Time was not on my side this year to visit many markets, but there is always next year to visit more.
Favorite market this year was the medieval market at Ronneburg Castle. About an hour drive from Frankfurt and located right between Gelnhausen and Büdingen, they hold their market on 3 Advent weekends. Big plus here is that you can then visit the market in Büdingen on one of the weekends and the one in Gelnhausen the next. This is not an easy market to get to with public transportation. If you don't have a car, perhaps a taxi would be easiest. Huge parking lot, charging a 2€ fee. Entry to the market/castle is 3€. I got a .50€ reduction for being a senior.
The castle itself is a lovely, Staufen Castle. Mostly built in the 1200's and 1300's it should fulfill most peoples idea of what a castle should look like. Set up on a hill, it offers a commanding view of the countryside, especially if you have the nerves to climb to the top of the tower. Part of the market is outside with a lovely, hand carved carousel for the kids, and lots of drink, jewelry, and food. Once you enter the castle, the market goes from room to room and level to level. Made exploring lots of fun. Make sure you visit the 95m well near the entrance. Toss a bucket of water down and be amazed at how long you have to wait to hear it splash at the bottom. Light costs 50 cents, but is worth it. Most of the items at the stands looked handmade. Lots of medieval looking items of course in leather, metals, yarns, felt, etc. For kids there were wooden swords, helmets, shields and fancy hats. Lovely cake and coffee cafe up in an upper room that looked like they used it for events/receptions and a harpist playing the whole time. Very atmospheric. There is a large restaurant with pricey food next to the castle and the whole place looks like they use it for corporate parties, team building events, etc. A falconry is there as well as hang-gliding.
This market is a keeper and I hope to go back next year as we enjoyed it so much.
http://www.burg-ronneburg.de/
Next market was Michelstadt. Have had this town on my list to visit for a long time and was happy to finally get there. We purchased a Hessen ticket for 34 euro and took a regional train directly there. Took a bit over an hour. The old town area is a good 10-15 min. walk from the train station. The decorations were lovely, the market wound around various streets, adding to the atmosphere. Had some of the best potato pancakes there. Very crispy, and flavorful. The town looked like it had lots of cosy, pretty hotels with adjoining restaurants. I wouldn't mind staying there for the weekend. Plenty of half-timbered buildings and the town hall was built in 1484. Don't be fooled by the half 8's used as 4's in the middles ages. The church was pretty, but nothing exceptional. We found a beautiful little synagogue with a passionate curator. It is mainly used as a museum, but he said they did have a community of 17 that met there. Mainly Russian immigrants.
Lastly, we will do the Frankfurt market again cause I enjoy it. I think they go through more glühwein than any other market! It is the laughing market. Hand crafts are in the area around the Paulskirche, with puppets, felt, jewelry, nativity items from Tirol, pottery, hand knit items, and wooden toys. The planked salmon from the Rosa market was great. Best potato pancakes here are near the river. Best bratwursts too.
Might still squeeze in Speyer next week as they are open until 8 Jan. If I do, will add on to this of course. Sad not to make it to Marburg and Limburg as that was planned.