Every year, a great host of events both on and off the Elbe river make up Hamburg's annual Port Anniversary in celebration of the harbour's 'birthday'.
Of all the fun activities for young and old, the maritime presentations on the Elbe are probably the most unique. Highlights include the Grand Arrival Parade, the Tugboat Ballet and the spectacular fireworks show.
Other maritime events at the yearly Hafengeburtstag include water parades with motor yachts, steamships and heritage sailing ships, staged sea-rescue missions and sporting events like sailing regattas, water skiing and dragon boat races. Water authorities like the Waterways Police, Customs, the Federal Police, the DGzRS lifesaving service and the Fisheries Protection Authority also introduce their fleets to the adoring crowds.
Onshore Events
From sea shanty choirs to heavy metal, everyone is bound to find a favourite act on one of the ten different stages, each with rotating music throughout the day. And while adults can choose from countless international food and drink stands, a children's festival by St. Michael's Church will amuse the little ones.
Arts and crafts, delicious snacks, and fairground rides
At the first Port Anniversary more than 40 years ago, only a few fairground people ran their stands along the harbour front. But today, more than 420 stand operators and performers create a festive atmosphere along the docks: the many event stages on the Bunte Hafenmeile (lit. 'colourful harbour mile') from Baumwall to Landungsbrücken guarantee a diverse programme for the whole family.
Many fairground stands offer food and drink, handicrafts and rides. From the Landungsbrücken piers, visitors can watch both the arrival and departure parade, the tugboat ballet and of course the spectacular fireworks show on Saturday night.
Free live music
Whether harbour rock or shanty choirs, there will be live music for every taste on several stages this year. The NDR braodcasting company presents a colourful live music programme directly at the Landungsbrücken piers. Apart from first-class live acts, there will be talk and entertainment acts every day.
The Harbour Beatz electronic music festival, which takes place during the Port Anniversary again, will also put visitors in the right mood this year.
Another musical highlight this year are the Elbphilharmonie concerts on screen: a best-of selection of the concert recordings from the Elbphilharmonie will air on a 32-square-metre high-resolution screen at the Platz der Deutschen Einheit square. See here for a list of all stages and a programme schedule.
Open ship day at HafenCity
To celebrate the 833rd Hamburg Port Anniversary, visitors can also discover many more things in the Hafencity quarter. There will be classic ships, such as the tugboat Fairplay VIII, which can be visited free of charge at the open ship day. Click here to find out where to visit the many different impressive watercraft.
On Sunday, visitors will have a very good view from the Traditionsschiffhafen (lit. 'harbour for classic ships') as various classic boats and ships cast off to take part in this year's departure parade.
Harbour Pride at Fischmarkt
Things will get even more colourful at the Harbour Pride festival to the west of the fish auction hall off Große Elbstraße street: the HafenGAYburtstag is a meeting place for members of LGBTQI+ community as well as heterosexual guests.
In the spirit of an open-minded and tolerant city, it is intended to be an opportunity to celebrate together and to help get rid of prejudices.
A stage with many musicians and DJs across the scenes, travesty artists and maritime burlesque groups as well as a gay village with a mix of entertainment, information and culinary delights invite all like-minded and curious people to stay and celebrate.
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Partner country 2022: Croatia
Each year, a partner country gets the opportunity to present itself at the Kehrwiederspitze; in 2022, it will be Croatia. In the HafenCity quarter, visitors can enjoy the Croatian culinary culture of the Adriatic coast.
The enchanting, pristine coastal landscape is one of Croatia's highlights, along with its extraordinary natural and architectural diversity. At Kehrwiederspitze, visitors have the chance to experience cultural diversity, along with Croatian cuisine and wines.
Culturally-minded Port Anniversary attendees should also pay a visit to the various museums scattered among the Speicherstadt UNESCO World Heritage Site and HafenCity.
