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Hamburg Harbour Birthday – "world's biggest harbour festival"
Every year in May, the Hamburg Harbour Birthday is a world-class maritime celebration that not only makes the hearts of Hamburg's residents beat faster, but also shines beyond Germany's borders. The Port of Hamburg is transformed into a stage for maritime life: majestic sailing ships arrive, musicians and artists create a festive atmosphere, and visitors from all over the world enjoy the many attractions along the Elbe. You can experience the harbour festival up close and in particularly impressive style on board our traditional sailing ship the 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 Hamburg, allegedly on 7 May 1189 by a charter from Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa. Although the authenticity of this document is now disputed, this has not prevented the founding of the Free Port of Hamburg from being celebrated annually around 7 May since 1977. On this occasion, ships from all over the world sail to the Hanseatic city, many of which can be visited during the festivities.
The supporting programme for the Harbour Birthday is extensive and includes concerts, street performers, exhibitions, food and drink, fireworks and much more. The Hamburg Port Anniversary is much more than just a celebration for sailors and lovers of maritime traditions. It is a symbol of the importance of the Port of Hamburg as a gateway to the world and a vibrant centre of trade and culture.
The history of the harbour
With over 800 years of history, the Port of Hamburg has inspired generations of seafarers and played a key role in shaping the development of the city of Hamburg. Today, it is considered one of the largest and most important seaports in the world.
How is the Harbour Birthday celebrated?
The current celebrations for Hamburg Harbour Birthday offer a variety of events that reflect the vibrancy of maritime life. The City of Hamburg always publishes the programme a few weeks in advance. One of the highlights is the impressive sail-in parade of participating ships. The tugboat ballet fascinates with a choreographed display of powerful tugboats in the harbour.
In the evening, visitors can enjoy spectacular fireworks or light shows that light up the sky above the harbour and create an unforgettable atmosphere. Numerous concerts along the harbour promenade offer music for every taste, from traditional sea shanties to modern music. In addition, maritime exhibitions and open-air markets attract visitors 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 celebration that honours Hamburg's maritime tradition and diversity. It is well worth a visit to see the impressive traditional ships and experience the unique atmosphere along the Elbe. The opportunity to marvel at the majestic tall ships and enjoy the festive atmosphere makes a visit to the Harbour Birthday particularly worthwhile.
The Eye of the Wind visits Hamburg Harbour Birthday celebrations and thus her first home port whenever our sailing schedule allows us to participate in the festival. We look forward to welcoming many visitors and day guests during open ship events, day trips and evening cruises (with or without overnight stays). If you would like to experience Harbour Birthday celebrations with us on board, please visit the Harbour Festivals section of our website or feel free to contact us.
Experience the harbour festival on the water
Take part in the sail-in parade: The grand arrival parade is one of the highlights of the Harbour Birthday celebrations. Around 250 ships from all over the world, including tall ships, naval and government vessels, as well as traditional and museum ships, sail into the Port of Hamburg together and are greeted at the Landungsbrücken with three gun salutes from the museum ship Rickmer Rickmers. You can also experience this spectacle from the water – aboard 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. Accompanied by thousands of spectators on both banks of the Elbe, Hamburg welcomes all guest ships that are honouring the Hanseatic city on its harbour birthday at the St. Pauli Landungsbrücken. After the parade formation has been dissolved, the Eye of the Wind heads for her assigned berth. Together with other traditional sailing ships, it offers an unusual photo opportunity against a magnificent harbour backdrop. There is no better way to experience the grand sail-in parade. Our crew looks forward to welcoming you on board.
Day and evening trips: You can take day and evening trips on the Eye of the Wind. A cruise lasting several hours on this historic windjammer offers you the most beautiful view of the hustle and bustle on land and the scenic beauty of the Lower Elbe. As the muffled honking of the harbour tugs in the lively part of the harbour fades away, we slowly sail past the Oevelgönne museum harbour and soon afterwards see the white villas of the posh 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 in a maritime atmosphere.
Sail along in the grand sail-out parade: The finale highlight is participation in the departure parade of the world's largest harbour festival. An impressive fleet of ships forms a large convoy. The spectrum ranges from small Elbe fishing boats to huge ocean cruisers. After casting off from the port of the Hanseatic city, the Eye of the Wind sails downstream and joins the sailing and steaming fleet. Accompanied by thousands of spectators on both banks of the Elbe, all participating ships bid farewell to the host city of Hamburg and its visitors at the St. Pauli Landungsbrücken.
Open Ship: During a tour of the Eye of the Wind, the regular crew will answer questions about the ship and its history from sightseers, sailors, ship enthusiasts and young sea dogs – free of charge. Visitors can try their hand at tying sailor's knots, and collectors will also receive a decorative ship stamp.