Hamburg is loaded up with interesting festivals, events, concerts, and parties throughout the year. Hamburger Dom is one of the best known and has been running since the 1300s while several prominent music festivals, sporting events and fairs also go off.

Judo Otto World Cup: the annual judo cup, at Hamburg's Alsterdorfer Sporthalle, is one of the main German martial arts events and is a must for those into fighting.

Hamburger Dom: known locally as the Dom Market, Hamburger DOM goes on throughout May and features many exciting rides, fun stalls, food and fireworks. Millions of people visit Hamburg especially for the Dom and it is thus a popular event.

No Mercy Heavy Metal Festival: in early April is a real buzz for lovers of heavy metal with such popular bands as Behemoth and Napalm Death. The festival takes place annually at the Markthalle and has been known to be very loud.

Easter Market: features handmade crafts and traditional German Easter decorations at the Museum of Ethnology. Items for sale at the market include painted Easter eggs, Easter bunnies and toy chickens.

Hafengeburstag (Hamburg Port Festival): celebrates the anniversary of Hamburg harbour in early May with five days of fun. The 800-year-old harbour features the largest port festival in the world with lots of mammoth sailing vessels and numerous land-based attractions.

Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival: takes place in mid-May not long after Hafengeburstag to acknowledge the trading links between Hamburg and Japan. Alster Lake in the centre of the city is the setting where the Cherry Blossom Queen election takes place as well as a massive fireworks display.

Mo and Friese Children's Short-Film Festival: in early June sees some fun events for the kids and an international audience. Ages four to 14 years are catered for at the short film festival.

Dragon Boat Festival: more in tune with Southeast Asian fun, Hamburg’s Dragon Boat Festival in late June is the largest such event outside of Asia. Dozens of teams take part in this rowing spectacle at Allermöhe and spectators come from far and wide to see it.

Hamburg Harley Days: tens of thousands of bikers and Harley lovers ride their bikes into town for this mid-July festival of Harley Davidson motorbikes. The meeting point is between Hamburg Harbour and the Reeperbahn where like-minded bikers get together for a bit of fun.

Fleetinsel Festival: shows off the cultural and artistic prowess of Hamburg with much eating and side attractions over ten days in July. The event is held between the River Elbe and Alster Lake in the centre of town.

Hamburg BG Triathlon World Championships: despite its hefty moniker the Hamburg Triathlon welcomes all age groups and levels to participate in the swim, cycle and run. The event takes place at the end of August and into September with thousands of athletes competing from dozens of countries.

Alster Fair: in late August is one for those in search of some Hamburg culture. The event is held on the banks of Alster Lake in the city centre and features a collection of shows and theatrical performances.

International Boat Show Hamburg: another of Hamburg’s water-based festivals sees some wonderful boats and ships being displayed from many countries. The boat show takes place at the end of October at the Hanseboot-Hafen and is a real eye-popper for those not familiar with million-dollar yachts.

Christmas Markets: go off at various locales around Hamburg at the end of November. The most popular ones for tourists are the Hanseatic Christmas Market and the Christmas Market Hamburg where some sweet mulled wine and traditional foods spruce up the Christmas shopping.

New Year: the Elbe River is the setting for Hamburg’s monumental fireworks display to see in the New Year. Those partying in the Reeperbahn strip can get a good view while for a real close up head for the Landungsbrücke quay. The New Year Sylvester Experience at the Phonodrome is a good bet for young ones into celebrating New Year’s Eve.