Hafengeburtstag, the big port festival in Hamburg

10 – 12 May 2019

Hafen City hamburg

Hafengeburtstag Hamburg 2019

Considered the world’s greatest port festival, Hafengeburtstag (port anniversary) takes place this year on the second weekend in May.

This year marks the 830th anniversary of the Hamburg port.

It’s a celebration of the founding of the port back in 1189.

Emperor Frederick Barbarossa issued a charter granting freedom from customs duties for all ships sailing on the Elbe from Hamburg to the North Sea.

On this special anniversary, the bustling port offers a maritime program to suit all the family.

Over 300 ships from different parts of the world comes to Hafengeburtstag Hamburg for the celebrations and many of them welcome visitors aboard.

About the festival

Luxury cruise ships, historic tall ships, navy ships, museum vessels, waterway police ships, tug boats and sleek yachts will all be on show.

Hafengeburtstag Hamburg offers a full program of fun and fascinating activities on land and water:

Tugboat Ballet
Search and Rescue exercises
Dragon boat races
Sailing regattas
Cruises for kids
Festival Promenade
Amusement rides
Special museum exhibitions
Live music featuring many genres all free of charge

The Port of Hamburg and surrounding districts are great to visit any time of the year, but a visit during the three days of the Hafengeburtstag festivities is something extra special.

Basic Information

When: 10 – 12 May 2019

Where: Hamburg, Germany

Map: Hamburg on Google Maps

Official website: hamburg.de/hafengeburtstag/

Hotels: Overview of all hotels in Hamburg

Destination

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Hotels

Try and find a hotel room right beside the port of Hamburg, so that you stay close to the Hafengeburtstag Hamburg festival venues.

Check hotels in the harbour area of Hamburg >>

Getting there

The celebrations take place around Landungsbrücken, in the Speicherstadt warehouse district, the new HafenCity district, at the Fish Market and Oevelgönne Museum Harbour.

In Hamburg, take the S-Bahn (S1 and S3) to Landungsbrücken station or the U-Bahn (U3) to Baumwall or Landungsbrücken station.

Landungsbrücken is right where you need to be by the Harbour.