Harry Potter Theater Hamburg
© Manuel Harlan

Theater & Stage Arts

Fantastic productions and theatrical art in Hamburg

The “boards that mean the world” have a long and storied tradition in Hamburg, but that doesn’t mean that you can only find the classics here! As well as our famous spoken theatre, Hamburg’s theatrical calendar also features a state opera, raunchy cabaret, impressive dance performances, open-air shows and plays specifically designed for kids.

© Matthias Horn

Colorful stage life Drama & Theater

Hamburg's stage landscape includes impressive buildings such as the Ernst Deutsch Theater and Schauspielhaus, as well as smaller stages such as in the Kammerspiele.

Drama & Theater
© Thomas Huang

Hamburg's funniest places Cabaret & Comedy

Hamburgers don't go to the basement to laugh - they go to the theater, to a stand-up show, to a cabaret and and...

Cabaret & Comedy

From Strauss to Verdi Ballet & Opera

If you like, Hamburg offers many facets of musical stage entertainment: the more than 300-year-old State Opera, the Ballet, the Chamber Opera in Altona or the Opera Loft in the HafenCity.

Ballet & Opera
© Kristijan Balun

Clear the stage for the poets Poetry Slam in Hamburg

Hamburg is quite famous for poetry slams - or in German: Wettstreit der Dichter. The participants recite self-written texts and the audience decides on the winner afterwards.

Poetry Slam in Hamburg
© TM & © HPTP. HP™ WB.

Play HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD

Extraordinary play in Mehr! Theater am Großmarkt. Experience the magic of HARRY POTTER up close.

HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD

DISCOVER NOW Current performances

© M Madsen

Figurentheater für Kinder - “Die Olchis und der Schmuddel-Hund“
  • Theatre

  • 25.03.2024
  • 16:00
  • Stadtteilhaus Lurup
Galli Theater Hamburg e.V.
© Galli Theater Hamburg e.V.

Kindertheaterkurs in den Märzferien
  • Theatre

  • 25.03.2024
  • 10:00
  • JUPITER (4. OG)
© Galli Theater Hamburg e.V.

Kindertheaterkurs in den Osterferien
  • Theatre

  • 25.03.2024
  • 14:00
  • Kunstklinik Eppendorf

Performing arts – highlights, history and insider knowledge at a glance

Traditional spoken theatre and world-famous dance stages

What would Hamburg be without its numerous theatres? Attend productions that tackle hard-hitting topics at larger theatres such as the Thalia Theater or the Deutsches Schauspielhaus. Or why not address the same issues accompanied by loud and liberating laughter at the Winterhuder Fährhaus comedy house or the Schmidt Theater? There’s so much more here, though… the Hamburg State Opera, for example, has been in existence as an opera house since 1678. Plus, the building at Gänsemarkt is also home to the renowned Hamburg Ballet. The Hamburg Ballet and the Kampnagel production house are both impressive examples of how cultural diversity is both possible and welcomed in Hamburg – both are dedicated to very different aspects of the medium of dance. Director John Neumeier and his ballet company has become known for their distinctive choreography. Kampnagel isn’t only a performance venue for dance productions, it’s also a place where ideas are developed and controversies dealt with.

Hamburg loves the theatre

Incidentally, Hamburg’s commitment to its cultural institutions is a longstanding tradition. Indeed, at a time when there was no state funding for culture, the institutions relied on ticket sales and public donations to stay afloat. It’s fair to say that it was the people of Hamburg and their love of the theatre, cabaret and opera that’s made today’s cultural diversity possible.

Multilingual plays and a floating stage

There’s something for everyone in Hamburg and, of course, some of our theatres are particularly representative of life in the city. Indeed, ‘Plattsnackerin’ Heidi Kabel became an icon on stage at the Ohnsorg Theatre. The English Theatre of Hamburg shows how close the locals feel to British and American culture – every season, you can view spectacular plays in the original English version. Plus, what would suit us as a port city better than a theatre on a ship? The theatre ship with its picturesque berth on Nikolaifleet is, by its own definition, Europe’s only ocean-going stage.

OUR RECOMMENDATION Theaters & Stages in Hamburg

© ThisIsJulia Photography

Deutsches Schauspielhaus

Enjoy culture in a classical atmosphere - at the Deutsches Schauspielhaus the old masters are breathed back into life in new productions.

Deutsches Schauspielhaus
© ThisIsJulia Photography

One of the world's leading venues for opera Hamburgische Staatsoper

Visitors to Hamburg who are looking for high-class opera entertainment will be spoiled with grandiose performances in the time-honoured Hamburg State…

Hamburgische Staatsoper
© ThisIsJulia Photography

The English Theatre of Hamburg

Germany's oldest professional English theatre stages drama, thrillers and comedies with British actors.

The English Theatre of Hamburg
© Mediaserver Hamburg / Christian Spahrbier

Classical ballet and modern forms Hamburg Ballet John Neumeier

The company around John Neumeier is a constant in the cultural scene in Hamburg and far beyond.

Hamburg Ballet John Neumeier
© ThisIsJulia Photography

Traditional stage with impressive productions Thalia Theater

A visit to the venerable Thalia Theater promises visitors a high-class and stylish theatre visit in the heart of Hamburg even today.

Thalia Theater
© Ingo Bölter

Weird, quirky, beautiful! Schmidt's TIVOLI

The Schmidts Tivoli at Spielbudenplatz in Hamburg presents crazy revues and skilful music theatre.

Schmidt's TIVOLI
© ThisIsJulia Photography

Germany's largest private theatre Ernst Deutsch Theater

The Ernst Deutsch Theater is Germany's largest private spoken theatre and regularly presents plays in the field of tension between tradition and…

Ernst Deutsch Theater
© ThisIsJulia Photography

Venue for music, theatre and dance Kampnagel

Kampnagel enjoys worldwide recognition as an international production house. It offers a multi-faceted platform for contemporary performing arts, as…

Kampnagel
© ThisIsJulia Photography

Ohnsorg Theater

In the centrally located Ohnsorg Theater, visitors can regularly enjoy high-class performances, some of which are also performed in Low German.

Ohnsorg Theater

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DISCOVER NOW Culture & Music in Hamburg

Reeperbahn Festival
© Stefan Malzkorn

Great freedom for music Concerts & Live Music

From classical music to electro festivals, from music history to a thriving live music scene and vibrant nightlife… Hamburg’s got it all!

Concerts & Live Music
Elbphilharmonie
© Mediaserver Hamburg / Jung von Matt

Hamburg's landmark on the Waterfront Elbphilharmonie

In building the Elbphilharmonie, Hamburg certainly put itself on the map! Our concert hall, with its impressive glass wave architecture and interior furnishings, is unparalleled anywhere else in the world.

Elbphilharmonie
Hamburger Kunsthalle
© Hamburger Kunsthalle / Foto: Kay Riechers

Artistic highlights Art & Exhibitions

A visit to one of Hamburg’s museums involves rare old pieces on display in our magnificent buildings, but you’ll also find a number of smaller, owner-operated galleries, as well as contemporary art, pop up installations, street art and collections aimed specifically at the littlest visitors.

Art & Exhibitions

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