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Hamburg Harbour Birthday - "the biggest harbour festival in the world"
With the Hamburg harbour birthday Every year in May there is a World-class maritime celebration Hamburg Harbour Festival, which not only makes the hearts of Hanseatic citizens beat faster, but also radiates beyond the borders of Germany. Every year, Hamburg's harbour is transformed into a stage for maritime life: majestic sailing ships come in, musicians and artists create a festive atmosphere and visitors from all over the world enjoy the many attractions along the Elbe. Right in the centre and particularly impressive Experience the harbour festival on board our traditional sailing ship Eye of the Wind.
What is celebrated at the harbour birthday?
The Hamburg Harbour Birthday celebrates the Anniversary of the founding of the Port of Hamburgallegedly on 7 May 1189 through a charter by Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa. Although the authenticity of this document is doubted today, this does not prevent the founding of the Free Port of Hamburg from being celebrated every year around 7 May since 1977. To mark the occasion, ships from all over the world call at the Hanseatic city, many of which can be visited during the festivities.
The supporting programme for the Port Birthday is extensive and offers concerts, street artists, exhibitions, gastronomic offerings, fireworks and much more. The Hamburg Harbour Birthday is far more than just a festival for sailors and lovers of maritime traditions. He is a Symbolising the importance of the Port of Hamburg as a gateway to the world and as a vibrant centre of trade and culture.
The history of the harbour
With its over 800-year history the port of Hamburg has inspired generations of seafarers and the Development of the city of Hamburg significantly characterised. Today it is one of the largest and most important seaports in the world.
How is the harbour birthday celebrated?
The current celebrations of the Hamburg Harbour Birthday offer a Large number of eventsthat reflect the vibrancy of maritime life. The City of Hamburg always publishes the programme several weeks in advance. One of the highlights is the impressive Run-in parade of the participating ships. The Tugboat ballet fascinates with a choreographed demonstration of the powerful tractors in the harbour.
In the evening, visitors experience a Spectacular fireworks or light spectacle that illuminates the sky above the harbour and creates an unforgettable atmosphere. Numerous concerts along the harbour promenade offer music for every taste, from traditional sea shanties to modern music. In addition, there are Maritime exhibitions and open-air markets with a wide range of Arts and crafts, souvenirs and gastronomy. Here, visitors can also sample the specialities of the respective partner country.
Even without any events at all, you can gain a very special insight into the authentic maritime life get. In the harbour, you will observe the mooring and casting off manoeuvres of the historic ships, mooring boats as they are used in Manoeuvres of the museum ships assist deckhands and machinists in their work.
Join in the celebrations at the Hamburg harbour birthday
The Hamburg harbour birthday is a special festival that Hamburg's Maritime tradition and diversity celebrated. A visit is worthwhile to see the impressive traditional ships and experience the unique atmosphere along the Elbe. Especially the opportunity to see the to marvel at the majestic tall ships and enjoy the festival atmosphere is worth a visit to the harbour birthday.
The Eye of the Wind visits the Hamburg Harbour Birthday and thus her first home port, whenever our Cruise plan participation in the harbour festival is permitted. At the Open Ship, at Day and evening trips (with or without overnight stay) we look forward to welcoming many visitors and day guests. If you would like to experience the harbour birthday with us on board, take a look at Harbour festivals to our website or Contact us You are welcome to contact us.
Experience the harbour festival on the water
Ride in the run-in paradeThe grand entry parade is one of the highlights of the harbour birthday. Around 250 ships from all over the world, tall ships, naval and government vessels as well as traditional and museum ships, enter the port of Hamburg together and are greeted at the jetties with three gun salutes from the museum ship Rickmer Rickmers. You can also watch this spectacle Experience it from the water - on board the Eye of the Wind. After casting off, we first sail downstream, past the green banks of the Elbe. We then join the large convoy in. Accompanied by thousands of onlookers on both banks of the Elbe, Hamburg welcomes all guest ships at the St. Pauli Landungsbrücken that are honouring the Hanseatic city for the harbour birthday. After breaking up the parade formation, the Eye of the Wind heads for its assigned berth. Together with other traditional sailing ships, it offers an unusual sight. Photo motif in a great harbour setting. There is no better way to big run-in parade experience. Our crew looks forward to welcoming you on board.
Day and evening trips: With the Eye of the Wind you can Day and evening trips on the water. A trip of several hours on the historic windjammer offers you the most beautiful view of the colourful hustle and bustle on land and on the sea. the scenic beauty of the Lower Elbe. While the muffled honking of the harbour tugs in the lively part of the harbour becomes quieter and quieter, we sail slowly past the museum harbour of Oevelgönne and soon after see the white villas of the noble Hamburg suburb of Blankenese on our starboard side. In the stylish ambience of the saloon or on the open sun deck of the Eye of the Wind, you can enjoy a delicious meal from our galley with a maritime flair.
Sailing in the big departure parade: The final highlight is the Participation in the run-out parade of the largest harbour festival in the world. An impressive fleet of ships forms a large convoy. The spectrum ranges from small Elbe fishing boats to huge ocean-going cruisers. After setting sail from the Hanseatic city's harbour, our Eye of the Wind also sails down the Elbe and joins the sailing and steaming fleet. Accompanied by thousands of onlookers on both banks of the Elbe, all participating ships bid farewell to the host city of Hamburg and its visitors at St. Pauli Landungsbrücken.
Open Ship: As part of a tour of the ship on the Eye of the Wind, the Regular crew The ship is open to all seafarers, ship lovers and young sea dogs, who can ask questions about the ship and its history - free of charge. Visitors can try out sailor's knots and collectors will also receive a neat ship's stamp.