Hafengeburtstag, the big Port Birthday Festival in Hamburg

9 – 12 May 2024

BOOK HOTEL FOR THIS EVENT Things to do in Hamburg - Tours, Sightseeings and more

Basic Information

When: 9 – 12 May 2024

Where: Hamburg, Germany

Map: Hamburg on Google Maps

Official website: hamburg.de/hafengeburtstag/

Hotels: Overview of all hotels in Hamburg

Hafen City hamburg

Port Birthday – Hafengeburtstag Hamburg

Considered the world’s most fantastic port festival, Hafengeburtstag is used to take place one of the first weekends in May.

It was 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.

The bustling port offers a maritime program on this special anniversary to suit all families.

Over 300 ships worldwide come to Hafengeburtstag Hamburg for the celebrations, and many 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 be shown.

Hafengeburtstag Hamburg offers a complete program of fun and engaging 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.

Destination

Check-in date

Thu 28 Sep 2023

Check-out date

Fri 29 Sep 2023

I don't have specific dates yet

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.