Birmingham German Market ranks in top 10 of UK’s most affordable Christmas attractions - despite its beer being among the most expensive
Compare the Market has ranked the Birmingham German Market among one of the UK’s cheapest UK attractions - despite the cost of a pint of beer
It’s one of the most popular Christmas attractions in the UK visited by thousands of people each year.
But Birmingham’s German Market isn’t always considered the most affordable of festive treats in the West Midlands.
But a new study by the Compare the Market credit card team has ranked it as the seventh most affordable Christmas market in the UK - despite the £7 price tag for a pint of beer, £6.50 for a mulled wine and £5 for a hot chocolate.
Manchester and London don’t feature in the top 10 affordability rankings - which you can see in full below.
But Birmingham is considered cheaper than Glasgow, Cardiff and Winchester - but not as cheap as Southampton - which is the UK’s most affordable according to this research.
Swansea, Oban, Aberdeen, Aberglasney and Nottingham have also been found to be cheaper than Birmingham.
It seems that the £165 average cost for overnight accommodation is what has helped get Birmingham into the affordability league table.
See the table here:
Key highlights from the study, according to Compare the Market
Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas market has ranked as the seventh most affordable in the UK, with an average accommodation price for one night at £165. Additionally, the average price of a beer (£7), mulled wine (£6.50), and crepes (£4.50) remained lower.
Southampton Christmas market ranks as the UK’s most affordable Christmas market of 2025. With an average accommodation price of £105, the most affordable of all cities within the ranking. It also has cheaper average food prices, £6 for a bratwurst and £5 for a crepe.
Data reveals the UK is home to four of the most affordable Christmas markets, but both Wales and Scotland have three markets featured within the top 10, including Swansea Christmas market, Aberdeen Christmas village and Glasgow Christmas Winterfest.
Research showed that Oban winter festival is home to the most affordable pint, at an average of just £3. In contrast, Birmingham has the most expensive pint in the top 10 ranking at £7 per pint.
A spokesperson for Compare the Market said: “With Christmas on the way and celebrations filling the calendar, spending can rise at this time of year.
“From gift shopping to festive get-togethers, costs tend to add up quickly, so finding good value on winter getaways and market trips matters more than ever.
“To help Brits enjoy twinkling lights, mulled wine and festive treats without stretching their budgets, the Compare the Market credit card team analysed accommodation prices and the average cost of mulled wine, beer, hot chocolate, bratwurst and crêpes across 24 of the UK’s most popular cities. The findings reveal some of the more affordable Christmas markets to visit this year.”
Charlie Evans, credit card expert at Compare the Market, added: “Christmas markets should be about festive fun, not financial stress. Setting a clear spending limit before you arrive for food, gifts or entertainment could help keep your budget on track and make it easier to avoid impulse purchases.”
