfair.co.uk