ROTTERDAM, 8 August 2024 – The World Port Days (Wereldhavendagen) will introduce a new central festival square for the first time this September. The square will serve as the heart of the event, featuring a day and evening programme for visitors.
The upcoming edition of the World Port Days, scheduled for 6, 7, and 8 September 2024 in Rotterdam, will feature the introduction of the World Port Festival Square (Wereldhaven Festivalplein). Located at Baltimoreplein, the open space between the Cruise Terminal and the World Port Center on Rotterdam's Kop van Zuid, this square will act as the central hub for the event, offering a diverse programme that caters to all ages. The programming will include performances, interviews, dialogues, cultural and nautical activities, and a variety of food and beverage options. Additionally, there will be a dedicated area for children's activities.
For the first time, the World Port Days will include a Friday evening programme, with the square open from 10:00 to 23:00 on both Friday and Saturday, and until 18:00 on Sunday. Access to the square, like most of the World Port Days events, will be free of charge.
A new meeting point
The World Port Festival Square aims to be a central meeting place for visitors of all ages. The square will be populated with numerous food trucks and bars, providing ample options for food and drink. The large stage on the square will host a variety of performances, including musicians, dancers, and DJs, as well as interviews and dialogue sessions. There will also be a programme designed to facilitate discussions between representatives from the port and the citizens of Rotterdam. This programme will run alongside the water shows on the Nieuwe Maas, with large screens on the quays displaying the activities.
The creation of the World Port Festival Square is a collaborative effort with several local organisations, including Rotterdam Street Culture Week, CODARTS, Circus Rotjeknor, and OPEN Rotterdam. These organisations, deeply connected to the city and its harbour, will contribute to the diverse programme. On Friday, the programme will focus on a younger audience aged 15 to 25, while Saturday's events will appeal to a broader public.
Sabine Bruijnincx, Director of World Port Days, commented on the development: “There has long been a desire to create a central meeting place at our event where the vibrant atmosphere can be maintained even after 18:00, when most activities on the quays and water have concluded. We saw this wish reflected in the evaluations with our audience, particularly among young people. I am proud that we can now offer such a space, made possible by many talented organisations within our city. While relaxation and entertainment are central at the Festival Square, the dialogue programme ensures that the World Port Days also provides an opportunity for deeper engagement.”
Additional programme and ticket sales
Details of the precise programming for the World Port Festival Square will be announced soon. A significant portion of the World Port Days programme is already available on the event’s official website.
As usual, most of the events, including the Festival Square, quayside activities, water shows, and the spectacular Saturday evening show, will be free to attend. Ticket sales for excursions, boat trips, and tours will begin on 19 August at 12:00. Tickets for the popular P&O Ferries day cruise are already available, and the sale of official World Port Days merchandise has also commenced.
For more information about the World Port Days, visit wereldhavendagen.nl.
Location and directions
The World Port Festival Square is situated on Rotterdam's Kop van Zuid, between the Cruise Terminal and the World Port Center. This area is easily accessible by public transport, including trams and metro services. Parking facilities are also available nearby, though visitors are encouraged to use public transportation due to expected crowds.
