Festivals and events calendar Rotterdam (2024)

Festivals and Events Rotterdam 2022/2023

Rotterdam is one of the best festival cities in the world and chosen several times as best festival city of Europe via IFEA World Festival & Event City. Find the best festivals and events of Rotterdam in our festival calendar Stay informed, get inspired and find your favorite Rotterdam festival!

January 2023 – Events Calendar Rotterdam

January 22 – January 29 2023

Chinese New Year
The West-Kruiskade forms the centre of the Chinese New Year in Rotterdam on Saturday. Great happening in Rotterdam that has the biggest Chinese population of the Netherlands.

January 25 – February 5 2023

Film Festival Rotterdam
Biggest filmfestival of the Netherlands offering a wide range of smaller, alternative films from all corners of the world. Great international atmosphere with lots of charming events and parties.

February 2023 – Events Calender Rotterdam

February 9 – February 12 2023

Art Rotterdam Week
Prominent art fairs, exhibitions, pop-ups and much more during Art Rotterdam Week. Free shuttle buses between the several location, like Van Nelle Factory, 4havengebied and Kop van Zuid.

February 11 – February 19 2023

World Tennis Tournament
One of the biggest indoor tennis tournaments worldwide with more than 122.000 visitors, ABN World Tennis Tournament is held in Ahoy Rotterdam since 1973.

March 2023 – Events Calendar Rotterdam

March 4 2023

Museumnight010
Dozens of museums and cultural institutions open their doors to the public from 20:00 hour till 01:00 hour. With one ticket you get acces to all those spots.

April 2022 – Events Calendar Rotterdam

April 9 – April 10 2022

Marathon Rotterdam
The 38th edition of the largest and liveliest sport event of the Netherlands. Great atmosphere.

April 21 – April 23

Motel Mozaïque
Spread around several locations in town, you can expect pop, theater, performances and visual arts.

April 27

Kings Day
Koningsdag is celebrated in several parts of Rotterdam with markets, music festivals and activities.

May 2022 – Events Calendar Rotterdam

May 5 2022

Liberation Festival
Bevrijdingsdag is held in De Park. The program includes live music, performances, debates and many other activities.

May 18 – May 22 2022

Day of the Reconstruction
With the Wederopbouw Dag the reconstruction of Rotterdam is celebrated.

May 18 – May 22

O Festival
A festival arised from the Opera Day. Expect opera, all kind of music, theater and performances at several locations.

June 2022 – Events Calendar Rotterdam

June 1 – June 30 2022

Architecture Month Rotterdam
Rotterdam Architectuurmaand includes several architecture events like Roof Days and Day of the Architecture.

June 3 – June 5 2022

Rotterdams Roof Days
During the weekend you can experience Rotterdam from more than 55 roofs from all kind of special buildings.

June 10 – June 12 2022

Poetry International Festival
Poetry from all corners of the world during de 49th edition of the Poetry International Festival. Central location: De Doelen.

June18 – June 19 2022

Day of de Architecture
During Dag van de Architectuur many architectural icons are open for the public.

June 23 – July 10 2022

Rotterdam Unlimited Festival
One of the largest summer festivals Europa that includes the famous summer carnaval of Rotterdam.

July 2022 – Events calendar Rotterdam

July 8 – July 10 2022

North Sea Jazz
In Ahoy the largest inside jazz festival is held. More than 150 performances, 1300 artists and 70.000 visitors.

July 26 – July 30 2022

Rotterdam Unlimited
One of the largest summer festivals in Europe. Among the festivals is the famous summer carnaval of Rotterdam.

August 2021 – Events Calendar Rotterdam

4 – 22 August (not confirmed)

Pleinbioscoop Rotterdam
A great Rotterdam tradition, the Pleinbioscoop. Watch movies in the open air for free.

5 – 8 August (not confirmed)

De Geheime Tuin
The Secret Garden is a festival of poetry, food, yoga, live music, a silent disco and much more. Every year a new hidden location.

6 – 7 August (not confirmed)

Bierfestival Hop
Expect a true beer fest. Location: Wijkpark het Oude Westen. Celebrating life with craft beer.

7 August

Blijdorp Festival
The Blijdorp Festival is about art, culture, music and cheerfulness. Check out the line-up and tickets.

7 – 8 August

17 August 2019

Rotterdam Rave Festival
Rotterdam Rave Festival is a technofestival held on the RDM grounds of Heijplaat. From 13:00 till 23:00 hour. Afterparty Maassilo.

23 – 25 August 11 2019

Dag van de Romantische Muziek
The charming ‘Day of the Romantic Music’ is on of the oldest festivals of Rotterdam. Enjoy concerts, sitting on the grass in a romantic setting. Location:Het Park

21 August (not confirmed)

Vrije Volk Festival
This free minded festival takes place in the Vroesenpark from 13:00 till 23:00 hour.

28 August (not confirmed)

Waterfestival Rotte
A bunch of water activities between the Zwaanshalskade and the Crooswijksebocht.

September 2021 – Events Calendar Rotterdam

4 – 5 September (not confirmed)

Wereldhavendagen
The ‘World Harbour Days’ are an unique opportunity to discover the famous Port of Rotterdam, the biggest harbour in Europe.

5 September (not confirmed)

Nacht van de Kaap
The Nacht van de Kaap goes back in the history when Katendrecht was a sailor’s neighbourhood and a well-known red light district worldwide. You can expect foodtrucks, theater and musical performances. Entrance 20 euro.

12 September (not confirmed)

Baroeg Open Air
A free music festival in the Zuiderpark with heavy underground music including rock, metal and punk. Eleventh edition; from 12:00 hour.

12 – 13 September (not confirmed)

Monumentendag
On ‘Monuments Day’ you can visit several interesting monuments that are normally not accessible for public. Theme 2019: Places of pleasure.

20 September (not confirmed)

Harbour Tour
Cycling trough unique areas in the great Port of Rotterdam. You can opt for 70, 100 and 135 km.

24 – 26 September (not confirmed)

Camera Japan Festival
Thirteenth edition of Camera Japan Festival in Rotterdam. More than 40 films, varying from arthouse drama and comedy to horror and anime..

October 2021 – Events Calendar Rotterdam

3 October (not confirmed)

A Festival Downtown
This festival is all about electronic music. Around Nieuwe Binnenweg.

4 October (not confirmed)

Harbour Run
With this unique obstacle run you go right through the Rotterdam harbour.

7 – 11 October (not confirmed)

AFFR
The Architecture Film Festival shows films and documentaries from at home and abroad. Location LantarenVenster.

10 October (not confirmed)

16 – 17 October (not confirmed)

Left of the Dial
Around 50 bands play at 6 locations around Eendrachtsplein and Nieuwe Binnenweg. First edition.

23 – 24 October (not confirmed)

28 October – 1 November (not confirmed)

WFFR
The Wildlife Film Festival is presenting a fine selection of national and international nature films. Third edition; location Cinerama Rotterdam.

November 2021 – Events Calendar Rotterdam

31 October till 8 November (not confirmed)

Rotterdamse Popweek
A chain of pop activities spread over town during 10 days. Rotterdamse Popweek include several festivals.

31 October (not confirmed)

Popronde Rotterdam
Traveling music festival that brings the best Dutch pop artists to Rotterdam. Part of Rotterdamse Popweek.

11-15 November (not confirmed)

Cross Comix Festival
Let’s get visual. Immerse yourself in the world of comix, visual story telling, comedy and cross-pollination. The Cross Comix Festival will surprise!

14 November (not confirmed)

Sinterklaas Entry
Sinterklaas lands again in Rotterdam. The spectacle for kids will start at 12:30 hour at the Willemsplein and will end at the Grote Kerkplein.

21 November (not confirmed)

Toffler Indoor Festival
Toffler Indoor Festival is held at an unique location in the harbour: the Onderzeeloods.

25-28 November (not confirmed)

REC Festival
Electronic music festival with lots of techno, dance and hiphop. Annabel forms heart of the festival. Third edition

December 2021 – Events Calendar Rotterdam

29 November (not confirmed)

Blijdorp Winter Festival
Blijdorp Winter Festival is a house, techno and hiphop festival in Rotterdam. The festival is held in the famous Van Nelle Fabriek.

6 December (not confirmed)

Bruggenloop
Thirty first edition of the traditional ‘winter bridge walk’.

14 December – 12 January (not confirmed)

IJsvrij Park Festival
For the third time the IJsvrij Park Festival is organized. This time you can skate at Plein 1940 in the middle of the centre.

27 April (not confirmed)

Kralingse Bos Festival
Largest festival on Kings Day. On several stages you can expect a wide range of musical styles.

27 April (not confirmed)

Kings Day
The nationalholiday Kings Day (the birth of King Willem-Alexander) is celebrated in Rotterdam with several markets, music festivals and several other activities. Well-known markets can be found around Coolsingel, Witte de Withstraat and Nieuwe Binnenweg.