Ideas for the Christmas season
The fairy lights are shining everywhere and the bells are jingling. It's Christmas time. And Hamburg shows its chocolate side, or rather its baked apple side, because there is so much to see and to experience in the city during Advent.
Christmas traditions in Hamburg
But first, let's take a look at the history of Christmas in Hamburg. We asked ourselves which Christmas traditions are actually really typical of our city. These are our top three Hamburg customs during the Advent season:
- The Christmas tree on the Alster, also known as the ‘Alster fir’
Where in summer a water fountain beautifies the view over the Binnenalster on the Jungfernstieg and gives the odd canoeist a cool breeze, the 1000 or so lights on the famous Alster fir tree in the middle of the water shine during Advent. The perfect backdrop for a beautiful Christmas photo. And best of all, there is also a Christmas market on the Jungfernstieg where you can buy mulled wine and hot pastries. - Traditional Christmas tree throwing in Hamburg harbour
Sounds crazy, but it's true! For over 100 years, there has been a very special Christmas custom in Hamburg: Father Christmas travels on a small ship to the sailors on their cutters, container ships and workboats and throws them Christmas trees from the waterside. We think this is a lovely custom to bring joy to people who are far away from their loved ones! - The Flying Father Christmas over the town hall square
It's the absolute highlight for all children! Three times a day, Father Christmas flies over the traditional Christmas market at Hamburg Town Hall on his sleigh. We think you have to see it at least once during the Advent season!
And what are people traditionally eating during Christmas? Families argue about which is the traditional dish. While red cabbage and roulades are certainly popular throughout Germany, northern Germans like to keep it simple on Christmas Eve and put a pot of potato salad with sausages on the table. For some, it can also be a little more Nordic and carp with mussels and walnuts is served.
Excursion destinations in and around Hamburg during the Christmas season
Christmas also means that the days are dark for a long time and you can either keep warm with mulled wine at a Christmas market or make yourself really cosy at home. But what else can you experience in Hamburg during Advent?
- Listen to a Christmas concert
There is a wide range of live music on offer in December. Whether it's a classical Christmas concert in the church or a rocking atmosphere in the theatre - treat yourself to a musical evening. The perfect remedy for the winter blues. You'll find a great selection here in the concert calendar. - Visit the ‘Lumagica’ light park
Schwarzeberge Wildlife Park is just a few minutes' drive south of the Elbe. At Christmas time, the forest and park area are transformed into a magical world of lights after dark. With over 300 3D light motifs and glamorous scenes combined with atmospheric music, you'll never cease to be amazed. A perfect day out for the whole family. - Enjoy the view on an evening lights tour
Let's stay on the subject of lights: an evening harbour cruise is an absolute highlight, even in winter. From the water, you have a marvellous view of the illuminated city. You can also get tickets for the harbour cruise from us. - Shopping for presents in an outlet centre
If you're looking for bargains at Christmas time, you're lucky to have two outlet centres nearby in Hamburg. To the north of Hamburg, you'll find the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet in Neumünster. South of the Elbe, you can reach the Designer Outlet Soltau within an hour.
Christmas activities for the home
All right, you've seen all the Christmas markets, taken lots of photos of beautifully lit Christmas trees and installations and danced at various Christmas concerts. So that you can relax a little, here are a few suggestions of what you can do at home.
Watch Christmas films
Make yourselves comfortable on the sofa, get out the gingerbread and put together your programme on the streaming portal of your choice.
These are our top 10 Christmas films:
- Three Wishes for Cinderella
- Kevin home alone
- Little Lord Fauntleroy
- The Grinch
- Muppets Christmas Carol
- Klaus
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
- Frozen
- Love Actually
- The Polar Express
Ideas for joint activities with the family
To avoid sitting in front of a screen all day and (as our parents warned us) getting square eyes, get up off the sofa, grab your family and do something fun together. These ideas are easy to implement:
- Bake Christmas cookies together:
The scent of cinnamon and vanilla lifts the spirits, especially in the run-up to Christmas. Pick out one or two recipes and then take your time to decorate. There's no end to your creativity here. - Find the perfect Christmas tree:
Turn your Christmas tree purchase into an experience and pick your dream tree from the field yourself! There are several farms around Hamburg that offer you the chance to cut the tree yourself. There are Christmas trees as far as the eye can see and you have a large selection to choose from. The trees are also very fresh and often a little cheaper. Another advantage: sometimes they also offer mulled wine and something sweet to round off the wonderful experience on site. - Make your own Christmas tree decorations:
As a joint activity, you can also plan to make your own decorations for your Christmas tree together. Whether paper stars, a garland made from popcorn, as is traditional in the USA, or figures made from salt dough, there are many possibilities here. A sweet idea: you can hide little surprises for the children or your loved ones between the branches.
Christmas cards: The perfect photo spots for your Christmas photo
To send your Christmas greetings to all your friends and family, a Christmas card with a nice photo is of course a must! You can of course take a classic picture in front of your Christmas tree. But how about a more unusual motif in a special Christmassy atmosphere?
As you have already read above, the illuminated Alster fir tree is a wonderful photo motif. Well placed, you will have it shining in the background of your family photo.
You can also find wonderful backdrops for an atmospheric greeting card picture for the family in the ‘Lumagica’ light park.
If you want something a little more unusual, why not take a look at our Museum of Illusions? We have some Christmas props ready for you in our Colour Room. Here you can take a colourful family picture with Christmas spirit. Insider tip: Our Infinity Room shines in a special glow of lights at Christmas time. It's also a wonderful place for a Christmas photo.
What can you do in Hamburg on 24 December?
You've celebrated the pre-Christmas period, the biscuits have been baked, the Christmas tree has been bought and decorated and its already Christmas Eve.
For some, especially the youngest, this day stretches on forever until the long-awaited presents. So that the impatience doesn't get the better of you, here are two ideas for how you can spend the afternoon on 24 December:
- Explore a museum: Many of the museums (e.g. us!) in Hamburg also have their doors open for you on 24 December. Grab your children and explore an exhibition together. You'll forget the world around you for at least an hour and even learn something new in the process.
- Movie at the cinema: While the programme for the evening is already planned with dinner and presents, the afternoon stretches out for many. How about a nice film at the cinema? Good for parents: While your children are busy at the cinema, you have time to prepare dinner or do some last-minute shopping in town.
Our tips for last-minute Christmas gifts:
It's often the case that on 24 December you remember with a shock: ‘Oh dear, I still have to get a few presents!
So here are our tips for last-minute Christmas presents:
- Delicacies from the delicatessen - a special oil, an unusual spice mix or a special sweet, everyone is happy about that!
- Gift voucher for a shared experience - Nothing is better than spending a great time together. That's why vouchers for leisure activities make a wonderful gift. Vouchers for the Museum of Illusions Hamburg can be found here.
- Puzzle games for in between - Puzzle games are a great little gift for a neighbour or as a present for the grandchildren. At the Museum of Illusions you can not only try them out, but also buy them quickly on 24 December until 16:00.
What can you do in Hamburg on 26 December?
Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas!
The presents have been unwrapped; the Christmas roast has been eaten. The family has been visited; Christmas carols have been sung. And then comes Boxing Day. While Three Hazelnuts for Cinderella is playing up and down on TV, boredom sets in at home.
To prevent the ceiling falling on your head at home during the Christmas holidays or the camp collar breaking out between the family on the sofa, we have picked out some tips for you for a bit of variety during the holidays.
Our excursion tips for Boxing Day
After the festive silence on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, the city comes alive again. Because on Boxing Day, many of Hamburg's museums and exhibitions open their doors for you.
Which museums and exhibitions are open on 26 December?
- Museum of Illusions Hamburg
Here you can immerse yourself in a world full of optical illusions and astonishing illusions. Put your senses to the test and trick your perception. The interactive exhibition will relieve all your Christmas stress and is just the thing after a long Christmas. - Museum of Arts and Crafts
Together you can discover the museum's diverse collection and immerse yourself in the history of arts and crafts. In keeping with the Christmas season, the museum is hosting the exhibition ‘Celebrating Festivals’, which takes a closer look at festive culture from antiquity onwards. - Kiekeberg Open-Air Museum
Experience life in northern Germany from the past to the present at first hand. There are numerous historical buildings and workshops to discover on the extensive grounds. Here you can not only watch, but also join in. - Museum of Labour
Immerse yourself in the history of labour and find out how the world of work has changed over the course of time. - Deichtorhallen
There are regularly changing exhibitions of contemporary art in the Deichtorhallen. Here, children and adults can discover the art world and gather their own impressions. - BallinStadt Emigration Museum
On board the emigrant ships, you can put yourself in the shoes of the emigrants and experience their journey to America. Tip for children: The cute museum mouse Jette takes children on a journey through the museum.
The most beautiful season is coming to an end
And then Christmas is already over and somehow every year you wonder how the time could have gone by so quickly. But you can't rest for long, because New Year's Eve is coming up and it's time to start making plans for the next great evening!
