It's October, and as the first autumn leaves fall, the hot phase begins for stall operators: preparing for the Christmas market season. Anyone who runs a bratwurst stand knows that it's more than just the smell of grilled sausages that attracts customers. The right atmosphere makes all the difference - and this is where music comes into play.
Just imagine: Your stand exudes the tantalising aroma of freshly grilled bratwurst, the fairy lights twinkle and atmospheric Christmas music plays in the background. This combination of sensory impressions has a measurable impact on your sales.
Why music increases your sales
- 42% longer dwell time - Customers stay much longer at the stand
- 12% higher expenses - The musical atmosphere motivates more purchases
- 44% higher return rate - Satisfied customers come back
- 91% the Christmas market operator consider music important (GEMA survey 2024)
GEMA fees: What stand operators need to know
GEMA fees have been a major issue in recent years. But there is good news: GEMA and the Federal Association of Music Organisers have agreed a new Christmas market tariff, which will come into force for the 2025 season.
| Aspect | Old regulation | New regulation from 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Remuneration amount | Basic tariff | 35% Reduction |
| Calculation without live music | Different | By number of speakers |
| Cost per visitor | 2.5 cent | 2.5 cent (constant) |
Important to know: In most cases, the organiser of the Christmas market pays the GEMA fees, not the individual stand operator. Please clarify this when you register.
Federal states with special regulations
Some federal states cover all or part of the GEMA costs for Christmas markets:
- Bavaria - Volunteer allowance for non-profit markets
- Thuringia - Flat rate for municipal events
- Lower Saxony - Regulations for markets organised on a voluntary basis
- Hesse - Takeover at municipal events
Looking for professional support? The GEMA experts at sonicsense will provide you with comprehensive advice on all questions relating to music licences and help you to optimise costs. Find out more about GEMA advice →
Royalty-free music - the smart alternative
Instead of paying GEMA fees, more and more stand operators are opting for royalty-free music. This offers numerous advantages:
Advantages of royalty-free music
- No ongoing fees - One-off licence costs instead of permanent payment
- Legal certainty - You will receive official exemption certificates
- Plannable costs - No nasty surprises
- Professional quality - Modern royalty-free music is in no way inferior to chart music
- Easy handling - Plug-and-play solutions without technical hurdles
Cost comparison for the Christmas season
| Solution | One-off costs | Monthly costs | Seasonal costs (6 weeks) |
|---|---|---|---|
| GEMA-liable music | 0 Euro | 40-80 Euro/day | 1,680-3,360 Euro |
| Royalty-free music (subscription) | 0 Euro | 15-40 Euro | 90-240 Euro |
| Royalty-free music (licence) | 150-500 Euro | 0 Euro | 0 Euro |
| sonicsense sonicEasy | from 99 Euro | 0 Euro | 0 Euro |
Attention: Spotify, YouTube or Apple Music may NOT be used commercially. The terms and conditions explicitly exclude commercial use. Violations can lead to severe warnings.
The right sound system for your stand
Outdoor speakers: technology for Christmas markets
For use at the Christmas market, you need robust outdoor speakers that can withstand wind and weather. Pay attention to the following criteria:
- IP protection class - At least IP55, better IP65 for unroofed areas
- Temperature resistance - Operating temperature from -10°C to +40°C
- Sound quality - 2-way system with woofer and tweeter
- Performance - At least 50 watts per speaker for outdoor use
The optimum volume
Finding the right balance is crucial. The rule of thumb is
- 50-60 dB - Perfect for background music
- 60-70 dB - Good for medium hustle and bustle at the Christmas market
- Over 70 dB - Too loud, complaints are inevitable
Legal limit: The music should be pleasantly present in the background, but should not disturb normal conversations. During the day, a maximum of 55-60 dB may reach the nearest residential neighbourhood.
Do you need help choosing the right technology? The sonicsense team will advise you free of charge and find the perfect solution for your stand: Request a free consultation now
sonicsense - The complete solution for your bratwurst stand
sonicsense has specialised in the needs of catering businesses and mobile stands and offers you an all-round carefree solution.
Why sonicsense?
- Royalty-free music - Professionally curated Christmas market playlists
- Plug-and-play - Unpack, connect, done. No previous technical knowledge required
- 100% Legal certainty - Official GEMA exemption certificates included
- German support - Personal advice for questions
- Fair prices - From 99 euros for sonicEasy, customised offers for sonicPro
sonicEasy - Simply order, get started right away
The entry-level system from sonicsense is perfect for small to medium-sized sausage stands:
- Access to all royalty-free playlists
- Streaming via your own devices or optional hardware
- Specially curated Christmas market playlists
- GEMA exemption certificate included
- 14 days right of return
Start now with professional music! Visit the sonicEasy shop and discover the perfect Christmas market playlists: To the sonicEasy Shop
sonicPro - For professional demands
Do you operate several stands or do you need a more comprehensive solution? sonicPro offers:
- Multi-zone sound reinforcement for different areas
- Centralised control of multiple locations
- Professional hardware equipment
- Customised playlist creation
- Personal contact person and 24/7 hotline
Want a customised solution for your business? Let us advise you on sonicPro and receive a customised offer: Discover sonicPro
Practical tips for use at the Christmas market
The perfect playlist for different times of day
Adapt your music to the time of day:
- In the morning (9-12 o'clock) - Calm, inviting Christmas melodies, moderate volume
- Lunchtime/afternoon (12-5pm) - Atmospheric Christmas hits, slightly higher volume
- Evening (17-22 h) - Emotional, classic Christmas songs for a romantic atmosphere
Checklist for the first day at the Christmas market
2 weeks before:
- Fully test the technology
- Have GEMA exemption certificates ready
- Prepare playlists for different times of day
On the set-up day:
- Mounting speakers safely and weatherproof
- Check cable routing (avoid tripping hazards)
- Sound check at normal operating volume
- Have backup solutions ready
Legal protection
Keep the following documents to hand:
- GEMA exemption certificate - Digital on the smartphone and printed out
- Licence agreement/invoice - Proof of purchase from sonicsense
- Organiser confirmation - If the organiser pays GEMA fees
With GEMA control: Remain calm and polite. Show your exemption certificate and explain that you are using royalty-free music. If you are unsure, contact sonicsense support immediately.
Fazit: Musik als Umsatztreiber
Musik am Bratwurststand ist eine Investition, die sich bereits am ersten Tag amortisiert. Die Zahlen sprechen für sich:
Beispielrechnung für einen mittelgroßen Stand
- 150 Besucher pro Tag × 12 Euro Umsatz = 1.800 Euro/Tag
- Mit Musik (+12% Umsatzsteigerung): 2.016 Euro/Tag
- Mehrumsatz: +216 Euro pro Tag
- Bei 42 Tagen Weihnachtsmarktsaison: +9.072 Euro Gesamtumsatz
Investition in sonicsense sonicEasy: ab 99 Euro einmalig
Der Oktober ist die perfekte Zeit, um Ihre Musik-Lösung für den Weihnachtsmarkt zu planen. Warten Sie nicht bis zur letzten Minute – sorgen Sie jetzt für die richtige Ausstattung und starten Sie entspannt in die Saison.
Jetzt mit sonicsense durchstarten
Machen Sie Ihren Bratwurststand zum Erfolg auf dem Weihnachtsmarkt 2025 – mit der richtigen Musik von sonicsense.
To the sonicEasy Shop |
Discover sonicPro |
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