10 Best Theatres in Hamburg

The Theater im Hafen delights audiences of all ages with one of the biggest Broadway hits ever performed. The modern venue boasts breathtaking water views and sits on the Elbe island in the Steinwerder quarter of Hamburg opposite the Landungsbrücken piers. Inside, Disney’s 'The Lion King' has been the star musical since 2001.

Along with elaborate costumes, sets, and song and dance numbers, the Theater im Hafen is also home to Skyline Restaurant, where guests can enjoy memorable meals and panoramic views. Elsewhere on the premises are 7 bars and exquisite art, including sculptures by Niki de Saint Phalle and Salvador Dalí, and changing paintings by German and international artists.

The Schmidt Theater (Schmidts Tivoli) offers eclectic productions spanning musicals, comedy and cabaret. Housed in a Wilhelminian-style building in Spielbudenplatz in the St. Pauli district in central Hamburg, this vibrant venue is home to the Schmidt Theater, Schmidts Tivoli and Schmidtchen, each featuring entertaining shows with notable productions over the years including 'Caveman' and 'Heiße Ecke - The St. Pauli Musical'.

Every year, the Schmidt Theater welcomes 400,000 guests who come to catch quirky productions, such as the legendary Schmidt Midnight Show. As for food and drink, there are plenty of options to enjoy before, after and during the show, including Reep Restaurant, the Glanz & Gloria cocktail bar and Angie’s nightclub.

The Stage Theater an der Elbe entices musical lovers by presenting world-class productions in a sleek, contemporary space. First, you’ll take a scenic boat ride from the Landungsbrücken dock to the waterfront theatre, a showstopper itself. At the theatre, you can admire the architectural details and the glass façade. Inside, you can grab a drink or admire the artwork before the curtain rises.

As for the productions, the Stage Theater an der Elbe presents some of the most exciting musicals on the scene, from 'Mary Poppins' to 'Pretty Woman', and the most recent production, Disney’s 'Frozen'.

The Operettenhaus boasts a rich history of theatre that goes back 150 years. Located in Spielbudenplatz in the lively St. Pauli district, the performing arts space presents classic musical favourites as well as new productions. Founded in 1840, the theatre has gone through many names, from the Circus Gymnasticus to Central Halle, before taking on its current one.

Among the popular productions to grace the stage of the Operettenhaus in recent years are 'Kinky Boots', 'Mamma Mia!' and 'Sister Act'. The playbill always has exciting shows that you won’t want to miss, including the electrifying 'TINA - The Tina Turner Musical' and Lin-Manuel Miranda’s smash hit 'Hamilton'.

The Mehr! Theater am Großmarkt hosts exciting events from concerts to plays, shows and other productions in its 3,500-person-capacity space. While the theatre in the Hammerbrook quarter is relatively new, opening in 2015, it was built into the Großmarkthalle, a landmark building designed by architect Bernhard Hermkes in 1962 that served as a former wholesale market.

There is always a worthwhile event happening at the Mehr! Theater am Großmarkt. The multipurpose venue has hosted international headliners from Iggy Pop to Kylie Minogue, as well as hit musicals such as 'Dirty Dancing' and recently J.K. Rowling’s 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child'. Before and after performances, you can enjoy drinks and light dishes at the stylish Mehr Lounge.

The Hamburg State Opera (Staatsoper Hamburg) has a long history, originally founded in 1678 as the Opern-Theatrum. Long before the modern renovation of its theatre in Gänsemarkt square in the 2000s, the German opera company welcomed illustrious greats such as Richard Wagner, Giuseppe Verdi and Gustav Mahler through the years.

Today, the Hamburg State Opera house is home to the Philharmonic State Orchestra and the Hamburg Ballet, with Kent Nagano serving as the musical director and chief conductor. On the schedule are diverse works from opera classics like 'Carmen' by Georges Bizet to more contemporary works such as 'Tut Tut! Baby on Board'.

The Thalia Theater is a hit with global audiences with its productions performed or featuring subtitles in German, English, French and other languages. Between Binnenalster and Mönckebergstraße in Hamburg’s Altstadt (Old Town), the state theatre presents a dynamic programme of plays, world premieres and other productions and also hosts festivals such as the annual international Lessing Days theatre festival.

The artistic bar is set high at the Thalia Theater. Under the direction of Joachim Lux, the performing arts organisation presents a mix of plays. You can expect revival premieres of classics such as Shakespeare’s 'Hamlet', as well as family-friendly productions like 'Alice in Wonderland' and experimental works.

The Komödie Winterhuder Fährhaus offers diverse programming in the form of comedies and classic plays. Set in the Winterhude quarter of Hamburg, the inviting theatre presents compelling works that touch on interesting topics. Recent productions have included the original works 'The Other Side of the Coin' and 'Who Takes the Dog'.

Rounding out the programming at Komödie Winterhuder Fährhaus are enriching events spanning music, cabaret, literature and other genres. Whether you’re in the mood for a good laugh or eclectic entertainment, such as Carolin Fortenbacher singing the songs of Abba, there’s always a show worth checking out here.

Kampnagel presents dynamic productions that address myriad issues, from migration to climate change and other culturally relevant topics. Housed in a former crane factory in Winterhude, the independent production venue boasts 6 different stages and contemporary cultural programming spanning the genres of theatre, dance and music.

As Germany’s biggest independent production venue, Kampnagel hosts local, national and international performers. Along with music concerts from well-known acts such as The Magnetic Fields and José González, culture lovers can enjoy annual events such as the International Summer Festival, which brings in over 250 artists from all over the world.

The St. Pauli Theater has the distinction of being the oldest private theatre in the city. In the Reeperbahn entertainment district, the modern folk theatre has roots that go back to 1841, when it originally opened as the Urania Theater. The space features an elegant and intimate auditorium that seats 500 guests along with rich interiors, including plush red seating set against dark woods and gold accents.

As for the programming, the St. Pauli Theater offers a mix of performing arts events. Here you can enjoy a sophisticated repertoire of classic and new pieces as well as musical productions such as 'The Threepenny Opera' and 'Willkommen', or events such as the Hamburg Cabaret Festival.