When tugboats weighing several tonnes dance ballet, a show stage floats in the middle of the Elbe and traditional sailing ships parade alongside modern research vessels - then it's harbour birthday in Hamburg.
The Hanseatic city transforms its harbour into a six-kilometre-long festival mile: from the Elbe beach at the Oevelgönne museum harbour to HafenCity. Both ship enthusiasts and landlubbers get their money's worth.
Run-in parade opens the festival
The water programme starts with the big arrival parade on Friday, 8 May. The ships arrive in the harbour between 13:30 and 14:30. Crews have the best view directly from on board their yachts on the Elbe, but the incoming ships can also be admired at close quarters from the waterfront promenades. The landing stages are particularly popular with onlookers, but they are always packed. If you are looking for alternatives, you will find particularly good panoramic views from elevated vantage points, such as the Altonaer Balkon, the Elbphilharmonie Plaza or Antonipark (Park Fiction). If you want to avoid the crowds, head to Rüschpark in Finkenwerder. Binoculars are worthwhile from every angle. Visitors should use public transport if possible, as there are only limited parking spaces available.
"Open Ship" - Ships you can touch
Numerous ships open their decks to visitors: from impressive tall ships and historic steamships to modern research and police vessels. Decks and bridges can be explored on board, while rigging, technology and details can be experienced up close. The crews on board are open for a quick chat and questions.
The sightseeing ships are spread across the entire festival site. While the Landungsbrücken and the Überseebrücke attract the most visitors, there are other eye-catchers in Sandtorhafen (HafenCity) and Hansahafen (accessible by shuttle steamer from Landungsbrücken, bridge 10) - often with slightly shorter waiting times. If you secure a place in time, you can even join in the sailing on the Elbe.
Our sightseeing recommendations
(The complete programme of the Open Ship Series 2026 can be found here. Programme subject to change).
Tall ships and traditional vessels
"Statsraad Lehmkuhl"
- 08 May, 18:00 - 23:00
- Location: St. Pauli Landungsbrücken
The steel three-masted barque is a Norwegian sail training ship. She was built in 1914 in Geestemünde, Bremerhaven. She is a regular guest at the harbour birthday.
- 09 May, 10:00 - 16:00 | 10 May, 10:00 - 18:00
- Location: St. Pauli Landungsbrücken
The "Rickmer Rickmers" was launched in Bremerhaven in 1896. She is a three-masted sailing cargo ship with a steel hull. Today she is permanently moored in Hamburg harbour as a museum and monument ship.
"Beijing"
- Guided tours
- 08, 09 and 10 May, 10:00 a.m.
- Location: Hansa harbour, Shuttle service by barge from the Landungsbrücken
The four-masted steel barque was commissioned by the shipping company F. Laeisz as part of the "Flying P-LinerFleet built. She was launched by Blohm & Voss in Hamburg in 1911. She was designed as a cargo ship for the saltpetre trade with Chile. After her active service, the "Peking" was moored in England and the USA from 1932 until she was transferred back to Hamburg in a dock ship in 2017 and elaborately restored was.
Modern deployment and research vessels
BP 81 "Potsdam"
- Guided group tours with virtual reality experience
- 09 and 10 May, 10:00 a.m.
- Location: St. Pauli Landungsbrücken
The BP 81 "Potsdam" federal police vehicle is 86 metres long and was completed in 2018. It offers insights into the work of the police on the high seas, including high-speed tenders, a helipad and modern surveillance technology.
"Atair"
- 09 and 10 May, 10:00 - 16:00
- Location: St. Pauli Landungsbrücken
The "Atair" is one of the most modern survey, wreck search and research vessels in Germany. It is equipped with various measuring instruments and has a diesel-gas-electric drive. Since her first launch in 2020, she has been travelling the North Sea, Baltic Sea and Atlantic Ocean.
- More about the work of "Atair" is here to read.
"Sea hawk"
- 09 May 2026, 10:00 - 17:00 | 10 May 2026, 10:00 - 13:00
- Location: Überseebrücke Hamburg
The German coastguard's fishery protection boat has been in operation since 2008. It was designed to monitor fishing in the North Sea and Baltic Sea.
Technical monuments
"Mayor O'Swald" / "Elbe 1"
- 09 May, 10:00 - 18:00 | 10 May, 10:00 - 13:00
- Location: St. Pauli Landungsbrücken
From 1948 to 1988, the "O'Swald", often referred to as "Elbe 1", was moored off the Elbe estuary as a lightship to safeguard shipping traffic. Today you can visit the original accommodation and the historic radio station.
"Bleach"
- 08, 09 and 10 May, 10:00 - 16:00
- Location: Hansa harbour, Shuttle service by barge from the Landungsbrücken
The "Bleichen" was built in Rendsburg in 1958. She is a typical general cargo ship, as they were used before the advent of container ships. Until 1970, the "Bleichen" transported paper from Finland to Germany. Under changing owners, it continued to be used for bulk cargo transport until 2006. Since 2007, the ship has been open to visitors as a museum ship in Hamburg harbour. Today, concerts are regularly held in the huge hold.
"Elbe"
- 09 May, 09:00 - 10:30 | 10 May, 10:00 - 13:00
- Location: St. Pauli Landungsbrücken
The historic ocean-going tug Elbe was put into service in the Netherlands in 1959. Over 50 metres long, this powerhouse was one of the most powerful salvage tugs of its time. The "Elbe" remained in service in various roles until 2002. Since then, she has been used as a museum ship.
Liverpool as a twin city
Great Britain is this year's country partner with the city of Liverpool. Like Hamburg, Liverpool is a historic harbour city with a maritime tradition, a passion for football and a Beatles heritage. The young musicians from Liverpool celebrated their first major successes as a band in Hamburg. At the Kehrwiederspitze, Liverpool will be presenting innovations in maritime technology and climate-friendly shipping and organising a pop-cultural stage programme. Fish & chips and regional beers will be on offer for the physical well-being.
When tractors dance
The highlight of the harbour festival follows on Saturday afternoon, with the world's only tugboat ballet. The beefy workboats perform delicate figures and synchronised manoeuvres to classical music. Colourful smoke effects complete the spectacle.
Further highlights
The Schaartorschleuse is a sporting venue: dragon boat races and SUP board competitions provide excitement. In the Oevelgönne museum harbour, round trips on mooring boats are possible. The jetties will be the scene of the simulated rescue operation "SOS - Joint Rescue Operation". The German Armed Forces and police, fire brigade and water police, the DGzRS, the ADAC and the THW will demonstrate how lives are saved in an emergency. A naval helicopter and various lifeboats will be used, among other things.
Stages for every taste
Live stages with different programmes are spread across the entire festival area. The Open Air at the Landungsbrücken presents a varied programme: from bands such as "Raum 27" and "Le Fly" to maritime shanties, a children's choir and an accordion orchestra.
The "Rock Antenne Hamburg" stage focuses on regional acts. Jazz, blues, rock and sea shanties take centre stage at the Oevelgönne Museum Harbour, while the "Harbour Beatz" at the StrandPauli bar is an open-air dance event. The Harbour Pride & Street Art Festival at the Fischauktionshalle celebrates the LGBTQ+ community in the spirit of a cosmopolitan city and welcomes all visitors.
The centrepiece is the "Elbe in Concert" floating stage. In addition to comedy and choirs, big stars perform here as surprise guests - in recent years, Nina Chuba and Lotto King Karl have come on board.
Strolling, celebrating - and fireworks
The harbour mile along the Jan Fedder promenade (Landungsbrücken) invites you to take a stroll. Food trucks, fish sandwich stands and beer vans provide refreshments. On Saturday evening between 22:45 and 23:00, the day ends with fireworks over the Elbe.
The final event is the departure parade on Sunday: the ships leave the port of Hamburg down the Elbe, accompanied by ships' horns and waving spectators on the banks. The harbour birthday is a rare opportunity to experience maritime history, to study legendary traditional sailing ships and modern ship technology up close and to be inspired by the diversity of seafaring.
Antonia von Lamezan
Volontärin
