10 Things to Do in Hamburg at Christmas

If you're planning a visit to Hamburg, you'll be able to get to know one of Germany's most important cities. Founded as a port city, it was the epicentre of the country's industrial development and is now a cultural beacon of northern Europe, but it is also a destination that is completely transformed on Christmas Eve, offering illuminated street decorations, themed markets and an infectious festive spirit.

Some of the best things to do in Hamburg over Christmas include attending a seasonal concert at the Elbe Philharmonic, discovering the city lights on a cruise, gazing at the fir tree on Alster Lake, ice skating at the EisArena, browsing the local markets, strolling along Neuer Wall and marvelling at the fireworks.

Germany has a long tradition of Christmas markets, which are very popular in several cities across the country, and Hamburg is no exception. In Hamburg, the one on Town Hall Square is the most popular on the eve of Christmas Eve and offers a festive atmosphere where you can explore stalls decorated with traditional handicrafts, gifts and a wide range of culinary offerings.

The magic of this market is that it is located on the square in front of Hamburg's Town Hall, which is one of the city's most beautiful buildings. The illuminated pedestrian walkways and winter decorations add to the Christmas atmosphere. The market also offers seasonal delicacies such as grilled sausages and sweets, which is why it is often included in Hamburg's best food tours.

If you plan to visit the city with children, you will also find a small ice skating rink, live carol concerts and even the presence of Father Christmas, who in December appears several times a day at the market at different times.

Hamburg, which is also known as Germany's Gateway to the World, offers more than 15 Christmas markets throughout the city during the festive season. In addition to the Town Hall Square market , you can also visit the St. Pauli market, which specialises in food, and the nearby Lübeck Christmas Tree Market, famous for its festive decorations and handmade products, ideal places for a culinary tour of the city.

The Elbe Philharmonic is one of Hamburg's most popular cultural hotspots and during the Christmas season you can attend the closing Christmas performances.

The concert hall building, which combines traditional harbour warehouse design with avant-garde architecture, offers panoramic views of the city, but is also considered one of the best acoustic venues in the world, so you'll get the full experience.

During Christmas Eve, the Elbe Philharmonic offers everything from timeless classical performances to contemporary interpretations. In addition to the local orchestra's performance, theatrical productions of works such as The Nutcracker are an ideal alternative if you are planning to visit Hamburg with children.

Note that attending a concert at the Elbe Philharmonic during Christmas is much more than just a musical experience, it's also a way to immerse yourself in the local idiosyncrasies and share in one of the city's most traditional activities.

Hamburg is essentially a port city, so one of the best ways to get to know it is to take a cruise on someof the city's best cruise ships. These experiences, during Christmas, take on an extra touch, as they allow you to explore, from a different perspective, the lights that characterise this destination on Christmas Eve and turn the city's skyline into a resplendent scene.

Hamburg during the winter takes on a festive atmosphere that spreads through the streets, squares and buildings, which you can discover particularly if you choose a night cruise on the river Elbe.

From the deck of the boat you can discover the city's main monuments illuminated, the giant Christmas trees that crown the most visited arteries and enjoy a relaxing stroll along the waterfront.

Most of the night cruises, moreover, start their tours after sunset, so you can combine this activity with watching the sunset from the banks of the river Elbe. The harbour area is also home to some of Hamburg's best museums.

One of Hamburg's most popular traditions during the festive eve is the installation of giant Christmas trees in different parts of the city, and the Alster Lake Christmas tree is the most famous of these. From the first days of December, this tree becomes a central element of the cityscape, capturing the attention of residents and visitors alike.

The structure of the fir tree, adorned with twinkling lights and allusive decorations, creates a dazzling visual spectacle that is reflected in the waters of the lake. This symbolic Christmas tree not only adds a festive touch to the surroundings, but also becomes a traditional meeting point for those looking to soak up the spirit of the season.

One of the best ways to discover the Alster Lake fir tree is to take part in a bike tour of the surrounding area or choose theHamburg sightseeing bus tours, which includes a stop in the area and will allow you to get there while taking shelter from the cold and winter temperatures.

On Christmas Eve, the Christmas tree becomes the festive symbol marking the start of the season and the epicentre of the city's activities and events.

St. Pauli is also known as one of the world's most famous red light districts. It is not only one of the city's most picturesque neighbourhoods, but also the focus of local entertainment and the best place to sample the local cuisine. During Christmas time, the local flea market becomes a themed scene reflecting the rich culinary heritage of the region.

Typical dishes include the popular roast sausages with spicy sauces, gingerbread and potato fritters. You can also try glühwein, a spiced mulled wine that is part of a long-established tradition in German culture at Christmas time and is ideal to combat the cold of winter in Hamburg.

In St. Pauli, you can also discover the cultural diversity of the city and the popular red light district, which is considered one of the most visited in Europe. During the tour you will have the opportunity to explore the more erotic side of this destination and also the streets that were once part of the forbidden zone. All this puts the district on the circuit of the best tours in Hamburg.

If you want to take part in one of Hamburg's most traditional Christmas activities, you can't miss ice skating at the EisArena rink. This open micro-stadium, located on the outskirts of the city, allows you to enjoy this sport in a themed environment decorated with Christmas motifs.

Around the perimeter of the stadium, in addition to the eve decorations, you'll find children's games, bars and restaurants as well as places to rent equipment such as boots and skates. During the winter in Hamburg at the EisArena you can also enjoy other seasonal sports such as curling.

This activity is ideal if you are planning to visit Hamburg with children and are putting together a list of family plans. However, there's fun for adults too, whether you want to experience the skating experience or just relax and have a hot drink around the perimeter of the rink.

If you think celebrating Christmas with the Beatles is impossible, it's because you haven't yet visited Hamburg. This German city was very important in the musical development of the legendary band, who in the early 1960s moulded their style in the pubs of Reeperbahn, so today in the area, geographically located in the district of St. Pauli but informally forming a separate neighbourhood, you can find the Beatles Platz.

This space is a tribute to the Fab Four and during Christmas Eve offers a different experience, where fans of the band gather to share their passion for their music, transforming the site into an improvised stage for spontaneous concerts. During the Christmas season, Reeperbahn is the only place in the city where Christmas carols are replaced by the Beatles' legendary tunes.

Like Strawberry Fields in New York and other venues around the world that formed an important part of the band's legacy, at Beatles Platz the festive and nostalgic atmosphere transports those present back to a golden age of music. However, this unique celebration not only celebrates Christmas, but also pays tribute to the indelible mark the Beatles left on Hamburg and the history of world music.

Celebrating Christmas at Beatles Platz is an experience where the passion for music merges with the spirit of the season. The mix of timeless tunes, festive lighting and the company of passionate fans creates a unique event that honours the enduring influence of the Beatles and connects generations.

Outside the maritime and fishing districts, Hamburg also has some of Germany's most exclusive areas, but none of them reach the level of Neuer Wall. This small district, nestled between canals in the north of the city, is the site of luxury shopping and, at Christmas time, the epicentre of festive decorations, with garlands, illuminated shop windows and decorations on every corner.

Neuer Wall is well known as a shopper's paradise, not only because it is home to some of the world's most famous brands, but also because it is where you can find last-minute discounts close to Christmas Eve, which will help you find exclusive and well-priced gifts on Christmas Eve.

Beyond the shopping, however, walking along Neuer Wall will allow you to step into a charming setting that is often included in the itineraries of Hamburg's best tours, especially if you plan to visit the city during the winter or during the change of season, when you can find discounts and bargain prices.

One of the most anticipated spectacles during Christmas in Hamburg is the Alster Lake fireworks show, which you can watch from the shore of the Alster Lake. Every year on Christmas Eve, the city's sky is illuminated with sparkles and dazzling colours thanks to a fireworks display celebrating the festive day. This display of lights adds to the atmosphere reflected in the waters of the lake.

From the banks of the Alster, you can enjoy a privileged view of the fireworks, crowned by the giant fir tree in the centre of the lake. The silhouette of the city in the background will be silhouetted in the glow of the colourful explosions, creating an unforgettable backdrop during this Christmas tradition.

From the lakeside, you can also discover the nearby sites illuminated by the pyrotechnics. The area around the Alster, such as the Jungfernstieg and Town Hall Square, becomes the epicentre of the Christmas festivities and you can also spot the silhouette of the Kunsthalle building, which houses one of Hamburg's finest museums.

If you're looking for an activity that combines a local Hamburg tradition with an eclectic experience, then you can't miss a fish auction in the city's harbour. This long-established custom takes on special relevance during Christmas, especially on Christmas Eve, when bidding becomes even more common and crowded than during the rest of the year.

Fish auctions in the harbour are a local tradition that harks back to a custom where fishermen, once they had landed their catch, would offer it to the highest bidder. When Hamburg's maritime trade became more widespread, these bids continued to be made, albeit in smaller circles. Nowadays, it is a habit that is still practised today, bringing families looking for fresh, quality fish for Christmas Eve dinner together at Christmas time.

Please note that to live this unique experience, it is necessary to get up early and arrive early in the morning, around 6.00 am. Shoppers and onlookers congregate in the bustling harbour, where competition for the best products is intense, and strategic bidding skills are an integral part of Hamburg's harbour skyline.

At the auction site, in addition to the fish on auction, you will find additional fresh food and seafood stalls. Auctions usually start early and end around midday.