Dresden in december

I visited Dresden in December some 10 years ago and enjoyed it immensely. Here were the top things I saw:
1. Green Vault
2 Fauenkirche (including climbing to the top)
3. Zwinger museums (including art and porcelain)

There's quite a bit to choose from in Dresden. Not sure what would interests YOU... So have a look at what's on offer from the Dresden Tourist office and see what pops out at you.

https://www.dresden.de/en/tourism/attractions/sights/top-ten.php

https://www.dresden.de/apps_ext/MuseenApp_en/index

A good source of comments from your fellow travelers on Dresden's offerings: traveler reviews on Tripadvisor:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g187399-Activities-oa0-Dresden_Saxony.html

There's a Dresden page here on the site:
https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/germany/dresden

We have been in Dresden the last three Decembers. Museums would be the first choice after the Christmas Markets. We stay for 3 days winter or summer. You will need 2 days for the Markets if your into Christmas. We are that's why we stay 3 days. This year we are also heading up to Seiffen Germany about an hour away by car. Dresden is a great city, but you need to read and watch video about the things it has to offer.

We were there in 2019 in the days leading up to Christmas. It was special. There are several markets and rather than pick one, do three or four. There are swell museums (Green Vault is great) to fit most tastes. The Lutheran Cathedral and the CAtholic Cathedral are worthy of visits. The Lutheran Cathedral is right in front of a very good market and the another very large market is across the bridge from the Catholic cathedral.

With two days (full days? Or only two nights, meaning an afternoon plus a full day and an early departure the third day?) you can barely scratch the surface.

I don't know if you are aware of the fact that there are several Christmas markets in Dresden's city centre (not to mention those in the outskirts) and each is of different character. You will certainly visit the Striezelmarkt at Altmarkt square, but don't miss the market on Neumarkt square (ambience of about 1900) and the medieval themed one in the Stallhof (former Royal stables) courtyard. I highly recommend to visit also the Augustusmarkt across the river along the pedestrian zone Hauptstraße - with the white tents instead wooden stalls very elegant and with different food/goods (more international.)

As for other activities, you already got lots of information. The State Art collections are a must (Green Vaults, Armory in the Royal Palace, Picture Gallery Old Masters, Porcelain collection and historic scientific instruments/watches in the Zwinger, Picture Gallery New Masters with special exhibit on Caspar David Friedrich, the great German romantic era painter in the Albertinum) and include the often overlooked folk art museum (across the river) which is particularly beautiful at Advent/Christmas season with special exhibits.

Frauenkirche and catholic cathedral are other must see buildings. So is the Semper Opera house (tours), but I prefer attending a performance there. For the evenings (or other times of the day) I recommend attending a concert in one of the churches e.g. (have a look at Kreuzkirche, too, with the famous boys choir). Another option would be a lunch or dinner cruise on the river with typical food and mulled wine.

I doubt there will be time for an excursion.