HAPPENING 30 OCT–8 NOV '26 | Rotterdamse Popweek returns for its 14th edition, bringing ten days of live music, emerging talent and special performances to venues across Rotterdam. From intimate gigs and underground bands to hip-hop, electronic music and major concerts, the city becomes one big showcase for its diverse music scene.
What is Rotterdamse Popweek?
Organised by Popunie since 2013, Rotterdamse Popweek is an annual celebration of the city's music scene. The festival runs for ten days rather than the usual seven, bringing together musicians, venues, promoters and independent organisers.
Unlike a conventional festival with one central location, Rotterdamse Popweek takes place across the city. Concert halls, clubs, bars, record shops and other unexpected locations become part of a shared programme. You can discover an emerging local band in a small venue one evening and see an internationally established artist the next.
According to Popunie, recent editions have averaged more than 600 acts and 150 events across over 100 locations. Those figures reflect previous editions rather than confirmed totals for 2026, but they give an idea of the scale of this annual celebration.
The 2026 edition runs from Friday 30 October until Sunday 8 November, with performances spanning rock, pop, hip-hop, jazz, soul, electronic music, metal and plenty of sounds that resist easy categorisation.
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Rotterdamse Popweek 2026: programme highlights
Alongside the wider concert programme, Popunie has announced a series of Popweek Specials. These events put particular emphasis on the city's creative community, new music and opportunities for emerging artists.
Friday 30 October: Rotterdamse Popquiz and Madame Jab
The festival begins with the Rotterdamse Popquiz at Café Dox, located inside Nieuwe Luxor Theater. Music lovers can put their knowledge to the test, competing in teams of up to five people. Registration starts at 19:30, and participation is free, although places are limited.
Meanwhile, Rotterdam indie rock band Madame Jab celebrate the release of their debut EP with a concert at MONO. After performing more than 40 shows across four countries, the group return home for a night of guitar-driven music.
Tuesday 3 November: Meet The Pro XL
Rotterdamse Popweek also provides opportunities for musicians working behind the scenes on their careers. At Studio de Bakkerij, Meet The Pro XL #61: The Marketing Mixtape brings music industry professionals together to discuss marketing, branding and artist development.
The evening features a panel discussion, workshops, short consultation sessions and networking opportunities. It is particularly relevant to musicians, bands and independent artists who want to build an audience and understand the business side of music.
Wednesday 4 November: Popunie Unplugged
At de Doelen, Popunie Unplugged #1 presents an unusual musical experiment. Three bands normally associated with louder styles of alternative rock will perform stripped-back, semi-acoustic sets.
No Screaming At Pigeons, thrilled and Fellatio will explore how their music sounds without the usual wall of amplification. The concert takes place in de Doelen's Eduard Flipse Hall.
Friday 6 November: new talent and heavy guitars
Friday offers several Popweek Specials with distinctly different musical directions.
At Grounds, The Academy Showcase presents six Rotterdam artists who have spent the previous six months developing their musical skills through the Music Matters talent programme. Nova, Ebony Winter, Yurist, May Florance, Kyanni and Rèlyanne Carmen will demonstrate what they have learned through live performances.
Meanwhile, New Life Bookings and Popunie bring Roffa Rumble #2 to Weggeefwinkel, featuring heavy local acts including Provisional, Soulbearer, thrilled and Angles Morts.
For metal fans, Rotterdam band Distant celebrate the release of their album Into Despair at Baroeg. The concert also features No Face No Case, Gutrectomy, Changing Tides and Torn From Oblivion.
Saturday 7 November: Popronde Rotterdam
One of the biggest days of Rotterdamse Popweek is Saturday 7 November, when Popronde Rotterdam takes over dozens of locations around the city.
The travelling festival introduces audiences to emerging artists through free performances in music venues, cafés, shops and other spaces. Rotterdam's 2026 programme features more than 80 free performances at 41 listed locations, allowing visitors to discover new music without purchasing a festival ticket.
Popunie's own office also becomes a stage, hosting afternoon performances by MAHA, girlhead, Ontaard and Dracula's Beach Party.
With so many simultaneous performances, it is worth planning a loose route in advance. Our separate Popronde guide provides more information about the programme, participating locations and practical details.
Sunday 8 November: Misha Wong and Kunstbende Gala
The final day of Rotterdamse Popweek continues the festival's emphasis on discovering new talent.
At 12:30, Plato Rotterdam hosts a free in-store performance by Misha Wong, whose music combines contemporary pop with influences from 1990s and 2000s R&B.
Later that afternoon, the Kunstbende Gala takes place at de Doelen, starting at 14:00. Organised by Popunie and Kunstbende, the event brings together young performers and guest artists for an afternoon celebrating creativity and talent development.
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More concerts across Rotterdam
The Popweek Specials are just one part of the programme. Many existing concert nights and music events across Rotterdam also participate in the ten-day festival.
Among the other performances listed for 2026 are Uche Yara at Rotown on 30 October, Metropole Orkest with Fresku at Luxor Theater on 3 November, and Scottish alternative rock band Tanzana at V11 on 4 November.
The variety reflects what makes Rotterdamse Popweek interesting. There is no single musical identity or central stage. Instead, the programme offers a broad picture of the artists, venues and communities that contribute to Rotterdam's musical culture throughout the year.
Is Rotterdamse Popweek free?
There is no single festival ticket covering every event. Each participating organiser sets its own admission conditions, and the programme includes free performances, paid concerts and events requiring advance registration.
The Rotterdamse Popquiz on 30 October is free, although capacity is limited. Popronde Rotterdam on 7 November is also free to attend, making it one of the easiest ways to discover several new artists in a single day.
Other events, including many of the larger concerts and Popweek Specials, require tickets. Prices vary depending on the venue and performance.
We recommend checking the individual event details before setting out, especially when planning to visit several locations in one evening.
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Where to find the full programme
The complete Rotterdamse Popweek programme is available on the official festival website.
Visitors can browse the programme by date, genre and location, making it easier to discover performances that match their interests. The organisers also offer a personal timetable tool through Timegem, allowing you to put together your own selection of events.
Because the programme involves numerous independent organisers and venues, concert times, ticket availability and line-ups may change. Check the official listings for the latest information.
Rotterdamse Popweek in RotterdamAbout the organisers
Rotterdamse Popweek is an initiative of Popunie, the organisation dedicated to supporting and promoting popular music in Rotterdam and South Holland.
Rather than programming the entire festival centrally, Popunie works with musicians, venues, cultural organisations and independent promoters. Many events originate directly from Rotterdam's music community, giving smaller initiatives an opportunity to reach a wider audience.
The Popweek Specials complement this wider programme through collaborations, showcases, professional development events and performances that place local talent in the spotlight.
The festival also provides an opportunity to explore venues that you might otherwise overlook. Small stages, independent spaces and established concert halls all contribute to the city's musical identity.
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Getting around Rotterdamse Popweek
Rotterdamse Popweek takes place at multiple locations rather than a single festival site. Several participating venues are concentrated in and around the city centre, including the areas surrounding Nieuwe Binnenweg, Rotterdam Centraal and the city centre's cultural districts.
Other performances take place further afield, including locations in Rotterdam-West, Rotterdam-Noord and Rotterdam-Zuid.
Walking is practical when visiting nearby venues, while cycling, trams and the metro are useful for longer journeys. Travel times vary considerably, particularly when crossing the Nieuwe Maas.
If you plan to attend several performances, check their addresses and start times before travelling. You may also want to allow extra time for popular performances, as smaller venues can reach capacity.
Rotterdamse Popweek 2026 takes place from 30 October until 8 November. Visit rotterdamsepopweek.nl for the complete programme, venues and ticket information.
