We aim to minimise our Festival’s impact on the environment and society and to raise awareness for responsible action. From reducing waste and resource-efficient event planning to sustainable transport options – we take concrete steps to reduce our ecological footprint.
With events such as the Sustain Green Culture Summit  at the Reeperbahn Festival Conference, we also promote dialogue about sustainable practices in the music and cultural sectors and offer ideas on how the creative industries and festivals can be made future-proof. We also view sustainability as a social responsibility: fair conditions for artists, partners and staff are equally important, as is having a long-term positive impact on the city of Hamburg and everyone who experiences the Festival.

Awareness is part of our Festival’s culture: we champion respect, inclusion and a safe environment for everyone – ensuring that all visitors, artists, partners and staff feel welcome and can just relax and enjoy the Festival. Read about how we put awareness into practice.

Equality and diversity are core values of the Reeperbahn Festival. Through our participation in the international Keychange Initiative, we send a clear signal in support of gender equality and fair representation of all gender identities both on and off stage. Likewise, we use interview and discussion platforms such as Quotes to create spaces where voices from under-represented communities can share their perspectives, experiences and requirements. Together, these initiatives help to make the music and cultural industries more diverse, fairer and more accessible.

We specifically give young musicians the chance to showcase their music, network with the industry and gain valuable experience. Our support programme Wunderkinder – German Music Talent gives newcomers a platform to perform for an international audience of industry professionals, make contacts with labels, booking agents and publishing representatives, and take the next step in their careers. What’s more, with the Anchor – Reeperbahn Festival International Music Award we honour outstanding international newcomers and offer them a springboard towards global recognition and growth. In this way, we create spaces at the Festival where new voices can be heard, talent can make its mark internationally, and music careers can flourish.

Through our Reeperbahn Festival Conference, we create a space where artists, industry experts and creatives can network, exchange ideas and learn from best practices. Formats such as the Deep Dive podcast offer in-depth insights into the music and creative industries, making expertise and experience available to everyone. Beyond that, our awards – IMJA, VIA and Helga! – recognise outstanding achievements and provide artists and industry professionals with a platform to showcase their work and make the most of career opportunities. The Sound of Solution sees us also foster direct dialogue between innovators and decision-makers to actively shape the music industry.

All this shows that participation is the core value of the Reeperbahn Festival. We also enable direct participation on the stage itself: our open call for submissions allows artists from all over the world to apply to perform at the Reeperbahn Festival and be part of the programme. By doing this, we give new talent a real chance on the Festival’s live platform to present themselves to an international audience of fans and industry professionals.

It means we create opportunities to gain visibility and build connections, and open the doors to anyone who wants to experience and help shape the industry.

Special moments make the Reeperbahn Festival what it is. The opening show itself sets the tone for what follows: inspiring interactions, artistic surprises and experiences that stay with you long after the event. Throughout the Festival, there are many more special moments like these – when well-known figures from the worlds of music, art and culture come together, or when new creative inspiration is ignited. Our  COLLIDE programme, which brings together music acts and visual artists to create new forms of expression, also generates immersive experiences. All these moments combine to create a festival atmosphere that is unique and makes the Reeperbahn Festival stand out year after year.