Elbphilharmonie Hamburg Celebrates 10th Anniversary with Landmark Season and Return of the New York Philharmonic

Annual attendance at classical concerts in Hamburg has tripled since the Elbphilharmonie opened its doors, and on 11 January 2027, the spectacular concert hall in Hamburg's harbour marks its tenth anniversary. Ahead of the milestone, the Elbphilharmonie has released its full success story for the first time: 7.4 million people have attended around 6,400 concerts and events at the venue, while 29.5 million have visited the Plaza, its public viewing platform 37 metres above ground. Even a decade on, the Grand Hall currently runs at an occupancy rate of over 95 per cent. From September 2026, the Elbphilharmonie celebrates with a top-class anniversary season, culminating on the anniversary date itself with a gala concert from the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra under Alan Gilbert and Hamburg band MEUTE.

Ten years after opening on 11 January 2017, the Elbphilharmonie has become a landmark of Hamburg and an internationally established concert venue. Its impact extends far beyond the concert hall itself: its architecture, public Plaza and a programme combining musical excellence with a spirit of discovery have transformed the perception of Hamburg as a city of music. What was once a controversial construction project has become a concert hall that inspires the people of Hamburg as much as artists, orchestras and curious visitors from all over the world.

At its heart is a deliberately broad musical profile: alongside the classical repertoire, the Elbphilharmonie presents jazz, music from across the globe, pop, electronic and contemporary music. The 130 world premieres of the past ten years (one every four weeks) underline its commitment to providing a platform for the music of today.

Facts and Figures

• Annual attendance at classical concerts in Hamburg has tripled since the Elbphilharmonie opened.
• 7.4 million people have attended around 6,400 concerts and events at the Elbphilharmonie over the past ten years.
• 29.5 million visitors have come to the Plaza, the public viewing platform 37 metres above ground.
• Even ten years after its opening, the Grand Hall currently has an occupancy rate of over 95 per cent.

An International Anniversary Season

The season opens up further with musician, composer and curator Rhiannon Giddens, who explores the global roots of American musical culture in her five-day 'Reflektor' festival, while 'Elbphilharmonie Visions' turns its focus to contemporary orchestral music and builds a bridge to contemporary art through an exhibition by Swiss artist Zimoun in the Recital Hall. Running alongside these are birthday celebrations for prolific composers including John Adams, Steve Reich and John Coltrane, and a dedicated Beethoven Year marked by complete cycles of the piano sonatas, piano concertos and string quartets. The programme then turns outward again, with projects dedicated to the music of Lebanon, Sasha Waltz's 'Reflektor' festival, and performances by artists including Angélique Kidjo, Youssou N'Dour, Sophie Hunger, Dianne Reeves and the Punch Brothers, opening up perspectives on other musical traditions and genres.

Together, the programme exemplifies why the Elbphilharmonie has enjoyed such extraordinary popularity for the past ten years: the highest musical quality combined with curiosity, diversity and new perspectives.

Elbphilharmonie Anniversary Concert on 11 January 2027

As the highlight of the anniversary season, the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra conducted by Alan Gilbert and Hamburg band MEUTE will perform a major gala concert on 11 January 2027, attended by guests from the worlds of politics and society. Two days later, Ensemble Resonanz will celebrate the anniversary of the Elbphilharmonie's Recital Hall.

The anniversary season 2026/27 demonstrates the diversity of the Elbphilharmonie's artistic profile: from 1 September 2026, it brings seven leading US orchestras to Hamburg for a total of 13 concerts, including the New York Philharmonic for the first time since 2017. 

The season opens up further with musician, composer and curator Rhiannon Giddens, who explores the global roots of American musical culture in her five-day 'Reflektor' festival, while 'Elbphilharmonie Visions' turns its focus to contemporary orchestral music and builds a bridge to contemporary art through an exhibition by Swiss artist Zimoun in the Recital Hall. 

Running alongside these are birthday celebrations for prolific composers including John Adams, Steve Reich and John Coltrane, and a dedicated Beethoven Year marked by complete cycles of the piano sonatas, piano concertos and string quartets. The programme then turns outward again, with projects dedicated to the music of Lebanon, Sasha Waltz's 'Reflektor' festival, and performances by artists including Angélique Kidjo, Youssou N'Dour, Sophie Hunger, Dianne Reeves and the Punch Brothers, opening up perspectives on other musical traditions and genres.

Together, the programme exemplifies why the Elbphilharmonie has enjoyed such extraordinary popularity for the past ten years: the highest musical quality combined with curiosity, diversity and new perspectives.

Elbphilharmonie Anniversary Concert on 11 January 2027

As the highlight of the anniversary season, the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra conducted by Alan Gilbert and Hamburg band MEUTE will perform a major gala concert on 11 January 2027, attended by guests from the worlds of politics and society. Two days later, Ensemble Resonanz will celebrate the anniversary of the Elbphilharmonie's Recital Hall.

An Icon That Has Transformed the Perception of Hamburg

The significance of the Elbphilharmonie extends far beyond the concert hall itself. As an architectural icon on the River Elbe, it connects Hamburg's history as a port city with the image of a modern, international cultural metropolis. With its publicly accessible Plaza, it has also become a place where architecture, music, the harbour and the city come together. Its international appeal has permanently transformed the perception of Hamburg as a city of culture and resonates throughout the city's cultural landscape: today, the Elbphilharmonie exemplifies a distinctive Hamburg feeling - cosmopolitan and international, shaped by the water and culturally diverse.

Further information and the full anniversary programme here.

Photos & Footage for Media here.

Elbphilharmonie Press:

www.elbphilharmonie.de/en/press

Dive into Elbphoria – Hamburg’s Cultural Highlights 2026/27:

www.hamburg-travel.com/see-explore/culture-music/elbphoria/

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For more information about Hamburg as a visitor destination contact Maddi Howell or Jessica Cochrane at Lemongrass Marketing at Hamburg@lemongrassmarketing.com 

About the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg: The Elbphilharmonie is Hamburg’s internationally renowned concert hall and opened in January 2017. With its striking architecture and diverse concert programme, it ranks among the world’s most significant music venues and attracts millions of visitors from all over the world every year. The venue comprises several halls, including the Grand Hall with around 2,100 seats, and is a central feature of Hamburg’s musical life. Further information at: www.elbphilharmonie.de/de/ 

About Elbphoria: Elbphoria is the international cultural campaign by Hamburg Marketing / Hamburg Tourism Board and brings together the city’s key cultural institutions and events under a shared emotional umbrella. The focus is on the 10th anniversary of the Elbphilharmonie, as well as other outstanding cultural projects in music, dance, photography, opera, digital art and club culture. The aim is to position Hamburg as a diverse, vibrant and internationally relevant city of culture. Further information at: www.hamburg-travel.com/see-explore/culture-music/elbphoria/

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