HAPPENING 21 TO 24 OCTOBER 2026 | Left of the Dial returns to Rotterdam with more than 150 emerging artists performing across venues throughout the city centre. The regular festival runs from Thursday 22 to Saturday 24 October. A separate opening night on Wednesday 21 October puts Rotterdam-based artists in the spotlight.
Left of the Dial festival line-up 2026
The full Left of the Dial 2026 line-up has now been announced. The festival ranges widely across alternative music, from indie rock, post-punk and shoegaze to experimental pop, folk, psych, metal and more.
Among the artists appearing in 2026 are Alice Costelloe, Alien Boy, Babe Haven, Gordi, Hyd, Jana Horn, MAQUINA., Oslo Twins, The Sewing Club, Yoo Doo Right, Cordelia Gartside, Nico & Linus, The Paris Match, TOAST CLUB, Twenty One Children and many more.
The final additions were announced in September. Common Holly, who appeared in an earlier version of the programme, has cancelled her performance.
With more than 150 names on the bill, we recommend checking the official Left of the Dial line-up for the complete and most current programme.
A fourth day with Rotterdam artists
Left of the Dial has expanded its 2026 edition with an additional programme on Wednesday 21 October. This opening evening is devoted entirely to Rotterdam-based artists.
The Wednesday line-up features Beige, Doom Fever, Ebby, Fellatio, Leela Rosa, Library Card, Loveth Besamoh, Magasin, Poodle, Smudged, Systeemfalen and thrilled.
The Wednesday programme is not included automatically with ordinary admission. You need both a regular Left of the Dial festival ticket and a separate Wednesday ticket. The organisers currently list the Wednesday event as sold out, with a waiting list available.
About Left of the Dial
Left of the Dial is an annual international showcase festival devoted to emerging alternative artists. Rather than concentrating everything in one festival complex, it spreads performances across venues in central Rotterdam.
One of its distinguishing features is that most programmed artists play more than once. That gives you another opportunity to catch a band when two favourites clash or a room reaches capacity.
For 2026, the organisers have confirmed 26 stages and rooms. Participating venues include Annabel, Arminius, Baanhof, BIRD, Barrio, de Doelen, Rotown, Theater Rotterdam, V11, V2_, Waalse Kerk and WORM, among others.
The festival ticket desk is at Eendrachtsplein, where you can exchange your ticket for a wristband. Accessibility varies considerably between venues, so we recommend checking the festival's current venue information if step-free access or an accessible toilet is important to your visit.
Event details
- Dates: 21 to 24 October 2026
- Regular festival: Thursday 22, Friday 23 and Saturday 24 October
- Wednesday opening: 21 October, separate ticket required
- Venues: 26 stages and rooms across central Rotterdam
- Ticket desk: Eendrachtsplein
- Tickets: Three-day festival passes are currently listed at €79
A regular ticket is a three-day passe-partout covering the participating venues from Thursday through Saturday, subject to venue capacity. Group tickets offer six individual passes for the price of five.
Some festival extras require separate admission. These can include activities such as Bands on a Boat, Bands on a Bus and Dine Like a Star. An add-on does not replace the regular festival ticket.
Ticket availability and individual extras can change as the festival approaches, so check the official Left of the Dial ticket information before booking or travelling.
The Left of the Dial timetable
The 2026 timetable has now been published. You can use the festival website to plan your route between artists and venues, and a downloadable timetable and official festival app are also available.
See the current Left of the Dial timetable for performance times and last-minute programme updates.
What Left of the Dial sounds like
Check out the Spotify playlist below and have a listen.
For the latest programme, venue information, accessibility details and ticket availability, visit the official Left of the Dial website.
