HAPPENING 3–4 OCT 2026 | Weekend van de Wetenschap returns for a nationwide open-doors weekend where science and technology step out from behind closed lab doors. Across the Netherlands, museums, universities, libraries, hospitals, research institutes and companies invite you in to watch demos, join experiments and ask the questions you usually save for documentaries.
Weekend of science returns in October 2026
The next edition of Weekend van de Wetenschap takes place on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 October 2026, in the first full weekend of October. If you joined last year, you were part of a huge national crowd. The organisers say Weekend van de Wetenschap 2025 drew more than 115,000 visitors, with more than 300 organisations delivering around 1,500 activities nationwide.
A rare look behind the scenes
The appeal is simple: places that normally feel off-limits open up, from labs and collections rooms to workshops, test facilities and innovation spaces. You meet researchers and technicians, see tools in action, and get a clearer sense of how scientific work shows up in everyday life.
The event, which is designed to make science and technology more accessible to the general public, involves hundreds of organisations offering hands-on experiences and guided tours.
Netherlands Science Weekend animals
When the 2026 programme will appear
Planning ahead is easy, even if the Rotterdam line-up is not published yet.
- From 1 September 2026: the first activities start appearing on the official programme page.
- On 18 September 2026: the organisers say the complete programme will be online.
Until then, treat any very specific schedules you see elsewhere as provisional.
What to expect in Rotterdam
Rotterdam institutions typically take part, with activities designed for curious kids, teenagers, and adults who want a proper look at how things are done. In previous editions, the city’s science weekend mix has included hands-on workshops, behind the scenes tours, and family-friendly demonstrations.
Once the 2026 listings go live, we will update this page with Rotterdam picks you can actually build your day around.
Netherlands Science Weekend ambassadors2025 Programme and practical details
Rotterdam joins the national Weekend van de Wetenschap with activities across the city on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 October 2025. Many local museums and organizations offer hands‑on workshops, behind‑the‑scenes tours and demonstrations. Below are some highlights you can add to your diary:
Belasting & Douane Museum – customs and tax behind the scenes
The national tax and customs museum on Parklaan opens its doors free of charge for the science weekend. On Saturday visitors can explore the work of Dutch customs officers and forensic investigators. Activities include demonstrations by customs dogs, tours of the Scanbus (a mobile X‑ray unit) and interactions with the Douane Dive Team. The museum’s KidLab lets children conduct simple chemistry experiments, while the GeldLab shows how your spending habits shape your finances. According to the official programme, the “Ontdek en doe mee met de Douane en FIOD” event runs on Sunday 5 October from 11:00 to 17:00, but the demonstrations and workshops described above take place on the Saturday.
Portlantis – science in the harbour
Portlantis, the port‑experience centre on Maasvlakte 2, participates for the first time this year. Their “Proefjes in een echt lab” workshop invites children aged 6–14 to put on a lab coat and discover how chemistry and the port industry go hand in hand. Under supervision, participants mix colourful reactions and learn how various substances behave. The workshop is offered on both days at 11:00, 13:00 and 15:00; each session lasts about 30 minutes, accommodates up to 15 children and can’t be reserved in advance. Admission to the workshop is free with a valid Portlantis ticket. Outside the lab, Portlantis visitors can explore the wider exhibition with augmented reality, VR‑games and the Helios Experience and climb the red stairs for panoramic harbour views.
Natural History Museum – catch the water life
On Sunday 5 October at 14:00, the Natural History Museum (Het Natuurhistorisch) hosts “Vang het waterleven”. Ecologist Wouter Moerland explains how clear water and aquatic plants support animals in ditches and ponds; then he takes participants outside with nets to sample the museum’s water features. The session is suitable for everyone aged six and up and is included with museum admission.
Updates and details will be published on www.weekendvandewetenschap.nl.
Locations and directions
Events will take place in various locations across Rotterdam, including museums, libraries, and technical institutes. Many of these are situated within the city centre or accessible via public transport. Locations will be added to the event website as they are confirmed.
