Events in Rotterdam you must know about

The International Film Festival Rotterdam offers a quality selection of worldwide independent, innovative and experimental cinema as well as a series of film-related visual arts exhibitions and live performances. Devoted to actively support independent filmmaking from around the globe, IFFR is the essential hub in Holland for discovering film talent, for catching premieres, and for exploring its competitions, main sections of recent feature films, short films and documentaries, visual arts exhibitions, theme sections and debates.

Every year in January/February

Summercarnival is the most colorful and tropical party of the Netherlands, every year in July. Summer Carnival is a 3-day Caribbean Carnival in the city centre of Rotterdam. Summer Carnival, similar to the carnival in Rio, is a huge event where at least 900.000 visitors come from all over Europe to dance to the latin music and look at the colourful and amazing costumes and floats in the big street parade. In addition to the 25 live orchestras in the parade, Summer Carnival presents national and international artistes on the stage.

Annually in July

Every year in september the festival encompasses 11 days of opera, symphonic music, a children’s programme, the happening C the City and above all a series of musical pearls with artistes of world renown. This internationally renowned event offers broad programming on a different theme each year, under the artistic direction of world-class conductor Valery Gergiev.

Annually in September

Kings Day is a national holiday on 27 April in the Netherlands and celebrates the birthday of the King. In the centre of the city people can sell their old stuff and here and there bands play. At the end of the day there are fireworks near the river Maas. Orange (the color of the Royal Family) is the color for that day. From orange food and drinks to orange clothing and even an orange water fountain at the Hofplein roundabout.

Annually April 27 (King’s night April 26)

North Sea Jazz Festival is the biggest jazz festival in the world. Just about every genre is represented there – from traditional New Orleans jazz, swing, bop and free jazz, to fusion, avant-garde jazz and electronic jazz. And it doesn’t stop at jazz; blues, gospel, funk, soul, hip hop, R&B, world beat and Latin enthusiasts have a great time as well. In short, the annual North Sea Jazz Festival is a multi-faceted event that attracts between 60,000 and 100,000 visitors each year, from countries all over the world. Prior to and during the jazz festival in Ahoy there will be over 150 (mostly free) concerts throughout the city. In addition, there will be exhibitions, boat trips with live jazz, jazz cruises, master classes, film and video presentations.

Annually in July

The Wereldhavendagen (World Harbour days), a large, annual maritime event, is a festive and adventurous opportunity for its visitors to get a glimpse behind the scenes of the Port and Industrial area. Visitors are offered a wide range of activities, such as ship tours, naval activities, demonstrations, seminars, excursions, exhibitions, music, preliminary work, to mention just a few. A chance for people from Rotterdam and others to experience the second largest port in the world.

Every year in September