Christmas markets - Dresden or Stuttgart (and surrounds)?

See my reply over on Fodors. Just want to add that you can fit in Dresden after Nuremberg - with pretty good train connections between them. Dresden to Munich is also doable by train or you fly.

I lived in Stuttgart for 7 months, I would recommend Dresden.

To be fair, I have not been to the Dresden market, but I have been to the Stuttgart one as well as the one in Esslingen.

We found the Stuttgart market very interesting, all the stands had different decorations on top of them which made it different the others we had been to. There was also a market from one of the Scandinavian countries (I forget which one) that was really cool to walk through. The day we were there there was also a huge antique market. So my little vintage heart was so excited to see that.

The next day we did Esslingen and that was so cool to see the middle ages market. I think that one was one of my favorites of the trip.

We also tried to do the Chocolate Festival in Tübingen, but we were there on the last day and it was packed. So if you are there before the last day, that would be a fun one to do. They light the town up like gingerbread.

Yes you can make Dresden work, but personally I don't like long travel days. I would rather be out and about then stressing out of train/plane connections.

I haven't been to Stuttgart, but just returned after spending 2 weeks in Saxony. It was very easy to fill our time visiting markets in that area, as well as museums and concerts. (In fact, we often wished we could have stayed longer!) Even though you are solo and can travel efficiently, I would recommend Stuttgart (and Esslingen) since they are closer to your established route. Plan your "next" Christmas market trip for Saxony, when you could concentrate on that area😊.

I loved the Stuttgart market. So lively and colorful, with each stand decorated and lit up and totally different from the stand next to it. It is spread out nicely, so never felt crowded. Lots of people agree with me too, on the various Xmas market forums I am on.
Esslingen is on my top ten markets list.

I’m just returning from the markets in Dresden and Leipzig, and visited the Stuttgart and Esslingen markets last year. They are all fantastic!

I agree with the other posters. Saxony is further away and deserves more time. The sights in Dresden are well worth at least three to four days and I regret having planned only two days to see them. Fabulous historical sights!

Both Stuttgart and Dresden main markets have nice wide alleys between the lines of market stalls, so the crowds are handled well, and both have their huts decorated beautifully with ornate scenes, often animated. Both have lovely tiered Christmas pyramids and antique carousels. Live music. Children’s areas. Great variety of foods. Adorable mugs.

Essligen is a medieval market that is an easy quick train ride from Stuttgart and is an incredible experience. They have a wonderful page on FB which posts a daily performance schedule. I’d like to go back and see that lovely little town during daylight hours.

It seems that medieval markets are quite popular and successful and offered in many cities now. The one in Dresden is located in a courtyard of the Dresden Castel, so admission of 5E is charged but very worthwhile. They are surrounded by high castle walls against which they project images of gently burning torches, waving medieval flags, and falling snow. Heck of an atmosphere!

They had musicians on Hurley-burleys, flutes and drums, and then a Celtic group which played very lively jigs to which all were dancing (except the group lounging in the public hot tubs, wearing rubber ducks on their heads).

The medieval markets in Leipzig and Dresden made special mugs of brown clay, no handles, cool etched designs and year on the outside, with an interior glaze. Really special souvenirs!

These markets are staffed by young people who seem to love dressing in period clothing and acting the part. I bet they do the Ren Faires in the summer! They were jovial and engaging.

Both cities had the separate Finnish markets, which featured a strong glögg and salmon grilled on planks - a refreshing change from bratwurst!

I flew from Frankfurt to Leipzig, took train to Dresden, then flew Dresden back to Frankfurt. (Also visited the Frankfurt market at the Römer because it’s a stunning location and easy to get to). The airports were easy to navigate and Lufthansa gave great service even in economy.

The Christmas ornaments were beautifully made of wood or straw but were too expensive for me. Instead, I bought some lovely books of printed paper from the Dresden Castle museum bookstore and am bringing it home to make paper crafting ornaments. My tree will have baroque-style ornaments, inspired by the Green Vault treasures, but I won’t go broke making them! Haha

Addition to the most recent post: The medieval market in Dresden only charges an entrance fee Friday through Sunday and 27th to 30th Dec. Free on other days.

@julie I think I will do Stuttgart and its surrounds.

I'd love to see Dresden but I think it is just far too out of the way to justify for this trip (I might save it for another time with Wroclaw in neighbouring Poland) and though Stuttgart itself doesn't interest me, Heidelberg and Esslingen look so charming and I feel almost rather attached to seeing them despite the high praises for Dresden :P

You might find that Stuttgart has more to it than you think it does. It has palaces, vineyards, and is an historic city.
One of our forum members used to do tours there of all the wonderful historic sites. Perhaps she will come on and add a few sightseeing tips. There is a guy on Trip Advisor that always has fantastic tips about what to see there. Really changed my mind about the city. I too, thought there wasn't much to see there, but I was wrong.