HAPPENING 27–29 AUG 2026 | CuliNESSE returns to Nesselande for three late-summer days of live music, food and drinks on the edge of the Zevenhuizerplas. It is one of the few festivals where you can spend the afternoon by the water and still catch major Dutch acts after sunset. 

The 2026 edition takes place on Thursday 27 August, Friday 28 August and Saturday 29 August at Oeverpark Nesselande, by the lake. 

Music line-up for 2026

The festival has announced a full three-day programme, mixing big names with pop, hip hop and party sets across multiple stages. 

Highlights include:

• Thursday 27 August: Acda en de Munnik and Bankzitters (plus acts including Diggy Dex and Daredevils). 
• Friday 28 August: Kensington and Suzan and Freek. 
• Saturday 29 August: DI-RECT and Chef’Special, with additional names across the day such as Antoon, Bente, Kraantje Pappie, The Partysquad, The Dirty Daddies and DJ Erick E. 

Line-ups can change, so check the latest running order on the official programme page before you go.

Food and drink

CuliNESSE bills itself as a culinary music festival, and the food offering is a key part of the night: expect a spread of stalls and festival-friendly dishes alongside bars and drink tokens. 

The full list of participating restaurants and food partners for 2026 is usually published in the build-up to the event. We will keep this page updated as the festival confirms the 2026 culinary line-up. 

Want a sense of the vibe? In previous editions, the festival has worked with well-known Rotterdam and regional names, and it is designed to be welcoming for a broad crowd. 

Tickets and entry rules

Tickets are sold online, with different options for single days and multi-day passes. Kids and youth tickets have specific conditions and are linked to adult tickets, so read the ticket notes carefully before you buy. 

Prices move through phases, but early-bird pricing has recently been advertised around €46 for a day ticket and about €107 for a multi-day pass. Always confirm the current total (including any service costs) in the official ticket shop. 

Directions to CuliNESSE

The entrance is officially listed at Kosboulevard. If you are navigating, use Laan van Dada, Rotterdam Nesselande. By metro: take Rotterdam Metro line B to Nesselande and walk from there. If you live nearby, cycling is one of the easiest ways to arrive. The festival publishes specific accessibility guidance, including parking arrangements for visitors with a disabled parking permit. Check this in advance if you need it. 

HAPPENING 29 AUG 2026 | Anticipation is building as Audio Obscura prepares for its return to the Van Nelle Fabriek in Rotterdam. The event will feature an exciting blend of international and local artists, set against the backdrop of a UNESCO World Heritage site.

When is Audio Obscura Festival Rotterdam 2026?

It’s scheduled for Saturday 29 August 2026, running 12:00 to 23:00. Audio Obscura frames it as a one-day event that takes over multiple parts of the location, rather than a single-stage setup. The lineup will feature a mix of electronic music styles. Expect a carefully curated musical journey in a one-of-a-kind setting.

Continuing a legacy of unique events

Audio Obscura has a strong reputation for hosting events in remarkable venues, having previously transformed locations such as the Euromast, the Concertgebouw, and the bicycle tunnel under the Rijksmuseum into extraordinary party spaces. The festival at the Van Nelle Fabriek continues this tradition, promising a memorable experience for festival-goers. The festival will take place both inside the historic factory and outside under the factory's distinctive diagonal transport bridges. 

A unique venue for music lovers

The Van Nelle Fabriek, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is set to offer a unique backdrop for this festival. This will be the first time the site will be used for a music festival, creating a rare opportunity for visitors to enjoy performances in such a historically and architecturally significant location. The factory’s iconic diagonal transport bridges and its blend of industrial design and modern creativity are expected to provide a distinct atmosphere for the event.

“For the past 10 years, we have conducted an extensive search for a festival site that aligns with our vision. The Van Nelle Factory stands out as an epitome of Dutch architecture, celebrating the cultural heritage of Rotterdam alongside the city's industrial design and creativity. We are incredibly proud to host our inaugural Audio Obscura Festival in Rotterdam at the Van Nelle Factory,” said representatives from Audio Obscura.

Why Van Nelle Fabriek Rotterdam is UNESCO-listed

UNESCO describes the Van Nellefabriek as a 1920s “ideal factory” complex in Spaanse Polder, known for its modern industrial architecture and its extensive use of glass and steel. In plain terms, a UNESCO World Heritage listing is an international designation for places considered to have outstanding value to humanity, with protection handled through an international convention administered by UNESCO. 

How to get tickets for Audio Obscura Festival

Audio Obscura is pushing pre-registration for presale access, rather than listing general ticket sales right away. You can sign up here: https://audio-obscura.com/festival/ 

If you’re planning ahead, keep an eye on the same page for updates on ticket release and any programme details they publish later. 

For what it's worth, Audio Obscura says €3 from your ticket fee goes towards preserving Van Nelle Fabriek as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is presented as a fixed contribution tied to the venue, rather than an optional add-on at checkout. 

How to get to Van Nelle Fabriek

The festival is set at Van Nelle Factory (Van Nelle Fabriek) in Rotterdam, at Van Nelleweg 1, 3044 BC Rotterdam. If you know the area, it’s in Spaanse Polder, north-west of the city centre. Coming by public transport, the venue says you can reach it from Rotterdam Centraal by bus in about 8 minutes, then walk the last stretch. 

HAPPENING 29–30 DEC 2025 | Rotterdam Ahoy is hosting a new two-day winter event on 29 and 30 December, built around a large indoor ice rink, family entertainment and an evening programme with live music and bingo. If you want a festive plan between Christmas and New Year’s, this is one of the bigger indoor options on the calendar. 

What to expect at Winter Wonderland Rotterdam

You walk into a winter village set-up with lights, food stands, photo spots and activities spread around the rink. The idea is simple: skate when you feel like it, wander around when you don’t, and stay for the evening programme if you’re going with friends or colleagues.

The centrepiece is a large ice rink where you can skate throughout the day. Around it, you can expect smaller activities such as winter games and themed “snowball fight” moments, plus places to grab a warm drink and take a few properly wintry photos. Think of it as an indoor alternative to the usual Christmas market vibe, but with skating as the main reason to go.

Taking kids to Winter Wonderland Rotterdam

Going with children? The programme names Woezel & Pip and Bluey & Bingo for shows and meet-and-greets, plus a children’s circus element by Rotjeknor. It’s the kind of set-up where kids can bounce from activity to activity, while you stay close by with a coffee or something warm.

Evening programme: André Hazes and R&B & Pop Bingo

If you’re going later, the tone shifts into “night out” mode. The line-up mentions André Hazes, plus a R&B & Pop Bingo built around big singalong tracks from the 1990s, 2000s and current hits. This is the bit that makes it work for friends and colleagues as much as for families.

Practical information

Dates: 29 and 30 December 2025
Venue: Rotterdam Ahoy
Address: Wilhelminakade 332, 3072 AR Rotterdam, Netherlands
Parking: Paid parking nearby
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
Tickets: https://winterwonderlandrotterdam.nl/tickets/

How to get to Rotterdam Ahoy and what the area is like

Rotterdam Ahoy is located on the south side of the city, in the Ahoy/Zuiderpark area, which is built for large-scale events and is usually straightforward to reach by public transport, bike, or car. If you are coming from the centre, you will typically be travelling south across the river, with the last stretch taking you through an event district with wide roads, clear signage and parking options.

HAPPENING 27 DEC 2025 | Rotterdam will be set up for an evening walking event as the Rotterdam Night Walk returns for its fifth edition. A 5 km and a 10 km route are being offered, with the walk linked to fundraising for Ronald McDonald House Sophia Rotterdam.

The walk is being presented as a winter evening outing that leans on atmosphere rather than speed, with participants encouraged to bring their own lights and decorations. For many locals, it is also being framed as a post-Christmas reset, sometimes described as a “Third Christmas Day” tradition (derde kerstdag), when the city heads outside again after the holidays.

What to expect on the route

Two distances are being scheduled, with staggered start waves from late afternoon into the evening. Earlier “family waves” are being offered on the 5 km route, which is being promoted as the more accessible option for children and mixed groups.

A walking card is being used for participation and is being collected on the day itself at the start and finish area on Plein 1940. It is not being posted in advance, and pick-up is being listed from 15:30, ahead of the first start wave at 16:30.

Why Ronald McDonald House Sophia is being supported

This year’s linked charity is Ronald McDonald House Sophia Rotterdam, which is known for offering families a place to stay close to their child at Erasmus MC Sophia Children’s Hospital. Donations are being built into the registration process as an optional add-on, while separate donations are also being accepted.

The organisers are positioning the benefit as practical rather than symbolic: families who are dealing with hospital stays are being supported by having somewhere nearby to sleep, rest and keep daily life going while their child is being treated.

Event details for listings

The start and finish are being set at Plein 1940, next to the Maritiem Museum, with the organiser listing the address as Leuvehaven 1. Start waves are being spread from 16:30 until 20:30, with the last finishers expected around 22:45.

Tickets are being listed at €20 for the 5 km and €24 for the 10 km for participants aged 12 and over. For ages 6–11, a €3.50 ticket is being listed for both distances, while ages 0–5 are being listed as free. Group registration is being offered from 10 people, and dogs are being allowed on a lead, with a note that not every location on the route may be dog-friendly.

For tickets and more information, visit the official website: https://rotterdamnightwalk.nl/

How to get there

Plein 1940 is being used as a familiar city-centre meeting point, a few minutes on foot from Beurs and the Leuvehaven area, and right beside the Maritiem Museum. The square sits on the edge of the Leuvehaven basin, in a part of town where wide pavements and water views make it easy to gather before heading off along the route. Cycling and public transport are being suggested as the simplest options for reaching the start area.