HAPPENING 24–25 July 2026 | Every summer the streets of Rotterdam are privy to a spectacle which has no equal anywhere else in The Netherlands: the Rotterdam Summer carnival and more specifically, the street parade.
What is Rotterdam Summer Carnival?
In a nutshell, it's the largest Caribbean street party in the Netherlands. The Summer Carnival in Rotterdam is also part of the intangible cultural heritage of the Netherlands. It is of great importance to the cultural identity and social cohesion of the country. The Rotterdam summer carnival street parade first took place in 1984.
Sure, there's carnival in other parts of the country. Such as the carnival celebrations in Brabant and Limburg. However, the Rotterdam summer carnival has a Caribbean flair. It includes many elements from Dutch-Caribbean carnival traditions and could best be compared to the Nottingham Carnival in Britain.
When is the next Rotterdam Summer Carnival?
Rotterdam Unlimited Carnival 2026 will take place on 24 and 25 July in different locations across the city. The festival is mostly free, with after-parties being the only events you need tickets for at the summer carnival.
Rotterdam Unlimited’s programme currently lists these key dates:
Friday 24 July 2026
- Battle of Drums (Coolsingel, time to be announced)
Saturday 25 July 2026
- Mercado festival market (Coolsingel, 12:00 to 20:30)
- Rueda de Casino (Stationsplein, 12:00 to 16:00)
- Zomercarnaval Street Parade (Rotterdam city centre, 12:00 to 19:00)
Expect more timetable updates as the weekend approaches.
Friday 24 July 2026: Battle of Drums on Coolsingel
Battle of Drums is the opening roar. Brass bands gather the city’s attention and pull it towards Coolsingel for a night built around rhythm, rivalry and pure volume. The organiser lists the date and place, with more programme details still to come.
Saturday 25 July 2026: Mercado on Coolsingel
Mercado is the edible heart of the weekend. Along Coolsingel you will find stalls serving dishes from Suriname, the Dutch Caribbean and beyond, plus merchandise and small goods that match the carnival mood. If you are coming hungry, this is your moment.
Saturday 25 July 2026: Rueda de Casino at Stationsplein
If you want to do more than watch, head to Stationsplein by Rotterdam Centraal. Rueda de Casino is a group dance in a circle, rooted in Cuban salsa and built on switching partners on cue. You do not need to register, and it is free. Turn up, follow the calls, and you will pick it up faster than you think.
Saturday 25 July 2026: the Street Parade through the city centre
The main event is the Street Parade: dancers, music trucks, drum bands and costumes that look like they were designed to outshine the sun. It runs through central Rotterdam and brings the city to a standstill in the best possible way.
Route details can shift year to year because Rotterdam is always rebuilding something. We recommend checking the organiser’s latest route map and travel advice before you set out, especially if you are meeting friends at a specific point along the parade.
Rotterdam Unlimited Summer Carnival route
Practical tips before you go
- Come by public transport or bike if you can. Roads and some stops change during the event.
- Pick your viewing spot early if you want space, shade, or an easy exit route.
- Bring water, sunscreen and patience. It gets crowded, loud and joyful all at once.
P.S. Still not sure if you should attend? Have a look at the Rotterdam Unlimited 2024 recap movie:
And here's the Battle of the Drums recap movie from 2024:
