Request for Christmas market recommendations

Why not trying Northern Germany? Base in Hamburg and visit:

• Historical market at city hall
• Lübeck (day trip)
• Bremen's Schlachte-Zauber (day trip)
• Schwerin market and castle (day trip)

Or check these markets in state NRW:
https://www.nrw-tourism.com/christmas-markets/castles

Interesting suggestion! I've always - probably unfairly - somewhat written off these areas of northern Germany as a bit more industrial and gritty and "ugly", but as I say this is probably not a fair assessment of these places. I don't often see these cities recommended, but I'll look into them. Thank you :)

I'm open to places that are off the beaten track

I don't often see these cities recommended

Well, one causes the other. Lübeck is a tip since decades but not in your cultural bubble (not meant negatively). A lot of bus tours from Scandinavian countries have the markets of Lübeck as destination.

I live in Hamburg, and I can assure you that while it doesn't have the traditional historic square that say Prague or Vienna have, that's because its heart was always the waterfront! It is a beautiful part of the world, and Hamburg was actually the second ever winner of the European Green Capital awards and has won several other green / sustainable awards. It is over 40% park/forest/recreational green space and home to ice age sand dunes, river beaches, and apple orchards. The lack of a classic old town and its modern working port (not picturesque, but interesting and, as far as ports go less gritty than one would think) make it less "old world charming," but it is no less interesting and absolutely a clean, exciting, historic city surrounded by charming villages in a less densely populated region.

For markets, Hamburg itself is only fair, but the day trips to Bremen, Lübeck, Schwerin, and Lüneburg--all four very different in their character and all four WELL worth a visit. We go to Bremen every year--it's on the MUST list for us. The northern markets, like any markets, can be a bit crowded, though mostly day travellers and locals--and if you go during the week, they are VERY reasonable. None of those cities is particularly gritty or industrial, either--I think you will love them, both for themselves and for their markets.

For Hamburg itself the main market tends to be crowded on weekends, but the flying Santa is cool. For other markets, you could visit the spicy Santa Pauli or the Winterwald at Gerhard Hauptmann Platz or the Pride market or get a Glühwein at the Estonian stand in Ottensen. The Christmas lights at the Botanischer Garten might also be fun, and of course Miniatur Wunderland at Christmas!

If you wanted to go a bit further afield, the Harz might be an interesting option. Like Rothenburg ob der Tauber, it's a bit far from anything major, but it's a region rather than a single town.

Another option: We based in Basel (German-speaking) and took day trips by train. One to Colmar (great Christmas market but avoid it on weekends) and Lucerne (smaller but fun Christmas Market and also enjoyed exploring around the city and had a nice view of the Alps). We also based in Freiburg im Breisgau. I really enjoyed the Christmas Markets there; they were more low-key, more local feel, but very nice. We took the train to Baden Baden and really enjoyed that market as well.

Thanks HowlinMad; that's all really useful! I really appreciate your in-depth recommendations. I will have to look quite seriously at northern Germany! Presumably if I were to try to catch Bremen, Lübeck, Schwerin and Lüneburg all in one trip, it would be worth getting a Deutschlandticket, both for price and flexibility.

And thanks padams too! I've actually been to Basel briefly before (only didn't mention it because it's Switzerland rather than Germany/Austria), but it's a very interesting corner of Europe so it's worth considering again. I've never been to either Colmar or Lucerne; I'll look into them - great to hear they have good markets.

My family visits Christmas markets almost every year. Our favorite is Dresden! The best is the famous Striezelmarkt but there are others too including a Medieval Market where my husband tries his archery skills. Be sure to get a Dresden stollen (they were invented here) and wooden decorations from the nearby Ore Mountains. All the huts are decorated uniquely and the food is great.
The Christmas market at Rothenberg Ober Taber is so so. The stand out reason to visit is to see the town and shop in the Kathe Wohlfahrt stores. They originated there and are completely awesome with some of the best decorations in Germany. It is almost a Christmas overload!
An off the beaten track is the town of Erfurt which you can do by train between Dresden and Frankfurt. There market is in the city square overlooked by two cathedrals, a stunning sight at night (especially from the Ferris wheel.) The town is written up in Rick Steve’s guidebook as a Martin Luther town and has interesting sights.

Logistically the easiest way to do this is pick a part of the country and do what's local. And you have some very good suggestions for doing just that already. I live across the border in Germany from the French Alsace-Lorraine, which gets a large number of tourists (and recommendations) for the Christmas Markets. And they are good, but there's an obvious difference between the French and German celebrations which I can't explain, and really does stand out. Take for example Strasbourg vs. Freiburg, cities that are only 20 miles apart, and yet the markets and decor are very different. You've been to Freiburg, so that may be a good starting point, because there's a lot going on down in that corner in December. And that would give you the ability to compare the various events, and even include Austria or Switzerland (which are also culturally influenced. )

Here's a list of places I visited last year, and I can speak about the markets in most of the major cities in Germany south of Koln.
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/germany/freiburg-christmas-market