Hamburg

The Long Night of Museums is held annually, offering all art lovers the opportunity to visit as many exhibitions as they can in one night. Guided tours, culinary delights, music, dance and many other events in more than 50 museums and exhibition locations are waiting for you. Create your individual route and explore different museums in eight long night hours.

Since 1999, the photo festival has taken place every third year in Hamburg, Germany, together with the city's major museums, cultural institutions, galleries and other organisers. Meanwhile, the Triennial of Photography has become an important festival of international emission. Besides a great variety of exhibitions under a common motto — highly topical photographic themes are analysed.

Hamburg celebrates the Festival of Love: The Number 1 among all European Schlager spectacles, the Hamburg Schlagermove, is a party of superlatives. Anywhere up to half a million Schlager fans dance at the 45 colourfully decorated music trucks. 'If the Sun shines in your heart', you're between Kiez and the harbour.

The world's biggest World Triathlon Championship Series in Hamburg takes place on the picturesque streets of the city. Athletes compete in three disciplines: swimming, cycling and running. Professional and recreational athletes combine the athletic ambition with the special atmosphere around Hamburg which creates a unique experience. Come to cheer the participants or take part yourself.

The history of the Christopher Street Day in Hamburg goes back more than 40 years. Back in the summer of 1980, it was the first time that lesbians, gays, bisexuals and trans people marched for their rights in the Hanseatic City. The Hamburg CSD has become a popular people's festival that draws more visitors to the Elbe year after year — everyone is welcome! In 2010 alone, about 100,000 visitors came to the big CSD parade from all over Europe, and visitor numbers are constantly increasing.

The Affordable Art Fair Hamburg features 80 local, national, and international galleries showcasing a vast array of contemporary art. Discover fresh new talents alongside well-known names, with the curated Emerging Artist Exhibition making it easy to spot the up-and-coming stars of the future.

Three days full of maritime mood, sensual pleasures and entertainment — many large cruise ships are calling at Hamburg during the Hamburg Cruise Days. During these days the harbour is a world of experience and invites its visitors to explore maritime markets, shopping, fashion, design, sports and relaxation, activities for children, music, entertainment and culinary delights prepared by top restaurateurs in town.

When nights are still mild and yet getting incrementally longer, residents and guests alike enjoy the Hamburg Theatre Night, taking place each year in September. With a ticket covering bus, train and Alster barge fares, you can embark on a fascinating journey through countless theatre, opera, ballet, cabaret and comedy performances. All those who can retain their energy until the early morning hours can enjoy a drink or two in the legendary St Pauli district, where the long theatre night ends with a big party.

The magnificent, neo-baroque structure of the Laeiszhalle provides a wonderful ambience for an unforgettable evening of classical music, not to mention the jazz, pop and children's concerts. The Laeiszhalle Hamburg has had its role to play in musical history right from the very beginning: Prominent artists such as Richard Strauss, Sergei Prokofiev, Igor Stravinsky and Paul Hindemith all performed and conducted their own works here. Today, the Laeiszhalle continues to welcome stars from the international music scene, and at the same time it is a meeting place for Hamburg's musical life.

At Hamburg's naughtiest Christmas market, it's not only the mulled wine that gets the visitors hot. Live music, a fireplace lounge on the winter deck and a strip tent are a temptation to naughty and frivolous merriment on a Christmas market stroll on Spielbudenplatz. The market stays open late into the night, in keeping with its special location on the Reeperbahn. The most unbridled Christmas market of the lovely Hanseatic city not only guarantees conventional Christmas market stands, but also offers an open-air art gallery and Sunday children's programme — fun for young and old alike. For those who fancy mulled wine, the Winterdeck is the place to be. The cosy bar with a blazing fireplace provides visitors with the Christmas drinks they desire. The over-18s fir forest, set up in the manner of the Reeperbahn, offers strip shows as well as frivolous and crackling erotic readings.

The entire market is dazzling with Christmas lights. Its themes, the colour of the lights and luminosity match the contemporary architectural language of the location. The appearance of the Christmas market blends in harmoniously with the ambience around Hamburg's newly designed luxury boulevard with the local hotels, businesses, the Alsterhaus and other exclusive boutiques. A lovely Christmas market for atmospheric hours.

Between Stadthausbrücke and Rödingsmarkt is a clever mixture of Hanseatic tradition and a modern attitude to life. The proximity to the harbour and the direct connection to the Alster lend the Fleet Christmas market a very special maritime atmosphere. The delicious Christmas specialities or a contemplative glass of mulled wine with friends or family can help you forget the hustle and bustle of the pre-Christmas season — in the peaceful tranquillity of a renovated square, without the street noise and glaring lights. Stands with gift items are also an invitation to take a stroll. Meanwhile, the younger visitors can have fun on the children's carousel.