Hamburg Events and Festivals 2014 / 2015

(Hamburg, Germany)

Hamburg puts on a host of festivals and events, with summer being the peak time for a number of all-time favourites. The spectacular backdrop of the city's natural attractions enhances the aesthetic nature of Hamburg's festivals. There's even a Dragon Boat Festival.

Two regular events in Hamburg include the Fishmarket - this has been a Hamburg institution every Sunday morning since 1703 at the Grosse Elbstrasse, and is especially popular with those wanting a quick snack and a beer before heading home after a long night out on the town; horse racing - this can be enjoyed twice weekly at the Volkspark turf.

Hamburg National Public Holidays

• 1st January (New Year's Day)
• Late March or early April - Good Friday / Easter Sunday / Easter Monday
• 1st May (Labour Day)
• Early May - Ascension Day, 40 days after Easter
• May / June - Whit / Pentecost Sunday and Monday
• 3rd October (Day of German Unity)
• 25th December (Christmas Day)
• 26th December (Boxing Day / St. Stephen's Day)

Hamburg Calender of Events and Festivals

January

• No significant events and festivals in Hamburg in the month of January

February

• No significant events and festivals in Hamburg in the month of February

March

• Hamburger DOM - also known as Dom Market, this month-long fair is full of exciting rides, games and stalls. Check out the fireworks and festive foods on offer. This event attracts up to three million visitors throughout the month, so don't expect to be the only one enjoying yourself. This event is also held in late July and late November

April

• Easter Market - at the Museum of Ethnology offers handmade crafts and a variety of interesting Easter decorations made in traditional German style. Painted Easter eggs are the most popular items on sale, as are plenty of cute toy chickens and furry Easter bunnies
• Easter - begins on Good Friday, when people eat fish as part of the Easter feast. Celebrations also include Easter fires, Easter bunnies and lovely decorated eggs. Parents hide chocolate eggs for children to find
• No Mercy Heavy Metal Festival - takes place at the beginning of April at the Markthalle. Prepare for an evening of deafening assault on your eardrums. Previous highlights have included Behemoth and Napalm Death

May

• Hamburg Port Festival (Hafengeburstag) - held in the first half of May, five days of celebrating the anniversary of the 800-year-old harbour. This is the largest port festival in the world and offers lots of attractions on the water, land and in the air. Several of the world's largest and most glorious sailing vessels also pay a visit
• Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival - takes place in mid-May, commemorating the first commercial links between Hamburg and Japan. Festivities include the election of a Cherry Blossom Queen and a fireworks display along the shoreline of the Alster Lake

June

• Mo and Friese Children's Short-Film Festival - held at the beginning of June, this is one of a small number of events focusing on this genre. It is aimed at children between 4 and 14 years, but also attracts a professional, international audience
• Hamburg Harley Days - end of June, this event combines tens of thousands of bikes from throughout Europe with hundreds of thousands of sightseers in a party atmosphere. Includes a large music stage, entertainment, biker bars, culminating in the 'big parade'

July

• Fleetinsel Festival - is held over ten days along the historic waterways between the Elbe River and the Alster Lake in the city centre. There are artistic, cultural and culinary attractions

August

• Hamburg BG Triathlon World Championships - held at the end of August and beginning of September, attracting around 8,000 athletes from 60 countries. The unique format allows all levels and age groups to participate and compete

September

• Alster Fair - held at the end of August and beginning of September on the banks of the Alster Lake. A varied collection of shows and spectacles, including artistic and theatrical performances, are offered
• International Fireworks Festival - held over four nights in August and September, with competitive fireworks displays from various countries around the world
• Reeperbahn Festival - takes place at the end of September for three days of frenziedly marvellous music in clubs in and around the Reeperbahn

October

• Day of German Unity -3rd October, commemorating the reunion of East and West Germany
• International Boat Show Hamburg - from the end of October to the beginning of November, this event showcases boats and ships from many countries at this important port city. The Hanseboot-Hafen, a dock full of dream yachts, is a favourite highlight

November

• Christmas Markets - spring up towards the end of November at various locations around the city. The most popular ones are Hanseatic Christmas Market and the Christmas Market Hamburg. There's always a glass of mulled wine waiting to beat the cold

December

• New Year Fireworks - are released over the Elbe River, conveniently near to the Reeperbahn nightlife strip, making for a great start to the new year. The best views can be had from the Landungsbrücke quay
• Sylvester Experience at the Phonodrome - rings in the new year with both local and imported DJs at Hamburg's house and techno palace