The 833rd Hamburg Port Birthday is imminent. From September 16th to 18th, 2022, hundreds of thousands of visitors will celebrate in the Hanseatic city. Here is an overview.
Hamburg – The 833rd Hamburg Port Birthday will take place from September 16th to 18th, 2022. The harbor mile around the Landungsbrücken will then again become a party hotspot for ship fans and other visitors. Over a million people came to the last edition in 2019. Here is an overview of the items on the program for the 833rd Hamburg Port Birthday.
| City: | Hanseatic City of Hamburg |
| Special location: | Port of Hamburg |
| Foundation in the year: | 1189 |
| Surface: | 43.31 km2 |
The program for Hamburg Port Birthday 2022 has been set
The port of Hamburg was officially founded in 1189. It has been the landmark of the Hanseatic City of Hamburg for 833 years. It has been duly celebrated annually since 1977: with ship parades, concerts and a colorfully designed harbor mile. In 2022, the port birthday should also be a special event for Hamburg residents and visitors from all over the world. Especially because the last two editions in 2020 and 2021 had to be canceled due to the corona pandemic. Quite atypically, the celebration takes place in September this year; the event normally takes place in May. Here is an overview of the program.
The arrival parade with over 300 ships – a naval ship leads them
The arrival parade at the Hamburg Port Birthday is always a very special highlight. This year, too, more than 300 ships will take part and amaze visitors. The official start of the port birthday is the opening service on September 16 at 11:30 a.m. in St. Michaelis Church. However, the arrival parade on September 16 from 1:30 p.m. heralds the maritime event. For more than an hour, all participating ships will sail into the port of Hamburg in front of the visitors. The starting shot is traditionally given on the Rickmer Rickmers.
- The arrival parade of the 833rd Hamburg Port Birthday:
- Start: September 16, 1:30 p.m
- Starting gun on: Rickmer Rickmers
- Starting signal from: Peter Tschentscher (Hamburg’s First Mayor)
- First Ship: Bayern (German Navy)
- Participating Ships: Over 300
- Exit parade: September 18, 3:00 p.m
Hamburg’s First Mayor Peter Tschentscher will officially open the 833rd Hamburg Port Birthday on the Rickmer Rickmers. After the starting gun has been given, more than 300 ships will sail along the approximately four kilometer long harbor mile. The entry parade is led this year by the Bayern, a frigate of the German Navy. From 3:00 p.m. the so-called tractor ballet will be performed. Four harbor tugs equipped with several 1000 hp drive in a choreography in front of the Landungsbrücken – meanwhile classical music is playing. On September 18 from 3:00 p.m., all ships that have entered the port will then set sail again.
Parties on stages at the Hamburg harbor birthday – these stars make an appearance
Anyone who is not particularly interested in ships or needs a change after the arrival parade and tugboat ballet can celebrate in front of around ten different stages. Stars of the 80s, 90s and today perform on them. Featuring 1990s stars Rednex, Mr. President, Captain Jack and more. Many German and especially Hamburg artists will also be allowed to perform in 2022: for example Tonbandgerät, Pohlmann and Selig. An overview of all concerts during the 833rd Hamburg Port Birthday.
- Some stages during the 833rd Hamburg Port Birthday:
- NDR 90.3 Stage: Old Elbe Tunnel
- Rewe stage: Hamburg fish market
- Rock antenna stage: Hafenstrasse
- Harbor Pride: Fish Auction Hall
- Harbor Beatz: Beach Club Strand Pauli car park
- Concerts on Screen: Elbphilharmonie
Harbor Pride is taking place again this year. Anyone who celebrated the CSD in Hamburg will love the party location. The gay and lesbian community invites all interested visitors to celebrate and exchange ideas with them. The Harbor Beatz, an electro festival in the parking lot of the Beach Club Strand Pauli, is making its debut. Anyone who prefers quieter tones will be happy in front of the Elbphilharmonie. Around 18 concerts from the Hamburg landmark will be presented there on a large screen. It should be a best of the last few years.
“Hamburg’s lights more” – the light show including fireworks will take place this year at the port birthday
At the Hamburg Cruise Days in 2022, the traditional fireworks were canceled. The reason was solidarity with Ukraine, which has been at war with Russia for months. The loud play of colors was replaced by a drone show, in which various figures were created by drones in the sky – including a large peace sign. At the Hamburg Port Birthday, everything should run as usual. That means: The fireworks will take place this year – just a short time after the Cruise Days.
When will the fireworks take place at the Hamburg Harbor Birthday?
This year there will be fireworks at the port birthday in Hamburg. Together with a light show, the fireworks will take place at the 833rd Hamburg Port Birthday on Saturday, September 17, 2022, from 9:30 p.m. The fireworks will be set off from the southern bank of the Elbe at the port birthday party. Similar to the Cruise Days, the light show should illuminate the AIDAPrima and integrate the performance.
The light show including fireworks is scheduled to take place on September 17, 2022 from 9:30 p.m. Under the motto “Hamburg’s sea of lights”, the cruise ship AIDAprima will be illuminated by several lights while music is playing. The crowning highlight is then the fireworks, which are ignited on the southern bank of the Elbe. The competent authority justifies the fireworks at the Hamburg Port Birthday, in contrast to the Cruise Days, with the fact that “the fireworks are expected by the audience.” Unlike usual, there will only be a small fireworks display at the end – due to the pollution of the environment.
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Roadblocks during the harbor birthday – use of public transport recommended
In order to guarantee a smooth process, there will also be a few roadblocks around the event site at the 833rd Hamburg Port Birthday. The entire four-kilometre-long harbor mile will be cordoned off over a large area, and massive traffic restrictions for drivers are to be expected. Traveling by public transport is recommended, even if the 9-euro ticket is now history and a successor ticket is not yet available. The event area of the harbor birthday even has opening times:
Port birthday Hamburg opening hours
The Hamburg Port Birthday will take place from Friday, September 16 to Sunday, September 18, 2022 in the Port of Hamburg. The event site is open on Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to midnight. On Sunday, the Hamburg Port Birthday is open again from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
A large part of the Hamburg Port Birthday events take place around the Landungsbrücken. The best way to get here is to take the S1 or S3 to the Landungsbrücken stop – the U3 also stops at this station. Those arriving who start their journey south of the Elbe must expect restrictions due to the closure of the Elbbrücken S-Bahn station. If you want to come by car despite the restrictions, you can choose from a number of multi-storey car parks in the vicinity of the event site. On hamburg.de there is even an overview including the current occupancy. The 834th Hamburg Port Birthday in 2024 will take place from May 5th to 7th.
