Rotterdam becomes Europe’s biggest outdoor party every summer. From early May to mid‑September, world‑class music, street parades, foodie events and cultural celebrations spill into parks, plazas, and the harbour.
North Sea Jazz Festival
Rotterdam’s musical crown jewel returns to Ahoy on 10–12 July 2026. The North Sea Jazz Festival features more than 150 concerts across multiple indoor stages. Expect a broad mix: modern jazz, soul, hip‑hop, funk and world music. Previous editions have featured household names such as Herbie Hancock, Norah Jones and Wynton Marsalis. The festival is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026, so expect extra special collaborations and surprise guests. Tickets typically sell out months in advance and three‑day passes go on sale around November the previous year.
- Website: North Sea Jazz
- Instagram: @northseajazz
North Sea Round Town
Running parallel to North Sea Jazz, North Sea Round Town is a free city‑wide fringe festival. The 2026 edition runs from 25 June to 12 July 2026 and features over 350 concerts at 125 locations across Rotterdam. Pop‑up gigs, rooftop sessions and jam nights take jazz, soul, funk, hip‑hop and electronic music into neighbourhood cafes, parks and even ferry boats. It’s a great way for expats to discover local venues and emerging artists.
- Website: North Sea Round Town
- Instagram: @northsearoundtown
Rotterdam Unlimited & Zomercarnaval
The city’s most colourful street party takes place on Friday 24 and Saturday 25 July 2026. Rotterdam Unlimited combines Zomercarnaval – an explosive Caribbean‑style parade with over two thousand costumed dancers – with music stages, food stalls and sound systems. It celebrates Rotterdam’s multicultural identity: expect soca, salsa, brass bands, brassband competitions and summer street food from all over the globe. The highlight is Saturday’s Street Parade, a kaleidoscope of floats and dance groups weaving through the city centre. Entry is free and the atmosphere is electric.
- Website: Zomercarnaval
- Instagram: @rotterdamunlimited
Keti Koti Festival Rotterdam
Keti Koti, meaning “broken chains” in Sranan Tongo, commemorates the abolition of slavery in Suriname and the Dutch Caribbean. In Rotterdam the commemoration ceremony takes place on 30 June 2026 followed by a festival on the same evening at Schouwburgplein, running from 16:00 until 23:00rotterdam.info. The event includes a solemn memorial, musical performances, speeches and a joyful celebration of Afro‑Caribbean culture with food and craft stalls.
- Website: Keti Koti Rotterdam
- Instagram: @ketikotirotterdam
Rotterdam Bluegrass Festival
From 3 July 2026 (13:30–23:00) through 5 July 2026bluegrassfestival.nl, the Noordplein neighbourhood hosts an intimate bluegrass festival celebrating Americana, folk and old‑time music. Rotterdam Bluegrass Festival attracts international acts and Dutch musicians, with jam sessions, square dancing and craft beer complementing the live performances. The festival fosters an inclusive community vibe and is free to attend, though donations are welcomed to keep the festival sustainable.
- Website: bluegrassfestival.nl
- Instagram: @bluegrassfestival
Modular Festival
Electronic music fans should mark 3 July 2026 on their calendar. The Modular Festival takes place at Stadshaven Brouwerij (Galileistraat 24), running from 09:00 to 23:00rotterdam.info. With a focus on creative freedom and eclectic house and techno, Modular brings together local DJs and international headliners in an industrial setting. Food courts and art installations complement the music, and the after‑party often stretches deep into the night.
- Website: Modular Music
- Instagram: @modularmusicnl
Reggae Roots Rotterdam
A celebration of Jamaica’s musical heritage takes over Zuiderpark on 4 July 2026rotterdam.infouitagendarotterdam.nl. Reggae Roots Rotterdam offers four stages – including a main stage, Roots Stage and dub sound systems – showcasing international reggae, dancehall and dub artists. The event is curated by Burning Spear, who often headlines, and includes soul food stalls and a crafts marketuitagendarotterdam.nl. With a relaxed family‑friendly atmosphere, the festival highlights Rotterdam’s longstanding reggae community.
- Website: reggaerootsrotterdam.nl
reggaeroots.nl
- Instagram: @reggaerootsrotterdam
Dunya Festival
Dunya returns to Rotterdam on 5 July 2026rotterdamstyle.com, transforming Zuiderpark into a melting pot of global music and spoken word. The festival celebrates Rotterdam’s cultural diversity with free performances by artists from Africa, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East. After several years’ absence due to funding issues, Dunya is back with a focus on sustainability and community. It forms part of a weekend double‑header: Reggae Roots (Saturday) followed by Dunya on Sundayrotterdamstyle.com. Bring a picnic blanket and explore food stalls representing the city’s many cultures.
- Website: Dunya Festival
- Instagram: @dunya.rotterdam
African Food Festival
Food lovers should head to Museumpark on 17–18 July 2026, when the African Food Festival brings together chefs, artisans and cultural performersrotterdam.info. Running from 13:00 until 23:00 both days, the festival celebrates Africa’s culinary heritage with street food, live cooking workshops, music and dance. The event is family‑friendly and aims to foster cultural exchange between Rotterdam’s African diaspora and the wider community.
- Website: africanfoodfestival.nl
- Instagram: @africanfoodfestival
Festival TREK – Food Truck Festival
The travelling food truck circus Festival TREK pitches its tents in Rotterdam’s Vroesenpark from 7–10 May 2026experiencegift.com. Dozens of lovingly converted trucks serve everything from gourmet burgers and vegan sushi to craft beer and cocktails. Live bands, theatre performers and stand‑up comedians create a lively atmosphere, making it a relaxed way to kick off the summer. Entry is free, with tokens used to buy food and drinks.
- Website: festival-trek.nl
- Instagram: @festival_trek
A Day at the Park
Billed as Rotterdam’s summer‑closing party, A Day at the Park returns to Kralingse Bos on 12 September 2026 from 14:00–23:00adatp.nl. The one‑day festival mixes house and disco across several stages set amid woodland near the lake. Boutique food stalls, art installations and a dedicated kids’ area make it suitable for families as well as party‑goers. Bring cash for lockers and note that professional cameras are not allowed.
- Website: adayatthepark.nl
- Instagram: @adayatthepark
Fiesta Futura
This new festival will debut in Zuiderpark on 13 September 2026rotterdamstyle.com. Organised by the team behind the legendary Metropolis festival, Fiesta Futura promises a “wedding‑party‑like” atmosphere with an eclectic mix of Balkan, ska, cumbia, rai and dubrotterdamstyle.com. The event is free and serves as a celebratory counterpoint to the heavy‑music Baroeg Open Air festival that takes place in the same park the day before. Expect brass bands, DJ collectives and pop‑up dance floors.
- Website: fiestafutura.nl
- Instagram: @fiestafutura
Baroeg Open Air
Rotterdam’s long‑running alternative music festival takes place in Zuiderpark over two days in 2026. The official Baroeg website urges fans to “save the date: Friday 11 September & Saturday 12 September 2026”baroeg.nl. It offers a mix of metal, punk, hardcore, gothic and crossover actsrotterdam.info, plus a cider garden and metal market. There’s usually a free programme on the Friday with ticketed headline acts on Saturday.
- Website: baroegopenair.nl
- Instagram: @baroegopenair
World Port Days (Wereldhavendagen)
Rotterdam’s maritime heritage is celebrated during World Port Days. The 49th edition is confirmed for 4–6 September 2026wereldhavendagen.nl, with events taking place along the Maas riverfront and in the harbour. Ship tours, sailing demonstrations, naval parades and fireworks showcase the modern port’s links with the city. Activities range from children’s workshops to helicopter displays and naval vessel visits. Entry to the quay events is free, though some ship tours require paid tickets.
- Website: wereldhavendagen.nl
- Instagram: @wereldhavendagen
Tips for expats
- Plan ahead. Many festivals release early‑bird tickets months in advance, and accommodation around Ahoy or Kralingse Bos can book up quickly.
- Use public transport. Most venues are easily accessible via Rotterdam’s efficient tram, bus and metro system. Night buses run after major festivals.
- Embrace local culture. Rotterdam’s summer festivals are a melting pot of cultures – try unfamiliar foods, learn a few Dutch words and join the parade.
- Stay informed. Dates sometimes shift or extra days are added. Follow each festival’s social media for last‑minute line‑up changes or weather updates.
