One of the Christmas highlights for families in Hamburg are the fairytale ships on the Binnenalster, which attract up to 30,000 visitors of all ages from the end of November until Christmas Eve. The project was launched in 1985 by Hamburg City Management and some of its partners and has become a tradition.
A wide range of creative and leisure activities
Every year, the so-called baking ships are on board, where children from the age of three can bake their own Christmas biscuits, decorate them creatively and, of course, take them home with them afterwards. They also receive a baking apron and a baker's hat from the bakers on board. In addition, there is always a dream, theatre or fairytale ship at the Alster jetty, where the children are transformed into queens, fairies and frogs with skin-friendly make-up. There is also an imaginatively designed play corner, fairy tales are told and puppet theatre is performed. The café ship offers savoury snacks for young and old, coffee and cake. Here, parents can relax from the gift hunt with a view of the brightly lit Alster fir tree. Many people like to use the time when their children are being looked after on board free of charge (with the exception of the baking courses) for relaxed, uncomplicated Christmas shopping.
Arrival and further information
Every year, the fairytale ships moor at the Alster jetty, which is located in the immediate vicinity of the Jungfernstieg S-Bahn stop. The ‘Weißer Winterzauber’ Christmas market, which is hard to miss thanks to its pointed, white tent domes, is also held directly at the jetty.
