Schanzenfest

Hamburg's most political street festival

Since the late 1980s, the Schanzenfest has been a regular event in Hamburg's Sternschanze district. It originated from the autonomous scene around the then newly occupied house, the Rote Flora, and has since been a self-organised, explicitly political street festival – free from the usual event and permit procedures of the city.

2026: Anti-Olympia Kick-off

The 2026 edition targets Hamburg's Olympic bid for 2036–2044. Under the motto 'No Schanze for the Games', the festival positions itself before the planned referendum as an 'Anti-Olympia Gala of Resistance'. Topics include the feared displacement of residents, cancelled youth programmes alongside a 9-million Euro Olympic bid, and increasing police surveillance in the district. Solidarity links are made with, among others, the Anti-Olympia protests in Milan.

Live Stage, Bands, Speeches

Programme highlights include the live stage (punk, reggae, ska, hip-hop, singer-songwriters from Hamburg's underground), political speeches, discussion rounds, and alliance stands. In the Karoviertel and Schanzenviertel, many residents open their ground floors as additional meeting points.

Sternschanze, District Altona / Eimsbüttel Border

The venue is Schanzenstraße and Ludwigstraße, in Hamburg's Sternschanze district. Travel by S-Bahn S11/S21/S31 or U3 to Sternschanze. Free entry.