White Dinner Harburg

A Parisian Idea by a Hamburg City Pond

The concept originates from Paris: since the 1980s, hundreds of people, all dressed in white, have gathered there once a summer at a location not previously announced for a picnic. The idea was adopted in Hamburg by the association Harburg Marketing and tailored to the south of the Hanseatic city: not secret, but open by the Außenmühlenteich – one of the most beautiful recreational areas in Hamburg's Harburg district.

13th Edition 2026 – The Picnic as a Meeting Point

On Saturday, August 29, 2026, the White Dinner Harburg will take place for the 13th time. The concept is simple and effective: all guests come dressed in white, bring their own table, their own chairs, white tablecloths, dishes, cutlery, candle holders, and food. Hundreds of individual picnic spots emerge on the meadow by the Außenmühlenteich over several hours – yet forming a unified, visually stunning composition of white tables and people against the backdrop of the pond's water.

An Open Festival for Everyone

The White Dinner Harburg explicitly positions itself as an inclusive event. The organizers state: "People of different cultures, age groups, and nationalities" come together. In the Harburg district, with its high proportion of migrant residents, this is an important statement – the picnic becomes a platform for encounters, separate from the formalized structures of other neighborhood festivals.

Außenmühlenteich – Recreation in Harburg

The Außenmühlenteich is located in Harburg City Park, directly on Außenmühlendamm. It was created in the 17th century as a reservoir for the Außenmühle – today it is one of the most important recreational areas in southern Hamburg. Walkers, stand-up paddlers, pedal boaters, and dog walkers share the meadows around the water. The White Dinner provides a special setting for them for one evening.

What to Bring?

• White clothing – Dress code
• Own table (folding table or similar) and chairs
• White tablecloth
• Dishes, cutlery, glasses
• Candle holders
• Food and drinks for yourself and your companions
• Optional: flowers, white napkins, table decorations
• Trash bag for your own waste – the area should be clean after the event

Getting to Harburg

S-Bahn lines S3/S31 to Harburg, then bus 142 to Außenmühlendamm. By car via the A7 (exit Hamburg-Harburg). Parking available at Harburg City Park. Free admission.