We want to keep the impact of our festival on the environment and society as low as possible and raise awareness for responsible action. Whether through waste reduction, resource-conscious event planning, or sustainable mobility offerings – we implement concrete measures that reduce the ecological footprint. With formats such as the Sustain Green Culture Summit at the Reeperbahn Festival Conference, we also promote the exchange on sustainable practices in the music and cultural sector and provide impulses on how the creative industries and festivals can be shaped for the future. We also understand sustainability as a social responsibility: fair conditions for artists, partners, and employees are just as important as a long-term positive impact on the city of Hamburg and everyone experiencing the festival.

Awareness is an integral part of our festival culture: We stand for respect, inclusion, and a safe environment for everyone—so that all visitors, artists, partners, and staff feel welcome and can enjoy the festival without worry. Here’s how we put awareness into practice.

Equality and diversity are central values of the Reeperbahn Festival. Through our participation in the international Keychange initiative, we send a clear signal for gender equality and fair representation of all gender identities on and off stage. Likewise, with interview and discussion formats such as Quotes, we create spaces where voices from underrepresented communities can share their perspectives, experiences, and demands. Together, these initiatives contribute to making the music and cultural sector more diverse, fair, and accessible.

We give young musicians targeted opportunities to present their music, connect with the industry, and gain valuable experience. With our support program Wunderkinder – German Music Talent, newcomers receive a platform to perform in front of an international professional audience, make contacts with labels, booking and publishing representatives, and take the next step in their careers. In addition, with the Anchor – Reeperbahn Festival International Music Award, we honor outstanding international newcomers and provide them with a springboard for global attention and growth. In this way, we create spaces at the festival where new voices are heard, talents can establish themselves internationally, and music careers can grow.

With 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 and make know-how and experiences accessible to everyone. In addition, our awards – IMJA, VIA, and Helga! – honor outstanding achievements and provide artists and industry players with a stage to showcase themselves and seize career opportunities. With The Sound of Solution, we also promote direct exchange between innovators and decision-makers to actively shape the music industry.

Participation is therefore a central value of the Reeperbahn Festival. Even on stage itself, we enable direct participation: through our open submission, artists from all over the world can apply for a performance at the Reeperbahn Festival and become part of the program. In this way, we create concrete access to the festival’s live platform and give new talents the chance to present themselves to an international audience of fans and industry representatives.

In doing so, we create opportunities for visibility and networking and open the doors for everyone who wants to experience and help shape the industry.

Special moments define the Reeperbahn Festival. Even the Opening Show sets the tone for what follows: inspiring encounters, artistic surprises, and experiences that resonate long after. Throughout the festival, such special moments repeatedly occur – when well-known personalities from music, art, and culture come together or when new creative impulses are set. Our format COLLIDE, in which music acts and visual artists create new forms of expression together, also produces immersive experiences. All of these moments combine to form a festival feeling that is unique and makes the Reeperbahn Festival special year after year.