FESTIVAL | Reeperbahn Festival 2025
- SHOWGRAPHERS
- Aug 19
- 2 min read
This September, Hamburg’s legendary Reeperbahn Festival returns for its 20th edition — and if the past two decades have taught us anything, it’s that this is where the future of music begins.
From 17–20 September 2025, the streets, clubs, and offbeat corners of St. Pauli will once again be flooded with artists, fans, and industry insiders for Europe’s biggest showcase festival and most important pop culture platform. With around 800 events across 70 venues and an expected 45,000 attendees — including 6,000 music professionals from over 40 countries — Reeperbahn is more than a festival. It’s a living, breathing ecosystem.
This year’s theme, “Imagine Togetherness”, sets the tone: Reeperbahn 2025 is about building bridges — between genres, generations, cultures, and communities. In a divided world, the festival doubles down on inclusion, collaboration, and open access, with free public programming at the Festival Village and across select outdoor stages, inviting everyone into the conversation.
This year’s lineup strikes a sharp balance between rising talent and boundary-pushing innovation. We’re especially looking forward to sets from Florence Road, Just Mustard, Balancing Act, Honey I’m Home, The Buoys, and Dry Cleaning. But if you want to discover all our highlights make sure to stay tuned, as we’ll be publishing our full list of must-sees shortly before the festival.
And while music may be at the heart of Reeperbahn, the festival stretches far beyond the stage. Expect live podcast recordings, visual art, immersive exhibitions, and thought-provoking talks across venues — from classic cinemas to underground spaces.
The Reeperbahn Conference, running in tandem with the festival, remains Europe’s most influential music business gathering. It’s where ideas are traded, deals are made, and careers are launched — whether through label showcases, matchmakings, or masterclasses from the industry's leading thinkers.
Reeperbahn’s role as an incubator of next-gen talent cannot be overstated. Past performers include Ed Sheeran, Janelle Monáe, Sigrid, and Bon Iver — all of whom played the festival early in their careers. The ANCHOR Award, judged by an international jury, continues to spotlight breakout acts with global potential.
Meanwhile, initiatives like Wunderkinder – German Music Talent and Keychange underscore Reeperbahn’s commitment to artist development, equity, and long-term change in the music ecosystem.