Cultural Guide To Hamburg 2023

With more than 40 theatres, 60 museums, and 100 music venues and clubs, it’s not surprising culture vultures from around the world flock to Hamburg. This vibrant city has something to suit every taste, so if you’re thinking about taking a Hamburg culture trip this year, you’re in for an unforgettable experience.

Hamburg’s love affair with art and culture is centuries old. Being both an important port city from the 1200s onwards and a free, independent city until it joined the German Federation in 1815 helped nurture the city’s strong appreciation of culture. This spirit continues to be a tangible influence among Hamburg’s residents and is something that wins the admiration and envy of the many people who visit the city for business or pleasure. Discover this year’s artistic, musical, theatrical, and other highlights with our 2023 Hamburg culture guide and plan a truly memorable stay.

Cultural Highlights of Hamburg: What to See and Where to Go

Don’t miss out on these Hamburg culture highlights when you’re in the city.

Explore Speicherstadt and Kontorhaus District: Discover the Hanseatic city’s maritime past by strolling through Speicherstadt and the adjacent Kontorhaus District, both of which are Hamburg UNESCO World Heritage sites. Both areas offer some of the most beautiful examples of industrial and commercial architecture in Hamburg.

Attend a Ballet Performance: Be mesmerised by the grace and strength of talented dancers at a performance at Hamburg Ballet John Neumeier. The company’s 2023 program includes a stunning variety of shows, from Sleeping Beauty, Saint Matthew Passion, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream to original concepts formulated and choreographed by John Neumeier. Hamburg Ballet, Dammtorstraße 28, Hamburg.

Discover the Art Mile: Hamburg’s Art Mile (Kunstmeile) is an association of five famous art museums located within walking distance of each other. Together the Bucerius Kunst Forum, Deichtorhallen Hamburg, Hamburger Kunsthalle, Kunstverein Hamburg, and Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe Hamburg exhibit 4,000 years’ worth of applied arts and design, drawing, painting, photography, and sculpture. Purchase an Art Mile Pass as an easy way to visit each museum on the route.

Visit MARKK Hamburg: Properly known as Museum am Rothenbaum – Kulturen und Künste der Welt, MARKK Hamburg is one of the world’s largest ethnology museums. Admire the museum’s collection of 350,000 objects and gain insights into cultures around the world.

Be amazed by the Elbphilharmonie: One of the world’s largest concert venues, the Elbphilharmonie is a must-see for lovers of art and architecture in Hamburg. Go on a guided tour of the building and see the view from the platform at the top or attend a performance for a completely different appreciation of the space. Elbphilharmonie, Platz der Deutschen Einheit, HafenCity.

Theatre, Arts, and Music 

No Hamburg culture trip is complete without taking in some of the theatre, arts, and music happening in the city this year. Take a look at some of the most popular productions, performances, and exhibitions in 2023.

Masha Silchenko: Nothing Ever Happened: See Masha Silchenko’s paintings, drawings, and sculptures which explore the night as a sanctuary for magical beings. Kunstverein Harburger Bahnhof. Until 11 March. 

Femme Fatale: Gaze – Power – Gender: View artworks from the 19^th century to the present in a critical examination of the myth of the femme fatale in its genesis and historical transformation. Hamburger Kunsthalle. Until 10 April.

Italian Opera Week: This year’s Italian Opera Week opens with the premiere of Puccini's Il Trittico. The week also offers six repertoire productions. Hamburgische Staatsoper, Dammtorstraße 28. 12 March – 23 April.

7^th Hamburg International Music Festival: Enjoy performances by the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra, the Hamburg Symphony Orchestra, Ensemble Resonnanz, and a host of guest performers at the 7^th Hamburg International Music Festival. Elbphilharmonie and the Laieszhalle. 28 April – 7 June.

39^th Hamburg International Short Film Festival: Choose from a huge range of acclaimed short films from around the world and attend special events at various locations in Hamburg, Germany. 6 – 11 June.

3rd International Spielbuden Festival: Watch street theatre performances by top artists from the international street art scene at the 3^rd International Spielbuden Festival. Spielbudenplatz 21 – 22, Hamburg. 21 – 23 July.

Anja Dietmann: Bar Collo: Artist and editor of Pfeil Magazine, Anja Dietman, is curating the bar of the Kunstverein Harburger Bahnhof for one year. Enjoy performative drinks, food, music, and readings, and admire a site-specific mural by British painter Bod Mellor at Kunstverein Harburger Bahnhof. Until 5 August.

Reeperbahn Festival: The Reeperbahn Festival has become one of the music industry’s most important events. Discover up-and-coming musicians and singers who soon might become household names. Various locations, Reeperbahn, Hamburg. 20 – 23 September.

Stay at Fraser Suites Hamburg

Located in the prime Rödingsmarkt neighbourhood in HafenCity in the city centre, Fraser Suites Hamburg is the perfect hotel for your Hamburg culture trip. Fraser Suites Hamburg is a cultural icon as the hotel is in a listed historical property which was once the Oberfinanzdirektion, a listed building dating back to 1907, so you aren’t limited to simply admiring architecture in Hamburg from the outside.

Inside this striking building, you’ll find spacious, comfortable suites with contemporary interiors, fully equipped kitchenettes, and well-appointed living areas. Other facilities available at our hotel include an elegant restaurant and bar that exude 1920s glamour, a fully equipped 24-hour gym, meeting rooms, a sauna, and a library.

When you stay at Fraser Suites Hamburg, you stay in comfort and style in a great location that puts you in easy reach of Hamburg’s cultural highlights.

Come to Hamburg

Make 2023 your year for discovering Hamburg culture. You’ll find incredible architecture, mesmerising theatre and music performances, stunning visual art and design, film festivals, and much more in a modern city with ancient roots. Contact us and book your stay at Fraser Suites Hamburg.