Festive Gift Fair 2026

The Festive Gift Fair is back at the NEC from Thursday 19 to Sunday 22 November, taking over Halls 17 and 18. This year is the 30th anniversary of the event, which the organisers call the most popular Christmas fair in the Midlands. It's run by Orchard Events Ltd and brings 325 stalls under one roof, so you can get a fair bit of your Christmas shopping sorted in one go.

Inside, the stalls cover stocking fillers, presents, craft inspiration, festive food and drink samples, and Christmas decorations. It's a big one — they usually draw around 30,000 people over the four days. There's also a line-up of musicians playing throughout, and all the entertainment is included in the ticket price.

It's not just about the shopping, though. You'll be greeted by festive characters, including Father Christmas in his sleigh, The Grinch, and stilt walkers. If you're coming by train, the NEC is a five-minute covered walk from Birmingham International Station. If you're driving, there's on-site parking and a free shuttle bus running between the car parks. There's a cloakroom on hand, which charges £2 per coat and £3 per bag, though they don't offer overnight storage.

The fair runs daily from 9:30am to 5:00pm, and adult tickets range from £8 to £14, plus a transaction fee.