Christmas in Germany...but where?!

Also, I'm trying to avoid the GIGANTIC Christmas markets like Nuremburg, so it would be neat if anyone knows of some smaller ones within reach of a big city like going to Bamberg, but staying in Nuremberg. Catch my drift?

I am not super experienced but really enjoyed the Mainz and Wiesbaden christmas markets when I was there last year, and those are smaller towns a short train ride from Frankfurt.

Most of the Christmas markets will be shut down before the 24th anyway. I know the Frankfurt market closes on the 22nd. This is to let the people close their stands and get back home in time for the 24th. This is the day when everything in Germany kind of shuts down around 1400. I don't think any of the churches in Germany are so famous that you would have to wait hours to get in, especially for midnight mass. Most churches will have something happening on all 3 days. If you are in a larger city, you may also find English language services. You might look for one of the ski resort areas, which will have programs for the holidays, offer a lovely meal on the 24th as well as on the 25th, and that will also have snow. Much of Germany doesn't get very much snow in Dec. though that is completely unpredictable.

Thanks for all the advice you guys! I'll keep you posted on what we eventually settle on, but all of your suggestions sound so lovely.

You could consider going just across the border to Salzburg