Overview
- National bodies including the Deutscher Schaustellerbund and Deutscher Städtetag report no mass cancellations, a ZDFheute fact-check confirms, and GEMA sees no drop in market music registrations.
- Security spending has climbed sharply, with Magdeburg’s bill nearly doubling to about €150,000 and Berlin’s new KaDeWe market citing a high five‑figure safety outlay.
- Some events have been scrapped or wound down: Overath’s market was canceled after organizers said they faced €17,500 in terror‑defense costs, Hamburg‑Rahlstedt’s ‘Winterterrassen’ closed permanently, and Berlin‑Kladow’s Christkindlmarkt says 2025 will be its last edition.
- Cities are adapting operations to keep larger markets moving, as Düsseldorf readies street closures on peak days, expands Park‑and‑Ride options and urges travel by public transport.
- Seasonal traditions continue widely, from packed St. Martin lantern processions in NRW to the return of Cologne’s queer ‘Heavenue’ on Friesenplatz from November 17 under a new multi‑year permit.