The Hamburger Dom is a month-long festival that takes place three times a year – a highlight in the city’s calendar in spring, summer and winter. The funfair draws in visitors of all ages thanks to the mix of adrenaline-filled rides and traditional carousels. All types of traditional food and drink are on offer, so you can easily spend hours soaking up the celebratory atmosphere.
The Hamburger Dom can trace its origins back to the 11th century, when a Christmas market was held each year outside the Mariendom Cathedral, attracting traders and craftspeople, as well as entertainers and performers. Despite certain objections from the church authorities, this event remained until the cathedral was demolished in 1804. Moving to its current location, the festival retained the “Dom” (cathedral) designation, and with increasing popularity, the spring and summer events were added.
Whilst each of the three different fairs has their own character, the main attraction is the huge number of funfair rides. Thrill-seekers will love the Olympia rollercoaster that whisks riders around the 1.5-kilometre track at speeds of up to 80 kilometres per hour. Younger visitors and those who prefer a more nostalgic take on entertainment will delight at the beautiful wooden carrousel, which has graced this site for over 100 years.
Once you’ve worked up an appetite, you’ll find yourself spoilt for choice, as there are over 100 food stalls selling everything from traditional sausages and potato waffles, to sweet delicacies such as the spicy Lebkuchen. If you fancy something stronger, head to one of the many beer tents to sample the best that Germany has to offer.
If you’re visiting on a Friday, make sure you stay late into the evening for the spectacular firework displays at 10:30 pm, illuminating the entire fairground with glorious colours.
There is no charge for admission to the Heiligengeistfeld grounds, but you’ll need to purchase tickets for each ride. Parking is expensive and limited, so public transport is the recommended option. The nearest U-Bahn stations are St. Pauli and Reeperbahn.
