HAPPENING 23–24 AUG 2025 | Het Park by the Euromast will host the Weekend of Classical Music on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 August. The event, open to all without charge, will feature a varied programme from small-scale performances to orchestral works with fireworks.
A weekend of music in Rotterdam’s green heart
The Weekend of Classical Music (Weekend van de Klassieke Muziek) will return to Het Park, next to the Euromast, combining several existing Rotterdam traditions. Among them are the long-standing Day of Romantic Music (Dag van de Romantische Muziek) and Sinfonia in the Park. The programme will range from baroque, classical, romantic and contemporary works to styles influenced by world music such as tango and samba. Performances will include both well-known repertoire and recent compositions, staged by musicians from the Netherlands and abroad.
The weekend’s format is designed to make classical music accessible in an informal outdoor setting. On Saturday, visitors may encounter chamber ensembles and intimate recitals scattered across multiple smaller stages, while Sunday will bring a symphonic presence to the park’s open spaces.
Day of Romantic Music Rotterdam 📷 Prisca Visser
Saturday 23 August – Day of Romantic Music
The opening day will see the park arranged into seven stages, each with its own design and character. Visitors will be able to stroll from one to the next, pausing for performances before moving on.
The practice of arriving in romantic dress, complete with period hats, remains a familiar tradition for some regular attendees. Ever wish you could go back in time and have a chat with (or dress up like) Jane Eyre or Elizabeth Bennet? For many regular visitors to the Weekend of Romantic Music, it's a tradition to pay a lot of attention to their (sometimes homemade) romantic outfit. It's not a must, but it sure adds to the general vibe!
Programming on this day will include a variety of genres within and around the classical tradition. The act Callas en Annie M.G. will weave together Dutch-language chansons, bel canto melodies and fictional diary fragments, presenting soprano Maria Callas as a human figure rather than a distant legend. Soprano Donij van Doorn, known from her work with André Rieu, will perform in this piece.
Pianist Mattias Spee will play works by Chopin and Scriabin, and may also present original compositions. The ensemble Petite Fleur will give a concert themed around nature, blending melodic and rhythmic elements into a chamber soundscape inspired by sunlight, wind and blossom.
Across the park, food and drink will be available from stalls and food trucks. Options will range from savoury snacks such as vegan bitterballen and sandwiches, to sweet treats like poffertjes with a choice of toppings. Beverages will include smoothies, fresh juices and coffee prepared by local baristas.
Day of Romantic Music Rotterdam 📷 Prisca Visser
Day of Romantic Music Rotterdam 📷 Prisca Visser
Weekend of Classical Music brings romance & melody to Rotterdam
Sunday 24 August – Sinfonia in het Park
Sunday’s schedule will feature two concerts on the main stage. The afternoon will open with a one-hour family concert at 15:30, designed to engage audiences of all ages. The evening concert, beginning at 20:30, will conclude with a fireworks display over the park.
Both concerts will combine classical repertoire with elements from other genres, including jazz and comedy. The Sinfonia Rotterdam orchestra, under the direction of founder and conductor Conrad van Alphen, will perform alongside both established soloists and emerging musicians. Registration is required for Sunday’s events, which will be accessed via the Kievitslaan entrance.
Weekend of Classical Music brings romance & melody to Rotterdam
Weekend of Classical Music brings romance & melody to Rotterdam
A connection between music and the park
Nienke van Wijk, business manager at Stichting Het Park, noted that for many Rotterdammers, the relationship between the park and music spans decades. In her words, events with music as their main focus, or as part of a broader celebration, have been part of the park’s story for generations.
Background of the events
The Day of Romantic Music began in 1986 with a single small stage and has grown into a familiar fixture in Rotterdam’s summer. It holds the distinction of being one of the city’s longest-running free music events.
Sinfonia in the Park began as a waterfront concert in 2016, staged on a floating platform in the Leuvehaven. Later editions took place at locations including Hotel New York and the SS Rotterdam. The move to Het Park in 2024 marked a new chapter for the orchestra’s aim of offering a cultural gift to the city by making classical music accessible to residents from all backgrounds.
Day of Romantic Music Rotterdam 📷 Prisca Visser
Day of Romantic Music Rotterdam 📷 Prisca Visser
Practical information
- Admission: Free entry on both days
- Saturday – Day of Romantic Music: No registration required; access via any park entrance
- Sunday – Sinfonia in het Park: Registration required for both the family concert and evening performance
- Sunday entrance: Kievitslaan entrance to Het Park
For more information, also check out the official websites:
Location and directions
The Weekend of Classical Music takes place in Het Park at the Euromast; a breathtaking backdrop for classical music as well as delicious food and drinks. Het Park is situated beside the Euromast in the Scheepvaartkwartier. It can be reached on foot from nearby tram and metro stops at Dijkzigt and Coolhaven. Cyclists will find ample racks at multiple entrances, while drivers can make use of paid parking in surrounding streets and garages. Visitors to Sunday’s events are advised to use the Kievitslaan entrance.
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