Hamburg Entertainment

In addition to the regular offerings of music, theater, and film, Hamburg’s Rathausmarkt and other locations often host lively street fairs, especially during the summer. Hamburg owes its prosperity to Friedrich Barbarossa, who granted the town the right to open a port on May 7, 1189. The city still celebrates with the Hafengeburtstag (Harbor Birthday) every May, which attracts 1.5 million people to party onshore against a backdrop of ships parading, a tugboat ballet, the Hamburg Philharmonic, and fireworks. (www.hafengeburtstag.de.) During April, August, and November, the Heiligengeistfeld north of the Reeperbahn transforms into the “Dom,” a titanic amusement park bursting with beer and wild partying. Enthusiastic cultural consumers can learn about listening and viewing opportunities at the tourist office and larger box offices. Students should ask about significant discounts.

• Music

The Staatsoper, Große Theaterstr. 36, houses one of the best opera companies in Germany as well as the national dance powerhouse, the John Neumeier Ballet Company. (☎ 040 35 68 68. U2 to “Gänsemarkt ...more

• Theater And Film

Statsoper, Große Theaterstr. 36 (www.hamburgische-staatsoper.de), The Statsoper was opened in 1678 as the first theater in Hamburg for aristocrats and nobles. Today, it houses one of the best opera companies ...more