Visitors’s Guide | FAQs
Locations, Venues & Directions
Hamburg and Harburg – what is the difference, and how do I get where I need to be?
Harburg is a district of Hamburg located south of the Elbe river. The easiest way to reach Harburg is by public transport.
Please note: Due to extensive maintenance work, buses replace trains (S3 and S5) between Wilhelmsburg and Neugraben from May 10–23. To reach ICMC HAMBURG 2026 conference venues when traveling from the city center, you may take a replacement bus from Wilhelmsburg to Harburg, Harburg Rathaus, or Heimfeld (TU Hamburg).
How long does it take to travel between conference venues?
Except for the opening concert on Sunday, which takes place at the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg’s city center, all conference venues are located in Harburg. These venues are within two kilometers (roughly 1.2 miles) from one another. If you do not want to walk, you may use public transport.
For more information and bus schedules, visit hvv.de or download the HVV app (Android/iOS). You can find Google Maps directions for all conference venues via the map feature on the ICMC HAMBURG 2026 website.
(Digital) Infrastructure
Is there Wi-Fi?
Throughout ICMC HAMBURG 2026, you can access the open Wi-Fi networks at Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH) and the ligeti center. QR codes are provided on-site and in the Visitor Guide in your Welcome Bag.
Please note that free Wi-Fi may not be available at all ICMC venues, e.g. concert halls such as the Friedrich-Ebert-Halle. If you depend on a reliable internet connection, please make the appropriate arrangements with your provider or purchase a local SIM card.
I am lost and/or have a question about venues, directions, the program, etc. What should I do?
The Info & Registration Desk is open and staffed from Monday to Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can find us in Building H at TUHH.
Concerts & Ticketing
I am traveling with companions who are not attending the conference. Can I get additional concert tickets?
Yes, several concerts are open to the public. You may purchase additional tickets for the opening concert, lunch concerts, evening concerts, and the final club concert and after-party at Stellwerk Hamburg. Please note that the ticketing website is in German. If you require assistance, please let us know.
Wednesday’s club concert at Speicher am Kaufhauskanal is open to the public and free of charge.
Will there be printed concert programs?
Printed programs will be available at the opening concert at the Elbphilharmonie and at evening concerts at the Friedrich-Ebert-Halle. For other concerts and ICMC HAMBURG 2026 events, please consult the schedule and the detailed program online.
Catering
Do I need to bring drinks?
Free water, coffee, and tea are available to conference attendees at Building H at TUHH. You may also refill up your ICMC HAMBURG 2026 water bottle at any tab, as tab water in Germany is potable.
Where can I get lunch?
TUHH’s cafeteria (“Mensa”) is open to ICMC HAMBURG 2026 attendees and serves lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. An integrated pizza bar is open Monday to Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Friday, 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Important: Please note that Thursday, May 14, is a public holiday in Germany. The cafeteria, the pizza bar, and all supermarkets off campus will be closed.
Luggage & Merch
I am checking out of my hotel on Saturday morning. Can I store my luggage at the conference venue?
Yes, luggage storage is available near the Registration & Info Desk in Building H. Throughout the conference, you may also hang up your jackets and store backpacks. The storage area is supervised from 8:30 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.
Can I get ICMC HAMBURG 2026 merch?
Yes, you can purchase a custom screen-printed T-shirt at the Registration & Info Desk on Monday and Tuesday for 20–25 Euro.
Important: Please note that Thursday, May 14, is a public holiday in Germany. The cafeteria, the pizza bar, and all supermarkets off campus will be closed.
Off-ICMC
What is the Off-ICMC and how do I attend?
The Off-ICMC offers a companion program to the academic conference specifically tailored to the general public – whether it be through low-threshold workshops, interactive performances, or guided visits to ICMC rehearsals for local families. The festival center opens on Monday morning and provides anyone curious about computer music with inspirational program ideas throughout Harburg. A highlight takes places on Tuesday evening: Scientists and artists face the public in a science slam about music in the digital age at the Kultur Palast Harburg.
The Off-ICMC is organized by the ligeti center. The interdisciplinary center – a joint project of ICMC HAMBURG 2026’s four host universities – bridges the arts, science, technology, and health through open-access projects that enable and foster public participation. Thanks to its funding through the federal and state initiative “Innovative Hochschule,” all ligeti center events, including the Off-ICMC, are free of charge.
ICMC HAMBURG 2026 are warmly invited to participate in Off-ICMC events and to engage with local participants.