Help with Germany christmas itinerary

Is this for 2025 or 2024? I ask because you may have a problem finding reasonably prices hotels for 2024. When I planned my trip, a few years ago, I found many hotels booked up by June, especially on the weekends.
I'll attach my Trip Report, and perhaps you'll find some useful info.
Have a magical trip. Safe travels!

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/christmas-markets-switzerland-france-germany-2019

Christmas markets are not all exactly the same, but it's fair to say that they all do have much in common. So I suggest that you look carefully at the OTHER sights and experiences that you want to have in Germany before choosing places to stay and visit. 2 weeks just for Christmas markets alone is overkill, IMO.

If the travel distances concern you, consider dropping Cologne, which is a large detour from the other destinations you have in mind. And with that additional time on your hands, Nuremberg could definitely benefit from an additional 1-2 nights... BAMBERG, with its UNESCO World Heritage medieval town center, would be a solid day trip option from there. Consider also some additional time and daytrips from Munich... Augsburg and Landshut could be daytrip material too.

I don‘t like the Main Christmas Market at Cologne Dom. It‘s cramped and overcrowded.
Mittelalterlicher Christmas Markt in Siegburg (between Frankfurt and Cologne) is a special and very nice.
Mainz (near Frankfurt) offers a nice Christmas Market.
Düsseldorf - I like this Markets much, but it‘ s a big town and the nicest Market is at Castle Benrath. This is not in the Central City.
The Christmas Market in Oberhausen beside the CENTRO (Centro is the name of a big Shopping Mall)- I like it very much. Friday and saturday it was cramped and overcrowded. I guess monday to wednesday would be a better choice.

Munich city center in my opinion very boaring. Maybe some nice Christmas Markets in other parts from Munich, but I can not help, sorry.

Hi Pat, yes this trip is for 2024. I know I am starting relatively late, but due to other trip commitments, this is the earliest I can plan Germany Christmas trip. I did look up many hotels via Bookings, and they all had similar priced hotels for early December - price ranged from 120 - 200Euro range.. Is that too much?? What is considered "reasonable price hotels?"

Hi Russ, thank you for that recommendation. I did look up Bamberg - wasn't even on my radar.. looks amazing.. Same with Augsburg and Landshut. Yes I agree, 2 weeks seem long, but with all these day trips, don't know how to shorten it... still got some work to do.. LOL..

And thank you Fjord.. it's interesting you didn't like Cologne market.. Was it just the crowds??? And interesting to know about Munich markets as well...

If you drop Cologne and stayed in Frankfurt, you could do some day trips to some really beautiful markets - Limburg, Marburg, Mainz, Wiesbaden, Rüdesheim, Michelstadt, or on certain weekends towns like Büdingen, Idstein, or Bad Homburg.

I also found the market in Munich to just be ok, nothing exciting, and I adore going to markets and often go to the same ones each year cause I like them that much.

Gene,
I found having hotels adjacent to the center of the old towns to be priceless, and in euros I would expect them to be at least 200 nite. It was delightful to return to the hotel midday to get off one's feet and warm up. Check the locations of the hotels you're researching regarding distance from the markets and transportation lines. Once you have done your research, book directly with the hotels for the best prices.
What is your final itinerary?

I did look up Bamberg - wasn't even on my radar.. looks amazing..

Please go and try the smoked beer.

It appears many are advocating to drop Cologne..
Cologne is only 60 to 90 min from Frankfurt - so it doesn't seem that far off..
is Cologne Christmas market not as good as others??

Hi Pat, I still haven't finalized my itinerary yet..
I did try to purchase the flight starting on Dec 3... it seem still high..

Anybody have experience on purchasing flights for Black Friday sale?? I heard United have 30% off every Black Friday starting around 6 weeks before the Black Friday.. Should I wait for the sale?? or just get it now.. makes me nervous, not finalizing my trip this close to the date..
thanks..