HAPPENING 25–26 July 2025 | 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 2025 will take place on 25 and 26 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.
This year’s Summer Carnival will be led by Oneal and Celine Rodgers, who were recently crowned King and Queen of Zomercarnaval 2025. The sibling duo earned the title during the official election in Rotterdam and will take centre stage as they lead the iconic parade on 26 July.
Changes in 2025: No concert after the street parade
Rotterdam Unlimited 2024 featured only a street parade, without the usual stage programmes on Friday and Saturday, due to new requirements from the Rotterdam municipality.
The municipality introduced new requirements mandating that stage programmes take place in a secured area with controlled access. Additionally, the street parade was no longer allowed to end at the event location. The need for a secure area added complexity and higher costs, while the restriction on the parade's endpoint disrupted the traditional flow and celebration of the event.
These stipulations complicated the festival’s logistics and planning, making it impossible to organise the stage programmes within the available timeframe. Instead, an extra festive parade took place on 27th July, marking its 40th anniversary and recent UNESCO recognition. Efforts are now focused on planning a full festival for 2025.
Main Rotterdam Summer Carnival dates for 2025
Disclaimer: At present, all we have to go on is that the official dates will be 25 and 26 July 2025. If the Friday events remain on Friday and the Saturday events remain on Saturday, this means the 2025 schedule will likely look as follows:
Friday 25 July: Battle of the drums
After last year’s spectacular anniversary edition at Rotterdam Ahoy, the legendary Battle of Drums is heading back to where it all began—outdoors, on the vibrant Coolsingel! On Friday evening, the city centre will erupt with rhythm, energy and unmistakable Caribbean vibes, as the top three brass bands go head-to-head for the coveted title. Expect an electrifying showdown that only Zomercarnaval can deliver.
Saturday 26 July: Rotterdam summer carnival street parade
The Summer Carnival Street Parade 2025 is scheduled for Saturday, 26th July, from 12:00 to 19:00 in Rotterdam's city centre. The parade starts at 12:00 from Blaak and winds its way along a 5-kilometre route through Rotterdam city centre, ending around 19:00.
This vibrant event features a colourful procession of dancers, music floats, drum bands, and spectacular costumes. Recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the parade covers a 5 km route throughout the city.
The Queen and King lead the parade in the first float
This year’s Summer Carnival will be led by Oneal and Celine Rodgers, who were recently crowned King and Queen of Zomercarnaval 2025. The sibling duo earned the title during the official election in Rotterdam and will take centre stage as they lead the iconic parade on 26 July.
Saturday 26 July: Mercado
De Mercado festival market is the culinary heart of Rotterdam Unlimited Zomercarnaval. Spread across the city, you'll find a rich mix of world cuisines—ranging from Surinamese, Hindustani-Chinese and Antillean, to street food and nutritious full meals. In addition to food stalls, there will also be stands offering merchandise, clothing and trinkets from various cultures.
De Mercado will take place on Saturday 26 July 2025 from 12:00 to 16:00 on Coolsingel.
Want to book a spot at the Rotterdam Unlimited Zomercarnaval festival market?
Applications are now open! Click the button below for more information and to sign up.
Saturday 26 July: Rueda de Casino
The spectacular Rueda de Casino has long been a staple of Rotterdam Unlimited Zomercarnaval. Everyone is welcome to join—no registration required, and it's completely free!
Rueda de Casino is a Cuban group dance where a minimum of three couples dance salsa or son montuno in a circle, exchanging partners on command. The beauty of it? Absolutely anyone can join!
While there’s no fixed choreography, participants need to know certain routines or figures. The leader calls out or signals moves such as enchufla, adios a la hermana, setenta, and dame. The dance usually begins with the move dile que no, and the music is the same as that of salsa.
Rueda de Casino takes plce on Saturday 26 July from 12:00 to 16:00 in front of Rotterdam Centraal Station.
Rotterdam summer carnival street parade route
In general, this is the route. Every so often it changes a little due to construction along the route, so be sure to double-check before making your final plans. The diagram below is from 2023.
route of the rotterdam summer carnival street parade in 2023
Still not sure if you should attend? Have a look at the Rotterdam Unlimited 2024 aftermovie:
And here's the Battle of the Drums aftermovie from 2024:
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