The start of the festive season usually brings anticipation: warm mulled wine, twinkling lights and gatherings with friends in the crisp evening air. But for several communities in Germany, financial pressures have already taken the celebration off the agenda. Rising security costs — from fencing and access control to trained personnel — are putting a brake on cherished Christmas traditions.
Overath says goodbye to a long-standing holiday highlight
In Overath, a town in North Rhine-Westphalia, the annual Christmas market around St. Walburga Church had become a sentimental start to Advent for many families. But this year, there will be no food stalls, no lights and no festive music.
The city marketing association, which organised the event for years, can no longer afford the increasingly strict safety requirements. Previously, the organisation financed security through revenue from four other large events. Now, those proceeds have vanished while expenses have surged — including roughly €17,500 spent on security measures within the last 18 months alone.
To add to the challenge, a court ruling in Berlin states that municipalities cannot simply pass public safety obligations on to private organisers. In Overath’s case, the city declined to take on the extra cost. The result: cancellation instead of celebration.
Kerpen tries a workaround: rebranding instead of cancellation
Another community in North Rhine-Westphalia has chosen a different path. Kerpen is still planning a festive gathering — but under a new name: “Genussmarkt im Advent,” meaning an indulgence market during Advent.
By shifting the event away from the official “Christmas market” category and reducing the footprint, organisers hope to avoid expensive requirements such as more extensive barriers and additional security staff. The goal is to preserve the seasonal mood without sinking under administrative burdens.
More cancellations across Germany — and varied reasons behind them
Other regions are also seeing plans scaled back or abandoned entirely.
• In Rostock, the historical Christmas market in the IGA Park has been dropped, with a medieval-themed festival postponed to spring instead.
• In Hamburg-Rahlstedt, limited revenue and a shortage of vendors led to the market being scrapped.
• In Dortmund, restoration work at Schloss Bodelschwingh has pushed out the annual Christmas gathering traditionally held on its grounds.
Although the circumstances differ from place to place, one theme is consistent: rising costs and logistical strain are prompting local organisers to reassess whether they can continue long-standing seasonal attractions.
A broader stress test for German holiday traditions
Christmas markets are an essential element of winter culture in Germany — bringing tourism, community bonding and revenue for countless small businesses. Their cancellation marks not only a financial setback but also an emotional loss for many locals.
Whether other towns will follow depends on political support and whether authorities can balance security demands with the cultural importance of these gatherings. Without that cooperation, more communities may find themselves turning off the lights before the festivities even begin.
