Marmstorf May Festival

May Festival in Marmstorf – Tradition in Southern Hamburg

Raising the Maypole on May 1st is a firm tradition in many German regions – in southern Hamburg, specifically in the Marmstorf district of the Harburg borough, the local marksmen's association has been cultivating this tradition for a long time. Every year on Labour Day, the Maypole, hand-decorated by members and association supporters, is raised at the Marmstorf clubhouse to the applause of the neighbours – a ritual that makes the bond between the association and the district visible.

What happens on May 1, 2026?

• 11:00 AM: Maypole raising at the clubhouse
• Following that, catering by the association with bratwurst, cake, beer, and non-alcoholic drinks
• Live music from the association's groups
• A gathering of Marmstorf association members and residents
• Possible afternoon programme, depending on the weather

Marksmen's Association as Organizer

The organizer is the Schützenverein Marmstorf e.V., one of numerous Hamburg marksmen's associations. The association's year includes other traditional events besides the May Festival: shooting competitions, its own bird shooting, summer festival, and Advent bazaar. The May Festival is the first major public event of the year and, at the same time, the unofficial season opener for Marmstorf's association activities.

Marmstorf – A District in Transition

Marmstorf is located in the south of Hamburg's Harburg borough, directly on the district border with Lower Saxony. With around 9,000 inhabitants, Marmstorf is one of Hamburg's smaller districts, but it retains a distinct character through its vibrant association life. The May Festival is proof that classic traditions can still be alive even in a metropolis like Hamburg – beyond the major tourist flows.

Getting to Marmstorf

S-Bahn lines S3/S31 to Harburg, then bus 144 towards Marmstorf. By car via the A7 (exit Hamburg-Harburg).