Hamburg's theatre scene not only thrives on the big stages, but also on its charming small theatres. This means that everyone is really close to the action on stage. Under the arcades of the Brahms Kontor is the cosy MUT! Theatre, which offers a diverse programme of comedies, dramas and children's plays to open our eyes to the diversity of our society. Another cultural hotspot is the Off-Theater Hamburger Sprechwerk in Hamburg Borgfelde, which presents an impressive range of plays, dance theatre, improvised theatre and magic on a 160 m² stage. With just 40 seats, Theater das Zimmer is Hamburg's smallest private theatre, offering an intense experience thanks to its close proximity to the actors and interaction with the audience. Nearby is the Fleetstreet Theatre, known for its innovative productions that go far beyond the boundaries of classical theatre.

A few theatres in Hamburg are characterised by very special features: Whether special stagecraft, excellent gastronomy or a unique atmosphere, a special theatre experience is offered here. Kampnagel in Winterhude, also known as the ‘’culture factory‘’, offers the most modern and international productions. The Altona Theatre in the heart of Altona shines with literary works under the motto ‘We play books’. The 2te Heimat theatre combines acting with a 3-course meal or pasta. At the English Theatre, plays are performed in English by actors from London. The Theatre am Großmarkt has been showing Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in German since 2021: visitors are offered a fascinating stage adaptation of J.K. Rowling's popular wizarding world. With impressive stage magic and detailed costumes, it brings the adventures of Harry Potter and his friends to the stage. The theatre ship between Deichstraßen and Speicherstadt offers maritime theatre experiences on a floating stage. The Hafenbühne (harbour stage) in the Pier 3 Hotel combines concerts, readings and theatre. The Winterhuder Fährhaus comedy theatreon the Alster is known for its varied and high-quality productions.

St. Pauli is not just about club culture, it also has some impressive theatres that put on a varied stage programme. The Schmidt Theatre in Hamburg is known for its entertaining and humorous productions. With a varied programme ranging from musicals and comedies to variety shows, it offers a lively and creative theatre experience. The St. Pauli Theatre is one of the oldest theatres in Germany. Located directly on Spielbudenplatz, the plays performed are characterised by being robust, popular and intelligent, with entertainment of the highest calibre.

The Deutsches Schauspielhaus and the Thalia Theatre in Hamburg are two important cultural institutions in the city and look back on a long history. The Deutsches Schauspielhaus, one of the largest and most traditional theatres in Germany, delights audiences with its sophisticated dramatic art. The Thalia Theater, known for its innovative and varied programme, offers a wide range of modern and classical plays. Both theatres play a key role in shaping Hamburg's theatre scene and offer unforgettable theatre experiences. At the Ohnsorg Theatre, plays are performed in Low German - a Hamburg institution with a long history. The theatre has been around since 1902, when it was founded as a theatre association under the name ‘Dramatische Gesellschaft Hamburg’. The Hamburger Kammerspiele is also a theatre steeped in tradition - formerly municipal, now private. The theatre was founded in 1918.

There are also plenty of options for little theatre fans in Hamburg. From puppet theatre to musical shows, the stages in the Hanseatic city offer exciting and imaginative stories that will make children's eyes light up. For example, the lovingly designed Hoftheater Ottensen - Kindertheater Wackelzahn is located in a backyard in Altona, where fairy tales and preventative plays for children and young people are performed in great surroundings. Also in Altona is the Allee Theatre, which is home to both the theatre for children and the Hamburg Chamber Opera. The special thing about the theatre for children is that well-known drama and opera classics are adapted for budding theatre fans, allowing them to be introduced to musical theatre.