Port Anniversary

Port Anniversary Highlights

Explore historic yachts, sing along to shanty choirs and admire the tugboat ballet during the yearly PORT ANNIVERSARY weekend.

HG Auslaufparade 2023

Highlights PORT ANNIVERSARY Hamburg

The yearly PORT ANNIVERSARY is always packed with fun activities and events. From the opening ceremony and the grand arrival parade to spectacular fireworks, you won't want to miss any of the highlights at Hamburg's Hafengeburtstag!

Highlights 2024

International Ecumenical
Opening Service
at St. Michaelis Church
Thursday, 9 May 2024,
2–3 p.m.
Grand Arrival Parade with Official OpeningThursday, 9 May 2024,
4–5 p.m.
Friday Night Show with FireworksFriday, 10 May 2024,
9:30 p.m.
Tugboat BalletSaturday, 11 May 2024,
5–5:45 p.m.
Saturday Night Show
AIDA Cruises Presents:
Magical Light Displays
Saturday, 11 May 2024,
10:30 p.m.
Grand Departure ParadeSunday, 12 May 2024,
5:30–6:30 p.m.
Festival PromenadeThursday: 10 a.m. – midnight
Friday: 10 a.m. – midnight
Saturday: 10 a.m. – midnight
Sunday: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.

International Ecumenical Opening Service

The PORT ANNIVERSARY traditionally kicks off with the international ecumenical opening service held at St. Michael's Church on Thursday. The service is led by the local clergy and TV and broadcasting celebrities, and accompanied by a maritime music programme before the PORT ANNIVERSARY starts along the Landungsbrücken piers.

Grand Arrival Parade

After the service, a parade of impressive sailing ships as well as marine, fire brigade and police boats grace the waters in front of the Landungsbrücken piers. During the Grand Arrival Parade, many international floating guests will enter the Port of Hamburg right before the eyes of visitors, creating a spectacular sight.

Fireworks Show

Don't miss the grand display of fireworks to round off an eventful day! There is no better backdrop than Hamburg's port, the Elbphilharmonie concert hall and the hustle and bustle of the Landungsbrücken piers to enjoy a night of fascinating and breathtaking pyrotechnics.

Please note that in 2024, the traditional fireworks show will take place on Friday at 9:30 p.m. On Saturday there will be spectacular light illuminations with a special maritime flair from 10:30 p.m.

Tugboat Ballet

Who knew tugboats could be so graceful? Classical music accompanies the boats as they make their pirouettes at 5,000 HP. Unless you don't mind getting wet, don’t view this unique event from too close to the shore!

AIDA Cruises Presents: Magical Light Displays

AIDA Cruises invites visitors to a special maritime highlight at the Landungsbrücken piers on Saturday night. AIDAprima will be brightly lit in the heart of Hamburg and shine a new light on the River Elbe. The event will consist of a magical combination of light shows and drone flights before the backdrop of the majestic cruise ship.

Grand Departure Parade

A spectacular end to a spectacular festival: the Port Anniversary comes to an end with a second parade on Sunday afternoon. At the Grand Departure Parade, the sailing yachts, tugboats and cruise liners bid their farewells to Hamburg.

Festival Promenade

Every May, the six-kilometre-long promenade between HafenCity, Landungsbrücken piers and the St. Pauli Fischmarkt quayside is filled with stands and podiums to celebrate the Port Anniversary. Vendors offer everything from local specialties and handicrafts to drinks, so you can toast the harbour on its 'birthday'. Live music and more get the party started early and keep it going late into the night. 

Partner Festival: Latvia

Every year, the PORT ANNIVERSARY partners up with a city, country or region which hosts its own 'festival within a festival' at Kehrwiederspitze/U3 Baumwall. This year’s international partner country is Latvia. This Baltic country will present itself at the Kehrwiederspitze, providing insights into its culture, its tourism offerings, and the country's innovative strength.

Previous partners include France, South Africa, Croatia and, most recently, South Korea, all of which treated visitors to culinary delicacies, local brews and travel inspiration for their respective destinations.

Heritage and Tall Ships

Apart from the navy and other functional ships, many other heritage and historic ships roam the harbour on this weekend. In 2023, for example, there was the navy frigate Hamburg, along with Polish sailing training ship Dar Młodziezy, the Dutch Eldorado and the Alexander von Humboldt II. Some of the vessels also welcome visitors on board and there are frequent free shuttle services for visitors to experience the legendary Peking in the Hansahafen on the opposite bank of the Elbe river.

Harbour Pride

DJs, live music acts and drag queens liven up the stages next to the Fischauktionshalle ('fish auction hall') in celebration of the Port Anniversary from Friday morning till Sunday night. And on Sunday, the LGBTQI* community takes part in a colourful boat cruise accompanying the Hafengeburtstag's Grand Departure Parade.

Culturally-minded PORT ANNIVERSARY attendees could also pay a visit to the various museums scattered among the Speicherstadt UNESCO World Heritage Site and HafenCity.

PORT ANNIVERSARY

Port Anniversary Highlights