Hamburg Port Anniversary

HIGHLIGHTS 835th Port Anniversary Hamburg

Traditionally, the PORT OF ANNIVERSARY of Hamburg opens with the grand arrival parade. When the tugboats dance a ballet on the Elbe and the colourful harbour mile provides culinary delicacies and background music, things get fun and exciting at the Landungsbrücken. The tugboat ballet is a unique spectacle worldwide, where the tugboats perform their choreography to classical music for the audience. From fish sandwiches to exotic noodle dishes, the colourful harbour mile offers many delicacies for the physical well-being. Entertainment is provided by a colourful stage programme, with a total of up to ten small stages offering free live music of various genres. The PORT ANNIVERSARY of Hamburg is a very special highlight in Hamburg that you should not miss. 

Hamburg welcomes you!

© Hamburg Messe und Congress / Nicolas Maack

Reception of the ships for the HAMBURG PORT ANNIVERSARY The Tall Ship Parade on Friday

Every year, the big entrance parade is the beginning of the biggest harbour festival in the world, the HAMBURG PORT ANNIVERSARY. More than 300 ships sail along the Elbe towards the harbour. An impressive spectacle for young and old sailors.

The Tall Ship Parade on Friday
© Kai-Uwe Gundlach

Fireworks spectacle at the Elbe river The Big Fireworks

The Big Fireworks are a real highlight of the Hamburg Port Anniversary. Watching the fireworks from the right spot somewhere along the Elbe with the most breathtaking and fascinating view is surely an experience to remember.

The Big Fireworks
© Andreas Vallbracht

Dance of the tugboats on the Elbe The Tugboat Ballet

The tugboat ballet at the Hamburg Port Anniversary is a unique and impressive show.

The Tugboat Ballet
© Andreas Vallbracht

Farewell of the ships from the Hamburg Port Anniversary The Tall Ship Parade on Sunday

Even the biggest harbour festival in the world comes to an end. The closing event of the Hamburg Port Anniversary is the big sailing parade on the Elbe. The numerous ships then bid farewell to the port of Hamburg.

The Tall Ship Parade on Sunday
© Hauptkirche St. Michaelis / Peter Vette

Opening ceremony of the Hamburg Port Anniversary International Ecumenical Service

Every year the Hamburg Port Anniversary is traditionally opened by an international ecumenical service in the main church of St. Michaelis.

International Ecumenical Service

Event highlights for the Hamburg Port Anniversay 2024

Opening service in the main church St. Michaelis (Michel): 09.05.2024 2:00 -3:00 p.m.

Entry parade: 09.05.2024 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Elbe in Concert - The spectacular birthday show with fireworks: 10.05.2024 from 9:45 p.m.

Tugboat ballet: 11.05.2024 5:00 - 5:45 p.m.

Magical light illumination presented by AIDA Cruises: 11.05.2024 from 10:30 p.m.

Outbound Parade: 12.05.2024 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Colourful Harbour Mile: 

09.05.2024 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

10.05.2024 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

11.05.2024 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

12.05.2024 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Everything about the programmes for the 835th Hamburg Port Anniversay 2024 can be found here.

Cruising around Right in the middle instead of just being there

The ships are welcomed with the tall ship parade and the Port anniversary is officially opened. A real highlight, in the truest sense of the word, is the great fireworks display over the Elbe. The grand finale of this unique spectacle is the farewell tall ship parade. With us, you have the unique opportunity to be there when the fascinating sailing ships, huge cruise ships and numerous smaller escort boats sail past on the Elbe along the city coast of Hamburg. Experience maritime goosebump-moments again in 2023.

© Mediaserver Hamburg /Christian Spahrbier

PORT ANNIVERSARY Farewell with a tall ship parade

  • Last highlight of the Port Anniversary
  • Official farewell to the guest ships
  • Experience the parade directly from the water
PORT ANNIVERSARY Farewell with a tall ship parade
To offer
from 36.00
Einlaufparade Hafengeburtstag
© RAINER ABICHT Elbreederei GmbH & Co KG

PORT ANNIVERSARY welcome parade

  • First highlight of the harbour birthday
  • The official greeting of the guest ships
  • View from the water
  • More than 300 vessels 
PORT ANNIVERSARY welcome parade
To offer
from 42.50 €*

THIS MIGHT INTEREST YOU AS WELL Further Recommendations

© ThisIsJulia Photography

CITY AREA PORTRAIT St. Pauli, the Harbour & the Reeperbahn

At Hamburg’s city coast, the Elbe and the harbour, you can just sit down and watch as ships, ferries and tugs pass by and enjoy the strong sea breeze. A few hundred meters away you can experience Hamburg’s world-famous “sinful mile” – the Reeperbahn.

St. Pauli, the Harbour & the Reeperbahn
© ThisIsJulia Photography

Hamburg's water station. Landungsbrücken

The floating dock - called the "Landungsbrücken" (landing stages) – is 700 metres long. Harbour tours and the HADAG steamers to Finkenwerder, Oevelgönne and Blankenese leave from this water "station". Impressive luxury cruisers also dock here from time to time.

Landungsbrücken
© ThisIsJulia Photography

Sundays 5 to 9 am Fish Market

Every Sunday morning since 1703 Hamburg's most traditional market has been trading in just about anything and everything that isn't nailed down.

Fish Market

* Important Note: *If applicable plus service fee **For bookings until 30.11.2023. Musical and theatre tickets excluded. Travel packages: All offers subject to availability. Price per person in a double room. With the Flex Option, you can change or cancel your booking free of charge up to 7 days before arrival.

MORE TIPS HERE: @hamburgahoi

We love Hamburg and want to show the world the most beautiful sides of the city. We show you tips, inspirations, travel pictures on our social media channels. Follow us and find out what you have to see. Share your best Hamburg moments with us and the world using the hashtag #hamburgahoi.

We need your consent to load the social media service!

We use a third-party service to embed social media content. This service may collect data about your activities. Please read the details and agree to use the service to view the content.

More information

Languages

Google translator for other languages

Please note that this is an automatic translation.
For better information, you can always switch to the German or English version