Christmas Market Nuremberg to Frankfut

I would think that on the Main, you would visit Seligenstadt, Aschaffenburg, and Würzburg, as well as Frankfurt. Certain sections of the Frankfurt market have hand-made items, and that is mainly over on the Paulsplatz area, but also some up around the Hauptwache. If the abbey in Seligenstadt is having their market inside, that is all hand-crafted items. The town of Seligenstadt has plenty of small gift shops around the Alt Stadt and the town itself is charming. It has been a few years since I was at the Aschaffenburg market so can't comment on it nor on Würzburg, but I am sure they have stands selling quality, hand made stuff. Walk around and look and you can tell easily.

I have bought many nice Christmas items in Nuremberg over the years. The places that have the most items from the Ore Mountains are further north, Erfurt and Dresden.

Nürnberg use to have German made items in a craft fair area near the train station.

Würzburg has had a craft fair at times in the Rathaus (town hall). When in Würzburg, I most enjoyed visits to the castle (Marienberg Festung) with its museum, and to the pilgrimage church (Käppele), both across the Main River. The Residenz in town is most folk's favorite stop.

I remember no such craft area in Aschaffenburg but it is one of our favorite stops as it has a local feeling. It has crowds but they are not crushing.

We go to the Christmas Markets for the atmosphere rather than shopping. You might query the local tourist office for which shops in these towns might sell items from the Erzgebirge.

It would help if you posted an itinerary of the cruise. Nuremberg and Wurzburg, being the two largest cities in that general area should have locally made items available. There are always smaller, local, markets that have specific wares. Last year I attended one outside a small town in the local forest that was all about wild game and local crafts and preserves, and another that was in a smaller town specifically specializing in art and handicrafts. But those are the ones you usually cannot get to by river boat and you have to do some research. I'm planning on going with friends to a medieval themed market this year, based on another recommendation.

You should also look at what the towns and regions are known for, as you can usually find local stuff at the markets. For example, there are two towns about an hour south of me, over the border in France, that specialize in pottery. The markets in the area around Hagenau have booths with these items at their markets. Likewise, if you're at a market south of Karlsruhe you can find the hand carved wooden figures common to the Black Forest. Up around Solingen you look for Kitchenware (and Gummi Bears). Most of the local artists don't travel far.

Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences.

Here is where we are stopping. Nuremberg, Bamberg, Rothenburg (I’m very happy about this stop!) Wurzburg, Wertheim and Frankfurt.

This was a bonus trip for us. I look forward to just enjoying the local vibe of the markets. I also plan on buying items that are unique to the markets for Christmas presents. I went full shopper tilt on the RS tour- It was a pain, this trip I’ll be more restrained. Hahaha. I’m bringing bubble wrap and tape just in case. I’ll need it for my gluewein mugs!

Remember, for your Glühwein mugs, you can trade your sticky mug in for a clean one. Just ask. You don't have to walk around with a dirty mug all night. Walk around and see which mugs the stands are using. For Feuerstange Bowle, the mugs are often quite different. At medieval markets, they will be different. Some stands will be trying to get rid of last years mugs, so check the dates on them.