Hamburg celebrates Cruise Days: Big festival at the harbor attracts hundreds of thousands!

Hamburg celebrates Cruise Days: Big festival at the harbor attracts hundreds of thousands!

The events will take place in Hamburg from September 12th to 14th, 2025 Hamburg Cruise Days which is already celebrating its tenth edition. This popular event attracts several hundred thousand visitors every year and promises an exciting program at the Landungsbrücken. This time a total of eight cruise ships from various shipping companies are expected in the port of Hamburg.

The start of the Cruise Days begins on Friday evening, September 12th, with a festive fireworks display when the “Vasco da Gama” from nicko cruises enters the harbor. This will be a spectacular event designed to delight guests. On Saturday evening, September 13th, the big Hamburg Cruise Days Parade follows, which provides musical accompaniment to the ships and lets them move down the Elbe together.

A colorful supporting program

In addition to the ship parade, visitors are offered a diverse program that includes cabaret, activities for children and numerous food and drink stands. Attending the Cruise Days is intended for the entire family and is intended to provide a relaxed atmosphere.

Another highlight of the event is the light artwork by artist Michael Batz. The harbor is bathed in blue light, which is generated by more than 9,000 light elements. This impressive spectacle takes place as part of the 140th anniversary of Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) and will be visible from September 10th to 21st.

Logistics and environmental issues

The Cruise Days are financed by sponsorship from three major cruise lines and take place at a new cruise terminal in Hafencity, which is located next to the Westfield Hamburg-Überseequartier. Hamburg has a total of four cruise terminals and around 50 calls are planned by the end of the year; next year this number is expected to almost double.

However, the continued popularity of cruise tourism also brings challenges. Environmental organizations have already protested against the trend, which the city must manage and take into account in its planning. In 2022, 1.3 million cruise passengers visited Hamburg, representing a clear increase of 100,000 guests compared to the previous year.

Instructions for arrival

Visitors to the Hamburg Cruise Days should be prepared for traffic restrictions as parking spaces at the edge of the harbor are not available. Traveling by public transport, on foot or by bike is therefore recommended to ensure a stress-free experience.

The last event attracted around 250,000 guests in 2023. With the aim of achieving similar success this time too, the Hamburg Cruise Days are another important event in the Hamburg event calendar. The next dates for the traditional port birthday have already been set: from May 9th to 11th, 2026, the city will once again be dedicated to water.