Christmas may still be months away, but Germany’s supermarkets are already filled with gingerbread, advent calendars and festive decorations. The country’s prestigious Christmas markets are also preparing to open soon.
Yet, a viral claim circulating on social media suggests that all Christmas markets in Germany have been canceled for 2025. DW Fact Check investigated the viral claim and the origin behind it.
claim: a video on tiktok The post, with the headline “With Christmas just around the corner, Germany is canceling its markets… and it looks like other places in Europe are going to do the same,” has been viewed more than 600,000 times. Another widely shared post on x (formerly Twitter)’s claim: “Hundreds of Christmas markets canceled in Germany,” was viewed more than 440,000 times. Some users have even gone so far as to claim: “Germany canceled Christmas” – a phrase seen in the viral post on Instagram And x More than five lakh views.
DW Fact Check: false
Germany hosts over 2500 Christmas markets annually, known locally as Adventsmarkt, Christkindlmarkt or Christmas markets. The Striezelmarkt in Dresden (title picture) alone fascinates 2.5 million visitors Every year. Although small local markets have been canceled individually, there is no evidence of widespread closures across the country – nor any official confirmation.
Most markets are scheduled to open from the end of November. berlin Over 60 markets will be hosted this year alone, with many more planned leipzig, dresden, Perfume, frankfurt And hamburgmany are already being set up,
German media have so far confirmed only a few cancellations.
In rostockA historic Christmas market – which was already canceled last year – will not return until 2025.
in hamburg Rahalstad DistrictThe local market was closed last season after stallholders chose not to return due to low revenue.
Dortmund’s historic romantic Christmas market Bodelschwingh Palace Canceled for both 2025 and 2026 due to extensive renovations at the palace.
What is the source of the viral claim?
X Post claims “hundreds of Christmas markets in Germany” have been cancelled, it cites a source: Duna Press, An article titled “Germany cancels Christmas market 2025” Published on October 18, 2025 by J&M Duna Press, which describes itself as part of an independent communications and education group.
The article claims that organizers in smaller towns cite “unbearable security costs”, reportedly resulting from recent terrorist attacks, as the main reason for cancellations. However, it mentions only two specific examples: Rhinefeld and Shongou.
DW contacted authorities in Schöngau, Dormagen (which includes a district named Rhinefeld) and Rhinefelden if Duna Press did not cite the name of the city. Shongou replied bluntly: “The 2025 Christmas market will be as usual.”
“In previous years, there was no Christmas market in Rhinefeld in the Dormagen district – and there are no plans for 2025 either,” the city of Dormagen told DW.
Reinfelden had not responded by the time of publication. However, the official website of Rhinefelden confirmation of this That the 2025 Christmas market is going to go ahead.
The Duna Press article also claimed that stores and public places are “phasing out pork products” to avoid angering Muslim residents – a claim not supported by evidence. It ends with the claim that fear and accommodation are “destroying the fabric of German heritage.”
The name of the author of the article is Bianca Firenze There is no verifiable background, biography or social media presence associated with the site. He began contributing to Duna Press in August 2024, writing mostly about health and horoscopes.
In October 2025, he published several articles focusing on Germany’s alleged decline, using sensational language and lacking reliable sources: “Germany’s real security challenges regarding the cancellation of the Christmas market 2025”; “Germany’s Economic Meltdown: How EU Policies and Geopolitical Gambling Are Crushing Europe’s Power”; “Echoes of a Golden Age: My Nostalgic Journey Through Prosperous, Safe Germany”; “Economic Fallout: How Canceled Christmas Markets Are Affecting Germany’s Local Economies in 2025.”
Overall, these articles paint a disappointing picture of Germany.
All images, including author portraits, are AI-generated, raising questions about the authenticity of the contributors. The only contributor with actual photos and social media profiles is Paulo Fernando de Barros, who is listed as managing editor.
Duna Press Magazine’s social media profiles have very few followers and their posts receive minimal interaction, suggesting limited credibility or audience trust.
Costs are rising, cancellations are not.
DW Fact Check also investigated the claim “Germany cancels Christmas”. Reverse image search revealed its origin from the German language facebook postHowever, the post only says that some organizers are concerned about rising security costs following attacks in Berlin (2016) and Magdeburg (2024). The author adds: “Some markets may be completely canceled this year.”
Since the attacks at the Berlin Christmas market and Magdeburg, security costs have actually increased. For example, in Magdeburg, the expenses are expected Almost double this year – from €80,000 to €150,000.
Although there are no federal regulations, standard security measures now include concrete barriers, bag checks, video surveillance, and retractable barriers. These are developed by the organizers and approved by local authorities.
Municipalities can help in small towns cover costDespite rising costs and the need to reduce the size of some markets to accommodate safety measures, there is no sign of a widespread cancellation of Christmas markets in Germany.
Edited by: Rena Breuer, Rachel Begg