Harbour Front Literaturfestival

From 19 September to 11 October 2026, Hamburg's harbour will be transformed into a stage for literary discoveries. International stars and new voices will present their works in extraordinary locations against the backdrop of harbour cranes and overseas containers.

Literature in motion - between the Elbe and emotions

When ships become stages and churches become reading rooms, the Harbour Front Literature Festival is back in Hamburg. The festival invites you to a literary autumn of a special kind.

Everyone knows the attraction of Hamburg's harbour. The idea behind Harbour Front is to bring this wholesale market of knowledge and news into direct contact with great German and international literature. Every year, well over 20,000 visitors prove that this idea is well received. The Harbour Front Literature Festival was launched in 2008 and held for the first time in September 2009. Since then, over 220,000 visitors have come to 75 locations in the harbour. Over 1,000 participants - including more than 900 writers, 120 presenters and more than 100 actors - from a total of 40 countries have turned the Port of Hamburg into a meeting place for literature.

A festival of diversity and discoveries.

Under the artistic direction of Joachim Lux, the largest festival in northern Germany presents a programme that includes both established authors and up-and-coming talents. International greats such as Dan Brown, Samantha Harvey, T.C. Boyle, Donna Leon, Ben Becker and many more have been here before.

Places with character - readings at special locations

The events will take place in a variety of locations: on ships, in theatres, churches and clubs. This special selection of venues creates a unique atmosphere and allows literature to be experienced in a new way.

Harbour Front Sounds - literature meets music

A special highlight is the ‘Harbour Front Sounds’ series, in which literature and music merge. Artists such as Konstantin Wecker and Wolf Biermann organise evenings that combine words and sounds in a special way.

Dates and further information on the program for you can find here.