Elbphilharmonie Summer

Hamburg's Glass Wave Becomes a Festival Venue

Since its opening in 2017, the Elbphilharmonie has been Hamburg's musical landmark. Perched atop Kaispeicher A in HafenCity (Hamburg-Mitte district), the concert hall with its glass wave facade towers over the harbour. In August, the venue hosts its own summer festival marathon — a preview of the new season, curated with a focus on youth orchestras, world music, and select top international ensembles.

International Orchestras and Youth Projects

In 2026, performers include the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal from Canada, the Italian Baroque ensemble Il Giardino Armonico, the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra, the Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra, and the German Federal Youth Orchestra. A very deliberate programming choice that showcases the venue's international reach while simultaneously spotlighting young musical generations.

World Music, Jazz, Pop

Alongside classical programmes, artists from the world and jazz scenes are featured: Malian singer Fatouma Diawara with her blend of West African tradition and electronic influences, the British Cinematic Orchestra with their cinematic jazz pieces. This transforms the Elbphilharmonie Summer into a genre-defying format that consciously broadens the venue's sonic profile.

HafenCity and its Acoustics

The primary venue is the Grand Hall — 2,100 seats with unique acoustics designed by Tokyo-based acoustician Yasuhisa Toyota. From the Plaza viewing deck, you can enjoy free views over the harbour and the Speicherstadt. Concertgoers often combine their visit with a trip to the publicly accessible Plaza, a stroll through HafenCity, or a drink in one of the adjacent bars.