Security effort at the Christmas market: millions for protection!

Security effort at the Christmas market: millions for protection!

When Advent arrives in Augsburg, the city is transformed into a Christmas fairy tale. But behind the festive backdrop there is an enormous challenge: the security of the Christmas market. Regulatory officer Frank Pintsch from the CSU describes the enormous effort that is being made to ensure a market that is not only attractive but also safe. In order to protect stages and booths, bollards are currently being moved aside. An urgent reason for these measures is the tragic attack on the Christmas market in Magdeburg last year, in which six people died and over 300 were injured.

Such incidents have increased pressure to establish effective security measures. According to Pintsch, modern security solutions such as retractable bollards or barriers are convenient, but cost millions. The city has decided to resort to more cost-effective measures. Simply parking a vehicle, a truck for example, is not possible for safety reasons because it is “not certified”. The focus is on not endangering local transport connections and guaranteeing the safety of guests throughout the market's operation.

Challenges and costs at a glance

The financial aspects should not be neglected. The security measures cost the city of Augsburg in the mid five-figure range. However, this limit is considered justifiable as it simultaneously ensures that two main tram lines can continue to operate. This is a step that many cities feel is necessary to avoid further depressing visitor numbers. In fact, the security concepts of many Christmas markets have taken on stricter dimensions due to last year's tragedies.

As the events in Magdeburg show, the market there, which opened on November 20, 2025, also suffers from a significantly increased security architecture. Prime Minister Rainer Haseloff and Mayor Simone Borris emphasized that the security situation after the December 2024 attack was crucial. An enhanced security concept was developed in close coordination with the city, police and the state administration office, which included special driving bans and differentiated access to the illuminated market.

Security as a shared responsibility

One thing is clear: security at Christmas markets is a task for society as a whole; It's not just the organizers who are challenged. Experiences from across the country show that many municipalities are struggling with financial losses during events. Security measures are often the biggest barrier to implementation, especially in larger markets where state regulations and additional requirements must be taken into account.

Everyone involved agrees that better collaboration is necessary. In order to reduce costs and increase protection levels, joint initiatives and inter-municipal cooperation are required. A practical example is the Schwalm-Eder district, where communities work together to share the costs of access barriers. Such measures could be groundbreaking for the coming winter.

One thing is certain: preparations for the Christmas season are becoming more and more complex and responsible. Citizens and visitors can look forward to contemplative times, even if safety is the top priority and actions such as the bollard clearance in Augsburg will shape the reporting. At a time when many markets are under pressure, it is clear that it is necessary to make responsible decisions and always keep safety in mind.

Traditionally, people associate Christmas not only with great emotions, but also with a kind of security. And this is exactly what needs to be protected this Christmas season.

For more details on the security situation in Augsburg and other cities, take a look at the reporting from BR24, daily news and Municipal.