He said the majority of the stall-holders were German, but some were English students on vacation jobs or Polish people living in the city.

Cabinet member for leisure, culture and sport, Coun Martin Mullaney, said the market was a vital part of the calendar.

“Last year it attracted a record 2.8 million visitors and boosted the city’s economy by £67 million,” he said.

Last year it was the fifth largest German market in the world but this year Birmingham is set to leapfrog into third spot.

Jennifer Crisp, international officer for Birmingham City Council, said planning began in January.

“We’ve had this market for nine years and the stall-holders now regard Birmingham as a second home,” she said.

Opening for the first time this year is an indoor cafe at the bottom of New Street.

Lord Mayor Michael Wilkes, the German Ambassador to the UK, Georg Boomgaarden and German pop sensation Patrick Lindner were due to officially the market at 5.30pm today.

* It runs until December 23 from 10am to 9pm.