Christmas markets in Lower Saxony: Music waiver due to GEMA costs!

Christmas markets in Lower Saxony: Music waiver due to GEMA costs!

The Christmas markets in Lower Saxony are facing a musical drought! The organizers are fighting with exploding license costs for music use, which also spoil the festive atmosphere this year. For example, there will be no music in Hildesheim-the stands are allowed to play music themselves, but must wear the high GEMA fees themselves. Live band appearances are dispensed with, only two local groups that play GEMA-free pieces may occur.

GEMA has drastically increased the fees for music use since 2011, based on the size of the event area. Many Christmas markets have incorrectly stated in the past, which led to a subsequent increase in costs. As in the previous year, the usual music program with choirs and ensembles is greatly reduced in Braunschweig. A program that was still possible in 2022 would be around 18,000 euros more expensive this year after the new GEMA tariffs. Nevertheless, it will not be completely quiet in Braunschweig - there will be music for the opening and at the end of the market, as well as an hour of choir appearances without speakers.

music offer in Göttingen and Hanover

In Göttingen, the music offer is also restricted, whereby the GEMA fees are to be covered by sponsors. In Hanover, the stage program for live performances is currently being planned, with a mixture of GEMA-free and compensated days. A spokesman for the city said that the GEMA no longer only calculates the fees for the area in front of the stage, but for the entire area of the Christmas market - this means that a high fee is due for an area of 11,500 square meters.

Not all markets are affected! There are bright spots for smaller Christmas markets organized by non-profit associations or parishes: the state of Lower Saxony takes over the GEMA fees for up to four events per year and association. Around 167,000 euros are available for this year, but only for markets with a maximum area of 500 square meters and without entrance fees.