A POPULAR Christmas market is returning after it was axed due to the escalating Covid-19 pandemic last year.

Birmingham's renowned Frankfurt Christmas Market will be bringing some much needed festive cheer to visitors from November.

This year marks the market's 21st year, with stalls offering a wide selection of food and drink, traditional toys, ornaments and gifts.

The market will open on Thursday, November 4, bringing with it the smell of hot gluhwein, schnitzel and spicy sausage, which will fill New Street and Victoria Square for seven weeks. The market will end of Thursday, December 23.

Due to planned public realm works around Victoria Square - Birmingham City Council says the market will have fewer stalls this year. They have also said the event does come with the caveat of change or cancellation, should Covid restrictions come back into effect during the winter.

The big wheel and ice rink is also due return to Centenary Square and run from 4 November 2021 until 9 January 2022, between 10am and 10pm, except on Christmas Day.