Germany CANCELS Christmas markets – what is the truth behind this news
Posts have spread on social media claiming that Germany has canceled Christmas markets due to terrorism fears and rising security costs, but these claims are false. The fact-checking unit at DW revealed that most traditional Advent markets in Germany will take place as usual, with some new security measures being introduced instead of canceling them.
Germany hosts more than 2,500 Christmas markets annually, attracting millions of visitors from around the world. Among the most notable is the Striezelmarkt in Dresden, one of the oldest and most famous markets, set to open on November 26 with an expected attendance of 2.5 million visitors. Major cities like Berlin, Leipzig, Cologne, Frankfurt, and Hamburg are also preparing to hold their festive markets as usual. Only a limited number of small markets have been canceled for local reasons unrelated to terrorism.
For example, the historical market in the city of Rostock will not take place this year 2025, after it was also canceled last year. In the district of Rahlstedt in Hamburg, the local market was canceled due to weak profits for traders last year. The Christmas market at Bodelschwingh Castle in Dortmund has also been canceled for 2025 and 2026 due to ongoing restoration work at the castle. These limited cases do not in any way mean the cancellation of markets nationwide.
It seems that the rumor started from an article published by Duna Press titled "Germany Cancels Christmas Markets 2025." The article relied on non-existent cities like "Rheinfeld" and claimed that organizers in small towns could not bear the high security costs after terrorist attacks. However, the authorities in Schongau, Dormagen, and Rheinfelden all confirmed that the Christmas markets would take place as usual. DW also discovered that the city of "Rheinfeld" does not actually exist and that Duna Press used AI-generated images and questionable sources.
Despite the increase in security costs since the attacks in Berlin in 2016 and Magdeburg in 2024, officials have confirmed that markets will continue with the implementation of usual preventive measures such as concrete barriers, bag checks, camera surveillance, and organized entry points. In some small towns, municipalities contribute to covering part of the costs to ensure the continuation of these events. Despite the increase in security expenses, there are no signs of a widespread cancellation of Christmas markets — Christmas celebrations in Germany are still strong.