824rd HAMBURG PORT ANNIVERSARY - Welcome aboard!

2013's Programme

824rd HAMBURG PORT ANNIVERSARY - Programme Thursday 9. May (PDF)

824rd HAMBURG PORT ANNIVERSARY - Programme Friday 10. May (PDF)

824rd HAMBURG PORT ANNIVERSARY - Programme Saturday 11. May (PDF)

824rd HAMBURG PORT ANNIVERSARY - Programme Sunday 12. May (PDF)

Varied programme for the whole family

The HAMBURG PORT ANNIVERSARY celebrations on the River Elbe from 9 to 12 May will bring the majesty of tall ships, and the luxury of cruise vessels. This greatest port festival in the world will be celebrated for a whole four days this year, because it coincides with the public holiday for Ascension. All four days will be held before the unique backdrop of the Port of Hamburg and its famous Landing Stage (Landungsbrücken).

Highlights

International ecumenical service at the principal church St. Michaelis (14:00 on Thursday 9 May)

Grand Arrival Parade (16:00 on Thursday 9 May)

Christening ceremony for the MS EUROPA 2 (21:00 on Friday 10 May)

Tugboat Ballet (16:00 on Saturday 11 May)

Big AIDA Firework Display (22:30 on Saturday 11 May)

Grand Departure Parade (17:00 on Sunday 12 May)

Grand Arrival Parade

This unique parade with more than 300 vessels will be led by the Gorch Fock – the German Navy’s sail training ship, which has been adopted by Hamburg, will take part in this greatest port festival in the world for the second time.

Setting sail

Sailing ships stand for the romance of seafaring, for faraway places; they have always been among the most popular attractions of the HAMBURG PORT ANNIVERSARY. This year, impressive tall ships from all the world’s oceans have announced their participation. The Gorch Fock will be joined by the Kruzenshtern, a four-masted bark from Russia, the Mir from Russia, the Dar Mlodziezy from Poland, the sail cruising vessel Star Flyer, and the three-masted bark Alexander von Humboldt II. The sail training ship Cisne Branco has the longest voyage to get here – she is visiting Hamburg for the first time, from her home port in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Like most of the other vessels, the tall ships will be inviting guests on board to tour the ship.

The fascination of cruising

AIDA Cruises, the principal sponsor of the HAMBURG PORT ANNIVERSARY, offers an exclusive experience: The “AIDA World” at the Beach Club at Landungsbrücken gives guests an outstanding view of the programme on the Elbe, while enjoying exclusive food and drink. The cruise company will also participate in the world’s greatest port festival with its two club ships AIDAsol and AIDAluna. A total of 13 cruise vessels will be visiting Hamburg during the festivities – more than ever before. They include the “Dream Ship” MS Deutschland, the MS Astor, and the Fram from Norway.

Christening ceremony for the MS EUROPA 2 

The christening ceremony for the MS EUROPA 2 will be held at about 21:00 on Friday 10 May. Things could get noisy around Landungsbrücken at about 21:45 on Saturday evening, 11 May, with the Arrival Show for the Finale of the first Full Metal Cruise on board Mein Schiff 1. A special guest will be putting in a special appearance on the last day of the HAMBURG PORT ANNIVERSARY –the Queen Mary 2 arrives at 7:00 on Sunday 12 May, and leaves the port again at 19:00 hours.

Shore trip with live music and dolce vita

The “Festival Promenade” from Kehrwiederspitze to the Fish Auction Hall gives visitors a varied programme of activities and entertainment. Some 500 stands will be offering culinary delights, arts & crafts, and amusement rides. Live music will be performed at numerous venues, such as the NDR Stage at Landungsbrücken and the ASTRA Harbour Rock Stage to the west of the Old Elbe Tunnel.

Partner country Italy

Kehrwiederspitze will be dedicated to Italian style dolce vita. Italy is featuring the region of Liguria. That includes small trattorias for visitors to enjoy typical regional specialities, and the Enoteca Liguria for them to taste exclusive wines.

Fun with REWE

Directly next to St. Pauli Fish Market, the food retailer REWE will provide fun and entertainment for adults and children, with KiddyLand including a giant bouncy castle, and tractor racing, information on education and training, and a show programme and a beach club with a view to the Elbe.

Emperor Frederick Barbarossa

The HAMBURG PORT ANNIVERSARY dates back to Emperor Frederick Barbarossa who issued a charter to Hamburg merchants on 7 May 1189, granting freedom from customs duties for ships sailing the Elbe from Hamburg to the North Sea. This date has since then been considered the founding date of the Port of Hamburg, which is why the HAMBURG PORT ANNIVERSARY is celebrated.

Map of Harbour (starting April 2013) 

Accommodation

Contact

Getting to the HAMBURG PORT ANNIVERSARY
By S-Bahn: (S1 and S3) Station Landungsbrücken
By U-Bahn: (U3) Station Baumwall or Landungsbrücken. Once you arrive at the Landungsbrücken, you will be directly by the Harbour.