HAPPENING 13-15 NOV '26 | Museum Rotterdam ’40-’45 NU is preparing to close its doors at Coolhaven after years of sharing Rotterdam's wartime history from the location. Before moving to its new home at Het Steiger, the museum is organising a three-day farewell weekend with free evening admission, music, workshops and activities for children and even their dogs.
Image: Museum Rotterdam. Photo: Joost van der Vleuten
ROTTERDAM, 20 October 2026 - The museum at Coolhaven 375 will welcome visitors for the final time from Friday 13 to Sunday 15 November. The farewell programme offers an opportunity to explore the collection and exhibitions in their familiar setting before the museum closes permanently at 17:00 on Sunday.
Throughout the weekend, visitors can enjoy cake, take pictures in a special photo booth and revisit the exhibitions, which explore the Second World War, the bombing of Rotterdam on 14 May 1940 and the city's reconstruction. The closure marks another step in Museum Rotterdam's transition towards a new city museum at Het Steiger.
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Three days of farewell activities
The weekend begins on Friday 13 November with a special evening opening from 17:00 to 21:00. DJ Bootsy Paul will provide the music, selecting records around the theme of moving house as the museum floor becomes a dancefloor. Visitors can enjoy refreshments, browse the exhibitions and take one last photograph at Coolhaven. Admission is free for everyone during the evening.
On Saturday 14 November, the focus turns to the meaning of home. During a workshop called Thuis (Home), the museum's community curator invites visitors to share what home means to them and contribute ideas for the future city museum. The workshop runs from 14:00 to 16:00, giving participants an opportunity to help shape the museum's next chapter.
Children aged six and over can also join Bobby's Secret Mission, a special activity running from 12:00 to 14:00. Inspired by wartime secret agent Bobby ten Broek, participants follow clues, discover Morse code and make their own Morse code bracelet. Participation is free for children, while accompanying adults pay the regular museum admission fee. Advance registration is required.
The final day, Sunday 15 November, is also the museum's last dog-friendly day at Coolhaven. Visitors can bring their dogs along for the Beestachtige wandeling, a guided walk exploring the surprising roles of animals in Rotterdam's history, art and post-war architecture.
The walk takes place from 13:00 to 14:30, with dogs welcome to join. Afterwards, visitors can have their picture taken together in the museum's photo booth. Regular museum admission applies, while dogs enter free of charge. The museum closes its doors at 17:00.
A new chapter begins at Het Steiger
Although the Coolhaven location is closing, Museum Rotterdam is preparing for its next chapter in the former Steigerkerk in the city centre.
As RotterdamStyle previously reported, the museum officially received the keys to Het Steiger in May 2026. The post-war reconstruction monument, designed by Kraaijvanger Architects, will gradually become the new home of Rotterdam's city museum.
Visitors will get their first opportunity to explore the new location on Friday 18 December 2026, when the pop-up exhibition Opnieuw beginnen (Starting Again) opens to the public.
The exhibition will offer an early introduction to Het Steiger while the wider building continues its transformation. It will be open Tuesday to Sunday from 11:00 to 17:00, with regular admission prices applying.
The opening of this pop-up does not mean the full city museum will be ready in December. Further renovations and preparations are planned for 2027, including the relocation of Museum Rotterdam ’40-’45 NU and the development of new exhibition spaces.
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Practical information
Farewell weekend: Friday 13 to Sunday 15 November 2026
Friday evening: 17:00 to 21:00, free admission
Saturday and Sunday: 11:00 to 17:00, regular admission
Sunday guided walk: 13:00 to 14:30, registration required
Last opening day: Sunday 15 November, closing at 17:00
Location: Museum Rotterdam ’40-’45 NU, Coolhaven 375, Rotterdam
Regular admission: €12.50 for adults, free for children aged 17 and under. Museumkaart and Rotterdampas are accepted.
Tickets and activities: Museum Rotterdam's official programme
How to get there
Museum Rotterdam ’40-’45 NU is located at Coolhaven 375, close to the Coolhaven metro station on lines A, B and C. From the station, the museum is within walking distance.
The museum is also accessible by bicycle, and paid parking is available in the surrounding area.
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