How does Rotterdam come alive when summer peaks? August 2025 promises warm weather and a calendar filled with sports, film, music and civic progress. Read on to discover the events, exhibitions and city changes awaiting local residents this month.
Warm breezes and mixed skies: what to expect from August weather
August often brings some of the warmest days of the year to Rotterdam, with temperatures frequently above 20 °C and evenings remaining pleasant. However, the city’s proximity to the North Sea and the flat Dutch countryside means breezes are never far away; Rotterdam acts like an open corridor for winds sweeping in from the sea or across the plains, and the wide boulevards and open plazas do little to slow them. Residents should anticipate a mix of sunny spells and occasional rain, so carrying sunscreen and a light waterproof jacket is sensible.
Urban surf contests, historic ships and silent rooftop discos
On 3 August the Red Bull Pool Clash turns RiF010 into a surf arena. Identical artificial waves emphasise style; Dutch champion Stef van Noordennen and Irish surfer Conor Maguire headline alongside local riders. From 6–10 August Veerhaven welcomes the Nao Victoria, a replica of the 16th‑century ship that completed the first circumnavigation. Visitors can explore its four decks; adult tickets cost €8 and children’s tickets €4. Between 13 and 24 August Brutus hosts Roffa Mon Amour, an open‑air film festival with screenings, live cinema and Q&As exploring queer culture, Indonesian cinema and digital worlds. Films start after sunset with English subtitles. On 15 August the Euromast hosts a silent disco on its viewing platform. Participants dance under the stars via wireless headphones; entry is 20:30–21:00 and the 18+ party runs until 01:00.
Exhibitions exploring memory, fashion and identity
The Wild Summer of Art at Brutus, running through 24 August, assembles works by fifty artists around the theme “Traces We Keep” to explore memory and transformation. Community scouts helped select contributors, and the show is open Thursday‑Sunday afternoons. At Kunsthal, Fashion Army (19 July–7 December) exhibits photographs of declassified US Army clothing prototypes from the late 1960s to early 1990s. Curator Matthieu Nicol shows how these utilitarian designs influenced civilian fashion. Also at Kunsthal, the retrospective Leap Year by South Korean artist Haegue Yang runs until 31 August. Spanning three decades, it turns everyday objects into multisensory installations exploring identity, migration and cultural exchange.
Garage rock, post‑punk and electronic festivals
On 1 August Rotown welcomes Dead Ghosts, Canadian garage rockers known for fuzzy psychedelia; local outfit Nospray presents the show, doors open at 21:00 and tickets are €17. On 27 August Australian post‑punk prodigy R.M.F.C. performs at Rotown. Buz Clatworthy’s one‑man project melds frenetic riffs with DEVO‑esque vocals and is supported by Tuff Guac; tickets are €14.50. British duo IDER bring their cinematic harmonies and candid lyrics to Rotown on 28 August. Standing tickets cost €19.50. On 30 August the Rotterdam Rave Festival fills Ahoy with eleven hours of techno and house. Tickets start at €74.50.
Cocktails for a cause and Michelin dining
The Eat & Drink scene offers both social conscience and culinary excellence. Throughout summer The Usual hotel on Westblaak serves Sip With Pride, a limited‑edition cocktail made with Ketel 1 jenever, pink grapefruit soda and strawberry syrup. Half of the €12.50 price supports COC Nederland’s buddy project for LGBTQIA+ asylum seekers. One recent development is the permanent closure of one‑star (Michelin) restaurant Fitzgerald on 13 July 2025. For upscale dining, Rotterdam now counts eight Michelin‑starred restaurants. Two‑star establishments Parkheuvel and Fred showcase refined French cuisine, while FG Restaurant has become known for seafood and playful gin cocktails.
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Subsidies, sustainability and social care in the city
Several municipal initiatives were announced in late July. A €2 million subsidy will help port companies install shore power, so ships can plug in at berth and reduce emissions and noise. Apartment owners’ associations can now claim up to €3 000 per home to insulate buildings thanks to an extended VvE subsidy, and the minimum energy‑label requirement has been scrapped. A joint agenda between the municipality and care organisations aims to prevent and reduce homelessness through targeted outreach and a new shelter for EU migrants. Funding worth €2.5 million supports hydrogen and circular‑economy projects. The city also launched subsidies to improve digital skills and signed a socio‑economic impact deal linking the redesign of Hofplein to job creation.
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Learn to dance or get out and dance
If you feel like dancing, Typical Tropical’s Latin socials run throughout August. On 2 August the LatinXpress party returns to Podium Grounds with two rooms of salsa and bachata. From 4 to 31 August the school offers beginner‑friendly courses at its Schiekade studio. An outdoor fiesta at Stadion Neptunus on 9 August combines workshops with DJ sets, and on 20 August the new Latin Oase invites dancers to a free social at Oase on Marconistraat.
.jpg "Premier Padel P1 in Rotterdam - dates, info, location")
.jpg "Kids fossil hunt at Rotterdam Natural History Museum")
