To mark the tenth anniversary of the designation of the Speicherstadt historical warehouse district and the Kontorhaus area with the Chilehaus as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as the 140th anniversary of HHLA, the Speicherstadt will become part of the renowned Festival of Lights. As a culmination of the 2025 anniversary celebrations, HHLA, together with the Authority for Culture and Media, will display a spectacular light projection on the façade of Warehouse Block P – daily from 18 to 20 September, from 8 p.m. to midnight

The installation created by the Festival of Lights team invites the public on a visual journey through time. It begins with the construction of the Speicherstadt, highlights its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and recognises the significance of the Speicherstadt and the Kontorhaus area today within a global context – on a par with world-famous monuments like the Taj Mahal and the Great Wall of China.

Michael Fußner, Managing Director, Business Administration for HHLA Real Estate: “As well as being an architectural masterpiece, the Speicherstadt historical warehouse district is a living witness to our history. We are proud to bring its unique heritage to life in such an impressive way with the world-renowned Festival of Lights. The light projection offers a magical moment that unites tradition with modernity and makes the significance of this special place visible to everyone – both visitors and those who, as tenants, are part of this special history.”

Isabelle Mühlstädt, UNESCO World Heritage Coordinator: “The Speicherstadt historical warehouse district and the Kontorhaus area featuring the Chilehaus are important witnesses to our cultural and trading history. This makes us all the more pleased to focus the public’s attention on the Speicherstadt in such an impressive way with the light installation. We can look back on a ten-year partnership with HHLA based on mutual trust, and we hope to further expand our joint commitment to Hamburg’s UNESCO World Heritage in the future.”

Invitation to the premiere

The celebratory premiere of the light projections takes place on 18 September 2025 at 8 p.m. The light installation at Block P will be ceremonially opened together with guests and friends of the Speicherstadt, and it is still possible to register for the premiere. To do so, please send an email to events@hhla.de.
World Heritage Night

The light projection can be seen by the public in the evening time from 18 to 20 September as part of World Heritage Night and represents the culmination of the anniversary celebrations for the Speicherstadt. You can find further information on World Heritage Night and the Festival of Lights in the Speicherstadt at: welterbenacht.hamburg.de