For many, the holiday season is a time of celebration, travel, and gathering with family. But for security professionals and public-safety leaders, it also represents a period of elevated risk. Crowded public spaces, major transportation hubs, seasonal events, and high-visibility celebrations create conditions that have historically been exploited by threat actors across the globe. 

As we approach the final stretch of the year, it is worth reflecting on past incidents and reinforcing the need for vigilance—both for the public and the organizations responsible for keeping them safe.

A Season Historically Marked by Attacks

Globally, these months of the year have repeatedly been targeted by individuals and groups seeking maximum symbolic and practical impact. Over just the past decade, several high-profile incidents illustrate this risk pattern:

Strasbourg Christmas Market Attack (France, 2018)

A gunman opened fire near the historic Strasbourg Christmas market, killing five and injuring many more. This attack exploited the dense crowds, open perimeters, and symbolic nature of the event.

Berlin Christmas Market Truck Attack (Germany, 2016)

A stolen truck was driven into the Breitscheidplatz Christmas market, killing 12. It exposed vulnerabilities around vehicle-borne threats in pedestrianized seasonal markets.

Recent surge in threats to holiday markets (Germany & EU, 2024–2025)

Local governments across Germany have openly discussed increasing security relating to rising extremist chatter, and the challenges protecting open-air markets. This year, markets in cities like Munich, Düsseldorf, and Frankfurt have expanded security perimeters, increased bag checks, and deployed more private-security personnel.

Attacks on public transit during peak travel windows (UK & U.S., 2023–2025)

Multiple mass-violence incidents on trains, buses, and stations—some ideologically motivated, others driven by mental-health crises—highlight that holiday travel periods magnify the potential impact of such attacks.

Individually, these incidents differ. Collectively, they reinforce one truth: the holiday season is uniquely vulnerable.

Why Threat Levels Increase in November–January

Security and intelligence professionals consistently cite a range of contributing factors that make the holiday season uniquely complex from a risk management perspective. These aren’t just isolated variables, they represent an intersection of social behavior, infrastructure challenges, and operational constraints that can compound each other in unpredictable ways.

1. Crowded, Symbolic Venues

Holiday markets, New Year’s celebrations, religious services, shopping districts, and winter festivals create high-density, high-visibility targets.

2. Predictable Patterns

Annual, well-advertised events allow hostile actors to plan with precision.

3. Mobility and Travel

Airports, major rail hubs, and bus terminals experience peak congestion, creating opportunities for both violence and exploitation.

4. Blended Threats

Physical attacks, cyberattacks, fraud, and disinformation campaigns often rise in parallel, especially around major travel periods and public events.

5. Resource Strain

Security agencies and corporations often operate with reduced staffing over the holidays, increasing strain on existing resources.

Practical Guidance: How to Stay Vigilant This Season

As both corporate and public entities face heightened risks, it’s important to tailor messaging for each audience. Below are actionable, situationally appropriate recommendations for both individuals and organizations.

For the Public: Everyday Safety Tips for the Holidays

Whether attending a seasonal event, traveling, or shopping, individuals should remain situationally aware and digitally secure:

Stay aware of your surroundings

Particularly at crowded events or while traveling. Notice exits, security presence, and anything that “feels wrong.”

Keep personal items secure

Pickpocketing, theft, and scams spike during holiday travel.

Report suspicious behavior immediately

Many threats have been disrupted because someone noticed something unusual and said something.

Travel early, move slowly, and stay informed

Check real-time alerts, plan transportation ahead, and avoid rushing—which often leads people to miss concerning cues.

Be cautious with digital information

Holiday-themed phishing, fraudulent charitable solicitations, and travel scams increase sharply from November through January.

For Organizations: Strengthening Holiday Security Postures

Security teams, whether public or private sector, must adapt seasonal strategies to match evolving risks:

Reevaluate holiday security postures

Temporary events, reduced staffing, and increased foot traffic require revised security planning, not recycled plans from the prior year.

Integrate intelligence, alerts, and investigations

Seasonal spikes require rapid detection and escalation. Tools that unify OSINT signals with investigative workflows (like Kaseware + NexusXplore by OSINT Combine) help eliminate blind spots.

Strengthen perimeter controls at seasonal events

Controlled access points, vehicle barriers, and more visible security help deter opportunistic threats.

Update emergency-communication channels

Ensure employees, partners, and stakeholders know how to receive and respond to urgent notifications.

Conduct quick, scenario-based tabletop exercises

Even 30-minute “micro drills” prepare teams to respond to active-threat, suspicious-package, or crowd-surge incidents.

Balancing Awareness with Celebration

The message is not alarmism, it is preparedness. Most people will never encounter a security incident during the holidays. But staying informed, observant, and connected to good intelligence ensures we can enjoy the season without unnecessary risk.

Security is not about living in fear. It’s about ensuring people can live their lives freely, especially during the meaningful times of year that bring us together.

With thoughtful planning and heightened awareness, the holidays can—and should—remain a time of joy, connection, and celebration.

Learn More About Holiday Risk Preparedness

Kaseware supports organizations of all sizes in building more agile, intelligence-driven response capabilities. If your team is responsible for public safety, private security, or holiday operations, we can help.

Schedule a demo to learn how our investigative case management, threat intelligence, and communication tools can support your holiday security strategy.