St. Pauli’s Celebration of Street Art
Every summer, the Spielbudenplatz in Hamburg-St. Pauli transforms into a vibrant open-air stage for street artists from around the world. Presented by the Corny Littmann Foundation for Art and Culture, the Spielbudenfestival celebrates international street performance in all its wild, poetic, and genre-defying forms.
For three days, acrobats, clowns, magicians, musicians and provocateurs take over the square, continuing a tradition that dates to 1795 when entertainers first set up stages along the Reeperbahn. The festival is a feast for all senses, uniting art, humour and spectacle in the most democratic of settings: the public street.
Entry is free and open to all. The artists perform without fixed fees and instead pass the hat after each show. Generous support from the audience helps keep this joyful, inclusive celebration of street art alive and accessible for viewers of any means.
Spielbudenfestival 2025
From 18 to 20 July 2025, the Spielbudenfestival returns for its fifth edition, bringing 15 outstanding acts from across the globe to Hamburg’s most iconic square. This year’s lineup blends technical brilliance, subversive humour, and pure wonder.
Headlining the weekend is Switzerland’s Variété Pavé, Europe’s last touring variety show, performing Ta Daa—a chaotically poetic production that fuses steampunk style with artistry, comedy and magic. Also taking the stage are the Barbaren Barbies, a feminist circus collective from Berlin that delights with acrobatic stunts, theatrical flair and fearless self-irony.
Taiwanese diabolo virtuoso George Tsai returns with The Happiness of Diabolo, a high-energy performance that has captivated audiences worldwide. And Barbara Probst brings surreal slapstick and seawater to the streets in her burlesque adventure involving a luxurious bathtub.
Sunday highlights include a family-friendly circus show by Zirkus Zartinka, hosted by the exuberant science comedian Konrad Stöckel, who is known for turning experiments into entertainment.
Whether nostalgic, anarchic, dazzling or absurd, the Spielbudenfestival 2025 promises a long weekend of unforgettable street art in the heart of St. Pauli.
For full programme details and artist bios, visit the official website.
Dates
18–20 July 2025
Location
Spielbudenplatz, Hamburg-St. Pauli
