What sort of help are you looking for?

IMO a LOT of those markets end up being VERY similar in many ways. You don't need to see them all; a lot of the "charm" seems to be connected to the towns in which they are located and some, those in the larger cities such as Berlin, are MUCH more extensive and actually do have some different types of vendors.

Berlin's was actually one of my favorite out of all the countries I've been too, which was surprising to me. Wro

Worth checking out**

Munich,Mainz and Weisbaden are always worthwhile!
Its all about the Gluwhein anyway

I went to the Christmas Markets in Brussels, Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp and Cologne last year, (was in Amsterdam also but didn't see a Christmas market). Cologne is head and shoulders above anything I saw in Belgium. They have Eight separate markets, all with different themes. Walking a circuitous route from my hotel (Cologne Renaissance)to the Cathedral, and around the shopping street (about 3 miles total walking) I was able to hit 5 different markets. It was really worthwhile.

Paris has a pretty good Christmas market near La Defense. Nuremberg is probably the best in Germany and Munich is great, but they are a long way from France/Belguim. Strasbourg has a great Market if you get to that part of France.

I think many of the markets in Germany are similar. Mainz is quite a big market. In Wiesbaden they often have 2 -3 markets in different squares or in the pedestrian zone, in the main street (it's often different). Everyone raves about Nuremberg (Nürnberg), which is probably the biggest, but I think for contrast you should visit Dresden, which is the 'original' Christmas market. I also like Paderborn, in the north - not many tourists make it there and it is a bit different to many of the others I've seen (although Paderborn is not such a tourist town). If you are going to the Netherlands, Maastricht is very pretty in the winter due to the lights they put up in the shopping streets. I don't think they have a Christmas market, it's just a nice atmosphere ('gezellig').

Lavandula

Hi, we went on our big trip last year. I was looking forward to Christmas markets (never been to one before but heard a lot about them) When we were in Germanyan other places where they have Christmas markets it was too early in the season so we ended up in Mullhouse, FR. It was not massive, but it filled the town square and was wonderful. The big buildings around it were all lit up and draped in crimson fabric and the smell of cinnamon and hot wine and cider were fantastic. Our daughters were thrilled with the Christmas lights too. A restaurant which faces onto the square had the most amazing meals too. Apparently Strasburg, near the German border has a big Christmas market (since 1570!) and it would be easy to get to! Have fun planning.

Our family had a beautiful Bavarian Christmas a few years ago. We started with a wander along some of the chocolate-box villages of the Romantic Road, highlights being Rothenberg with its Nightwatchman's Tour and three storey Wolfenkart Christmas shop, and Dinkelsbuhl and Fussen. Each village had its own Christmas market. We stayed four nights at Hotel Mueller at the base of the two castles, Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein. We visited them on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. The Mueller was excellent - great food, really friendly service, and gifts for everyone at the Christmas Eve Dinner. They also offered a shuttle to midnight mass on Christmas Eve, and a ride through the countryside on one-horse open sleigh! We took a cablecar ride up Mt Tegelberg and swam in the Royal Crystal salt spa baths to warm up. There's a lot to do in that area, so you may be squeezing it in the 12 day timeframe, but you could spend a few days there, then move to Strabourg over the border, and then train to Brussels/Bruges for your last couple of nights.

I agree with Duckey that the Christmas markets get their charm from the locale.

The big ones in Munich and Nuremburg are fun to wander. In Munich there is the big one at Marienplatz then the creche market a blockt away then the mideavel one a few blocks away. We have gone several times aned we rarely buy anything onter than food but it is a lot of fun to just experience it.

Rothenburg is a great setting for a small market. Salzburg has a nice little market also.

Here's a link to my Christmas markets trip report from a few years ago, with links to the websites of the markets we visited:

http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/christmas-markets-trip-report.cfm

There are bigger and more famous markets than the ones we went to, but if you're planning on also seeing Belgium, the Netherlands, and France within 12 days, then it will make more sense to try the markets in the western Germany region, such as Cologne (that was the one I liked the most).

<Berlin's was actually one of my favorite out of all the countries I've been too, which was surprising to me>

I agree and after 7 trips to Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic for markets, Berlin is an all time favorite for the quality of the markets as well as the city itself.

My favorite little markets are in Idstein and Buedingen. The town itself makes the atomosphere, but they are only held on one weekend. If you make it to Seligenstadt during the weekend when they hold the artists Advent market in the Abbey, that is well worth a visit.

A bit larger market would be Bad Homburg, but it is only held on the weekends during Advent. Quality items, nice atmosphere, and beautiful as the town is nestled into the Taunus Mountains.

I quite enjoy the Christmas market in Frankfurt. As one of the oldest, begun in 1393, it is also scenic and a lot of fun. Go there on Wed. or Sat. when the brass band plays from the gallery of the Alte Nikolai.

Visited Heidelberg, Mainz and Wiesbaden last year, and though very nice, they weren't that outstanding. Aschafenburg was a bit of a let down, though nice enough for a small market. For pure decoration extravaganza, and a lovely location, then Ruedesheim might be fun. I just didn't care for the many, many tacky items for sale. The town does go all out though with the decor and the chair lift is fun to ride close to dusk as it looks out over the Rhein.

Thank you so much for all the wonderful insight! Since we are traveling over the holidays with Christmas and New years. We are worried that some places will be closed on certain days, like Christmas Eve and Day. Can anyone give advice on that?

Thanks!

Yes, all restaurants, tourist attractions and stores will shut down on the 24th, usually around 1400. Most museums will be closed on the 24th, and have a staggered schedule for the 25th and 26th.

If you want a meal on Christmas Eve, it is best to make reservations at your hotel, or if possible be at some sort of resort which will offer a Christmas package. Public transportation will be on a very slow holiday schedule, but most of it will be up and running.

The 25th and 26th are official holidays, so stores will be closed. Check individual tourist attractions for their holiday schedules. Some small businesses and restaurants simply shut down over the 2 week holiday.

New Years Eve, you should probably make reservations too. Germany just explodes with millions of euros worth of fireworks that everybody lets off at midnight. Watch out for the drunks and their fireworks. Any open platz in the city is fair game.

I don't know that all tourist attractions shut down. In salzburg, we did the Sound of Music tour on the 25th and the salt mines on the 26th

We visited Christmas markets 3 times in recent years and are going back this year. It is a great time to visit, seeing sights during the day and strolling the markets in the evening. Our last visit was Advent season 2010:

http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/advent-2010.cfm

As others have said, we pick our destinations by the towns that we want to see and take the markets as a bonus. We liked Stuttgart, Munich and Nuremberg larger markets well enough but preferred small towns: Würzburg, Bamberg, Rothenburg, Regensburg, etc.

Regards, Gary