Music meets cosmos
Nights of sound under the stars, fascinating insights into the vastness of the universe and a place full of history – welcome to the Sternstunden Festival!
Since its premiere in summer 2023, the festival has been held annually in July on the grounds of the historic Hamburg Observatory in Bergedorf. Starting Friday afternoon and Saturday midday, the expansive park surrounding the listed telescope buildings is transformed into a place for encounters with music and astronomy.
A festival between cosmos and sound
The Sternstunden Festival builds bridges – between genres, generations, and galaxies. The focus is on musical diversity, ranging from classical chamber music to Gregorian chants, jazz to electro-pop. The festival is largely shaped by artists from the choirs and symphony orchestra of the University of Hamburg, as well as musicians from the region. In recent years, the Orchester im Treppenhaus and the energetic ensemble Hepta Polka, among others, have delighted audiences.
But the festival goes beyond music: It aims to make science accessible and astronomy a tangible experience – all in a very special setting. The scientific program includes:
- Guided tours of the historic domed buildings
- a view through telescopes of the last century (in suitable weather and clear skies)
- Experiments to participate in
- Lectures on current research topics, the history of the universe and exciting questions of modern astrophysics
- and much more
For all generations
The Sternstunden Festival is a place for everyone – from young to old. With a dedicated children's program, even the youngest children are sent on galactic journeys: Whether at the children's concert, a children's tour of the observatory, the musical planetary tour, or the Sternstunden Rally – here, they'll marvel, laugh, and discover.
