Rotterdamse Popweek - 10 days of music events and live shows

HAPPENING 31 OCT–9 NOV 2025 | Rotterdamse Popweek returns for a new edition, placing the city’s live scene in focus across venues large and small. The ten-day programme spans emerging acts, established names and one-off specials curated with local partners.

 

What is Rotterdamse Popweek

Organised by Popunie since 2013, Rotterdamse Popweek is a citywide platform for concerts, showcases and community events. The week links artists, venues and organisers, encouraging audiences to explore new music and lesser-known stages.

In recent editions the project has featured hundreds of acts across more than 100 locations, from intimate rooms to multi-stage nights. The 2025 programme follows this model, with rolling updates as new shows are confirmed.

 

Popweek specials

As in previous years, a set of highlighted events sits alongside the wider listings. The week opens with the Rotterdamse Popkwis (pop quiz) at Grounds. Other flagged specials include a Día de Muertos night with Lo Poloko (Grounds), Uitagenda Rotterdam Podium at Rotterdam Centraal, Plato x Popweek at Plato, Mamarazzi LIVE! at Mamarazzi, Pretty Ugly at Roodkapje, Popronde at multiple venues, Who’s That Girl at WORM, and Baroeg On Tour: Into The Grip Of Winter at SoundVille.

Most events are produced by independent organisers and musicians with a do-it-yourself approach. The festival framework makes space for new concepts and provides visibility across the city’s districts.

 

 

The rolling schedule, venue list and specials are updated on the official site. Timetables often link to ticket pages where required, while free entries simply list start times. Keep an eye on venue and promoter channels for late additions and time changes.

Full programme and updates: https://www.rotterdamsepopweek.nl

 

 

Rotterdamse Popweek is a collaborative platform rather than a single-site festival. Programmers, collectives, bookers and artists propose nights that reflect their corner of the scene. The result is a rolling map of the city’s musical life, from bands and singer-songwriters to club-oriented projects, experimental electronics and cross-disciplinary work.

 

Popunie coordinates the umbrella and spotlights a set of Popweek Specials each year. These highlights often include a kick-off quiz, daytime pop-ups in public spaces, label showcases, and city partners hosting themed bills alongside the core timetable.

 

Getting around and area notes

Most venues cluster around the city centre, West-Kruiskade, Nieuwe Binnenweg and the Schieblock/Rotterdam Centraal area, with additional stages in Noord, West and Zuid. Walking and cycling between stages is typically 5–15 minutes. Trams and metro lines connect longer hops; check RET planners for late services.