Bloody X-Mas Market in Hamburg: Donate blood together, do good and rock the run-up to Christmas

The Bloody X-Mas Market is coming to Hamburg! On November 20 and 21, 2026, the area between the UKE Blood Donation Center and the UKE University Heart and Vascular Center (Building O60) will be transformed into an extraordinary Christmas market for everyone who wants to show some heart (and blood).

The event combines a large-scale blood donation campaign with live music, a festive pre-Christmas atmosphere, culinary highlights and a strong sense of community. The first musical acts have already been confirmed: Heavysaurus and Subway To Sally will take to the stage, bringing the perfect dose of music and great vibes to this festive setting. More acts and program highlights will be announced soon.

The focus is on solidarity, community spirit and the opportunity to save lives with a single blood donation. Admission is free.

Blood donors are the real headliners
Thousands of units of donated blood are needed in Germany every day. At the same time, blood donation rates are declining in many areas. The Bloody X-Mas Market therefore aims to raise awareness of the vital importance of blood donation and encourage people to take action.

Donating blood means giving hope. And those who visit the market can support a good cause, too: proceeds from the event will go to Childhood-Haus Hamburg. The child protection center at the UKE is an interdisciplinary outpatient facility where children and adolescents who have experienced physical, sexual or emotional abuse or neglect are examined and supported by specially trained professionals in a child-friendly environment.

W:O:A founder and organizer Thomas Jensen on the Bloody X-Mas Market: “In Wacken, we have always said that the greatest strength comes from people standing together and supporting one another. That is exactly the spirit we want to bring to Hamburg with the Bloody X-Mas Market. When we harness the energy of our community to do good together, we can make a real difference and show that solidarity extends far beyond the festival grounds!”

W:O:A founder and organizer Holger Hübner adds: “Everyone who donates blood is a true everyday rockstar! They take responsibility, give hope and can save lives through their actions. With the Bloody X-Mas Market, we want to bring together people who not only want to celebrate, but also make a difference and support those who urgently need our help!”

Dr. Sven Peine, Head of the Institute for Transfusion Medicine at the UKE, also emphasizes the importance of this joint initiative: “Blood donations are essential for reliable medical care and can save lives when it matters most. Initiatives like the Bloody X-Mas Market bring this issue to public attention in a unique way and demonstrate how much we can achieve together. Every donation counts – and everyone who takes part makes a valuable contribution to our society!”

Where Metal spirit meets Christmas magic
The Bloody X-Mas Market brings together the best of two worlds: the warmth of the Christmas season and the unique sense of solidarity within the metal community. Visitors can look forward to winter specialties, hot drinks, sweet and savory treats, a raffle featuring attractive prizes and a varied program of live music.

Alongside plenty of live music to get everyone in the pre-Christmas spirit, familiar faces from the metal scene will also be there. Among them is Marcus Bischoff, frontman of Heaven Shall Burn. The band supports the Wacken blood donation initiative as its official ambassador and actively advocates for blood donation, including through the Pay With Your Blood campaign.

For Marcus Bischoff (Heaven Shall Burn vocalist), a trained intensive care nurse, this commitment goes far beyond a symbolic gesture: “From my own experience, I know how crucial an adequate supply of blood products can be in an emergency. During my time working in a hospital, I often witnessed how blood can mean the difference between life and death. At the same time, any one of us could find ourselves in a situation where we need it ourselves. That is why donating blood is one of the simplest and most effective ways to take responsibility for one another. The little needle prick is quickly forgotten, but the help you give others lasts. That is what it is all about: standing together in solidarity and making a difference as a community.”

However, the Bloody X-Mas Market is not just for people who are eligible to donate blood. Everyone is welcome, including those who are unable to donate for health reasons, those who choose not to donate at this time, and anyone who simply wants to support the initiative. Solidarity can take many forms: by visiting the market, connecting with others, supporting the charitable cause or simply being part of this special community.

Whether you’re a die-hard metalhead, a regular blood donor, a family person or a Christmas market enthusiast, everyone is welcome to come together and send a powerful message of humanity, solidarity and civic engagement.

Further information about the live music program, the line-up, special guests and meet-and-greets will be announced in the coming weeks.
 

Location
Area between the UKE Blood Donation Center and the UKE University Heart and Vascular Center (Building O60)
University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE)
Martinistraße 52, Hamburg

Market Opening Hours
Friday, November 20, 2026: 12:00–21:00
Saturday, November 21, 2026: 12:00–21:00

Blood Donation Hours
Friday, November 20, 2026: 07:00–18:00
Saturday, November 21, 2026: 10:00–16:00

Free Admission