190427_int_musikfest_hamburg_container_c_claudia_hoehne14 — © Claudia Hoehne

nagano_kent_c_claudia_hoehne_050_20200126_1 — © Claudia Hoehne

savina_yannatou_primavera_en_salonico_c_helen_kontos — © Helen Kontos

ndr_chor_2020_03-041_c_peter_hundert_ndr — © Peter Hundert

valery_gergiev_c_alexander_shapunov — © Alexander Shapunov

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freiburger_barockorchester_c-annelies_van_der_vegt_5 — © Annelies van der Vegt

International Music Festival Hamburg

Variety of concerts on Hamburg's stages

The International Music Festival Hamburg brings top-class orchestras and soloists to the Elbphilharmonie at the end of the season – in 2026 under the motto ‘End’. A festival full of musical depth, moments of farewell and artistic new beginnings.

A Reflection on Endings – International Music Festival Hamburg 2026

The 2026 edition of the International Music Festival Hamburg is themed “End” — a concept that resonates far beyond the stage. Over the course of five weeks, top-tier artists and orchestras explore musical finales, farewells, transitions, and new beginnings. What does “end” mean in music — stylistically, historically, emotionally? Which compositions reflect it, and what visions emerge from endings?

World-Class Orchestras & Profound Programming

Once again, Hamburg welcomes leading international orchestras, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, and the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra under Sir Simon Rattle. Together with local ensembles, they create a rich and resonant programme marked by quality and depth.

Outstanding Soloists on Stage

The 2026 festival features celebrated artists such as violinists Lisa Batiashvili and Janine Jansen, cellist Sol Gabetta, and pianists Igor Levit, Daniil Trifonov, and Mitsuko Uchida. These performers embody the excellence and forward momentum of today’s classical music scene.

A Tribute to Pierre Boulez

A special focus will be placed on Pierre Boulez, who would have celebrated his 100th birthday in 2025. As a visionary of New Music, Boulez was known for his radical and forward-thinking ideas. His works will be performed by ensembles including the London Symphony Orchestra under Sir Antonio Pappano, the Cello Group of the Vienna Philharmonic, and the Philharmonic State Orchestra Hamburg under Kent Nagano.

A Season Finale with Depth

The 2026 Music Festival is more than a cultural highlight — it’s a thoughtful artistic statement on closure, change and transformation. A fitting finale to the season, inviting audiences to reflect, resonate and rediscover.

Short & Sweet

When From 1 May to 3 June 2026
Where Elbphilharmonie and Laieszhalle
First year 2014
Admission From 10 euros
Music style Classical, jazz, world music, pop

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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.

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CITY AREA PORTRAIT HafenCity & Speicherstadt

The world’s largest warehouse complex and UNSESCO World Heritage. On the other side, towards the banks of the Elbe, the modern, ever-growing architecture of the new harbour district HafenCity. Also, you can enjoy the view of the harbour from nearly everywhere.

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Unique weekly market in Eppendorf Isemarkt

Those who want to do their weekly groceries at the market usually should better be morning persons. But the Hamburger Isemarkt even gets the late risers out of bed to buy fresh and regional products.

Every Tuesday and Friday at dawn the Isestraße turns into a paradise of market stalls. The highlight of this market is not only its spectacular range of stalls but also its special location: The Isemarkt runs along one kilometer underneath the bridge of the Hochbahn of the line U3 from Hoheluftbrücke to Eppendorfer Baum.

There is nothing that you can’t purchase

Among the more or less 200 retailers there is nothing that you can’t purchase. From fish to juicy apples from the old land, colorful flowers, aromatic cheese and exotic tee up to sweet herbs and delicious vegetables locals can get everything they need for their daily life as well as what brings little joy to life. Even lyric from Hamburg is offered to the customers – if you’re lucky presented in a live performance.

Strolling around and drinking coffee

Even if you don’t have anything urgent on your shopping list, it’s always a pleasure to visit the market just for strolling around and drinking coffee. In between the numerous retailors and visitors a very special atmosphere arises, one that can’t be found at the 100 other markets in the city.

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Endurance sport of the extra class Ironman Hamburg

The IRONMAN Hamburg European Championship is an exciting triathlon event that has been established in Hamburg since 2017. Athletes from all over the world compete here on a challenging course that takes them through the Inner and Outer Alster, along Hamburg's landmarks and through the city center.

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