Märchenschiffe (Fairytale Ships)
Moored along the water, festive ships host interactive holiday activities for young visitors, including hands-on cookie baking and a theater stage. On the baking ships, children shape dough and decorate biscuits with sprinkles and raisins, taking home their own apron and baker's hat. The theater ship presents rotating entertainment such as magic shows, storytelling, and face painting, while a café ship offers refreshments overlooking the Alstertanne.
Nov 26 – Dec 23, 2026 4+
See more other Christmas activities near Hamburg
Plan Your Visit
Tickets
Theaterschiff admission is free. Backkarten for the baking courses cost €5.08 through the one-day online advance sale, with the buyer bearing the advance-sale fee; cards sold at Europa Passage cost a €4.50 security fee.
Hours
Backkurse: Monday-Sunday at 09:00, 10:30, 12:00, 14:00, 15:30 and 17:00. Theaterschiff: Monday-Friday at 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 15:00 and 16:00; Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 to 16:00, on the hour. The last performance begins at 16:00. Caféschiff: daily 11:00-18:00.
Neighborhood
Jungfernstieg
Food & Drink
The café ship serves sweet and savory treats from Junge Die Bäckerei.
Location
Tips & Advice
- Try the one-day online presale on November 12, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; baking cards are in high demand.
- If online access is inconvenient, visit Europa Passage on November 14, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the baking-card presale.
- From November 26, ask at the Märchenschiffe office at Jungfernstieg about remaining baking cards; sales are limited to available stock.
- Check the listed baking-course start times before visiting, as courses run at several times throughout the day.
- Daycare groups and school classes should email mail@märchenschiffe.de to reserve theater-ship visits in advance.
Special Events & Promotions
- Theaterschiff admission is free.
- Backkurse are separately ticketed and for children aged four and up.
- Daycare groups and school classes can reserve places on the Theaterschiff.
- Mondays: Alsternixe Ilayda visits the Theaterschiff.
- Tuesdays: children explore the land of fairies and storybook creatures on the Theaterschiff.
Links & Contact
Run by City Management Hamburg
Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide, not the organizer of this event. For tickets, entries, vendor spots or questions, contact the organizer directly through their contact page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ages can take part in the baking courses?
The baking courses are for children aged four and older.
Do I need to get baking-course tickets in advance?
Backkarten are sold through a one-day online advance sale and in person at Europa Passage; remaining cards are also sold at the Jungfernstieg dock while supplies last.
What do children do on the baking ships?
Children shape and decorate cookies, then take home a baking apron and hat.
What can children see on the theatre ship?
There is a participatory program that changes by weekday, with activities including a mermaid, fairytale worlds, a magician, a storyteller, artists, and a Christmas witch.
What food and drink are available?
The café ship serves Junge bakery products and sweet and savory treats.
Browse Christmas in Hamburg
Always check the official website for the most current information.
We've done our best to keep details up-to-date, but event schedules, prices, and policies can change. For the latest updates, please visit the official website or contact the organizers directly. Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide and isn't affiliated with the events we list.