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 Weekend van de Wetenschap takes place on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 October 2026. The nationwide festival is held during the first full weekend of October. The event is intended to make science and technology more accessible. You may find experiments, demonstrations, workshops, lectures and guided visits, depending on the participating organisation. The 2025 edition attracted 120,000 visitors and included more than 1,500 activities presented by more than 400 organisations across all 12 Dutch provinces.
Confirmed participants in Rotterdam
Several Rotterdam organisations are already listed as participants in the 2026 edition:
- Belasting & Douane Museum
- Erasmus MC
- Erasmus University Rotterdam
- Natuurhistorisch Museum Rotterdam
- Portlantis on Maasvlakte 2
The presence of an organisation on the participant list confirms its involvement, but it does not yet tell you which activities it will offer, whether it will participate on one or both days, or whether booking will be required.
Erasmus University says it plans to open its doors on Sunday 4 October. Its science festival is expected to include workshops and researchers discussing their work, with a particular focus on children aged 8 to 14. Further details have not yet been announced.
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What can you expect?
Weekend van de Wetenschap gives you access to places and people that can otherwise be difficult to encounter. Depending on the venue, you may be able to meet scientists, conduct an experiment, see technical equipment in operation or visit rooms that are normally closed to the public.
The programme covers science in a broad sense, including medicine, nature, technology, engineering, society and the humanities.
Although the festival is open to curious visitors of almost every age, many activities are developed particularly for children aged 8 to 14 visiting with parents or grandparents. Check the age recommendation for each activity before making your plans.
Netherlands Science Weekend animals
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When will the 2026 programme be published?
The first activities are due to appear on the official programme website from 1 September 2026. The organisers say the complete programme will be available from 18 September. Until then, exact times, admission arrangements and activity descriptions should be treated as provisional.
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.
