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.

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.

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.

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 Rotterdam

About 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.

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.

HAPPENING 15 APR '27 | Premier League Darts returns to Rotterdam Ahoy on Thursday 15 April 2027, bringing some of the sport's biggest names to the city for another evening of competitive darts. Dutch player Gian van Veen is among the names being promoted for the event, alongside Luke Littler and Luke Humphries, with thousands of fans expected to fill the arena.

ROTTERDAM, 26 October 2026 - Get your orange shirts ready. The BetMGM Premier League Darts is returning to Rotterdam Ahoy, where the Dutch crowd will once again have the chance to cheer on some of the leading players in professional darts. The Rotterdam event is scheduled as the 11th night of the 2027 competition, which travels through 16 cities before concluding with the play-offs in London.

Premier League Darts has developed a reputation for its lively atmosphere, with fans arriving in fancy dress, singing along to the players' entrance music and celebrating every 180. While the matches are played with considerable concentration on stage, the spectators tend to take a rather less serious approach to their evening.

Gian van Veen, Luke Littler and Luke Humphries in the spotlight

Rotterdam Ahoy is promoting three familiar names ahead of the 2027 edition: Dutch player Gian van Veen and English stars Luke Littler and Luke Humphries.

For Van Veen, the Rotterdam appearance offers an opportunity to play in front of a home crowd. The Dutchman was part of the Premier League line-up in 2026 and is among the players attracting attention ahead of the next season.

Littler returns as the reigning Premier League champion after defeating Humphries 11-10 in a closely contested final at London's O2 Arena in May 2026. It was his second Premier League title, following his first victory in 2024. Humphries, meanwhile, won the competition in 2025 and has faced Littler in three consecutive Premier League finals.

The complete line-up for 2027 has not yet been finalised. The tournament traditionally features eight players, with places determined through the world rankings and selections made by the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC). The final field is expected to be confirmed after the World Darts Championship in January 2027.

How Premier League Darts works

Unlike a conventional tournament held over several consecutive days, Premier League Darts travels to a different city almost every Thursday between February and May.

In recent editions, each regular-season evening has featured a knockout competition with quarter-finals, semi-finals and a final. Players earn points towards the overall league standings, with the top four progressing to Finals Night. The exact 2027 match schedule and player pairings will be announced closer to the competition.

The 2027 season begins in Glasgow on 4 February before visiting cities including Berlin, Dublin, Antwerp, Manchester and Rotterdam. Following Rotterdam's turn on 15 April, the competition continues to Liverpool, Birmingham, Leeds, Aberdeen and Sheffield. Finals Night takes place at London's O2 Arena on Thursday 27 May.

For spectators, the Rotterdam evening offers several matches in a single session, with plenty of opportunities to see high-scoring visits, closely fought finishes and perhaps even a nine-darter. A score of 180, achieved by hitting three triple twenties, remains one of the moments most likely to get the crowd on its feet.

An evening of darts at Rotterdam Ahoy

Rotterdam Ahoy is a regular stop on the Premier League calendar, with Dutch supporters bringing plenty of orange into the stands. The event combines competitive darts with the atmosphere of a large indoor sporting occasion, complete with walk-on music, chanting and spectators in elaborate costumes.

You don't have to follow professional darts every week to enjoy the evening. The basic aim is straightforward: players begin each leg with 501 points and must reduce their score to exactly zero, finishing on a double. The difficulty lies in doing that more consistently than your opponent, particularly when several thousand people are watching.

With the Rotterdam date falling towards the later stages of the league season, the results could also have an important influence on which players qualify for the final play-offs in May.

Tickets and practical information

Date: Thursday 15 April 2027
Venue: Rotterdam Ahoy, Ahoy Arena
Doors open: 18:00
Start: 19:00
Scheduled finish: 23:00
Tickets: From €46, subject to availability
Official tickets: Rotterdam Ahoy Premier League Darts 2027

Tickets went on general sale on Thursday 22 October 2026. Different seating categories are available, with prices depending on the selected section. As the event is still several months away, ticket availability and the final player line-up may change.

How to get to Rotterdam Ahoy

Rotterdam Ahoy is located at Ahoyweg 10 in Rotterdam-Zuid. The easiest way to reach the venue by public transport is via Zuidplein metro station, served by metro lines D and E. From there, it is approximately a five-minute walk to Ahoy.

If you're travelling by car, Ahoy has more than 2,500 parking spaces. A parking ticket with a guaranteed space costs €20 when booked online in advance, while parking on the day costs €21, subject to availability. There is also a free, unguarded bicycle parking area outside the venue.

For travel information, parking arrangements and tickets, visit Rotterdam Ahoy's visitor information page.

HAPPENING 6 NOV '26 | What happens when an art exhibition meets a Friday-night gathering? On 6 November, De Wijnborrel is bringing contemporary art, live creative activities, wine and music to Rotterdam's historic HAKA building. Working with art platform ArtPublicity, the event gives visitors an opportunity to discover emerging artists, meet the people behind the work and even take home an original artwork.

_{Image: Left, Alkan Kartal (Studio Kartal) and right, Joost Pesch}

ROTTERDAM, 28 October 2026 - The industrial HAKA complex in Rotterdam's M4H district will host a different kind of art exhibition on Friday 6 November. Instead of a conventional gallery opening, De Wijnborrel combines a temporary exhibition with music, food and drinks, creating an evening where visitors can move between artworks, live demonstrations and conversations with the artists.

The event begins at 17:00 and continues until midnight. ArtPublicity has selected a group of artists working across painting, sculpture, jewellery and installations, with several presenting work or creating new pieces during the evening.

Art without the traditional gallery setting

De Wijnborrel is a Rotterdam event built around wine, music, food and meeting people. For this edition, contemporary art takes a more prominent role through a collaboration with ArtPublicity, a Rotterdam-based communications agency specialising in arts and culture.

The participating artists will exhibit their work within the industrial surroundings of HAKA. Visitors can browse the exhibition at their own pace, speak with the makers and learn more about the ideas and techniques behind their work.

The programme also includes live artistic activities, making it possible to watch parts of the creative process rather than seeing only finished pieces.

The artworks on display will be available to purchase, adding another dimension to the evening for visitors interested in collecting art or supporting independent makers.

Lina Costea

Ten artists, different approaches

The exhibition brings together ten artists and creative practices, from abstract painting and portraiture to jewellery made with preserved flowers.

Studio Kartal, the artistic practice of Alkan Kartal, presents colourful mixed-media work filled with intricate details and imaginative scenes. Kartal has previously worked on murals, children's book illustrations and live body painting.

Faridae, founded by Farrieda Smit, creates handmade jewellery incorporating preserved real flowers and plants. Her work brings natural materials into wearable designs while exploring themes of individuality and biodiversity.

Lazlo Jacobs, a self-taught artist from Scheveningen, will present Undulart Dark I and Undulart Dark II. His work draws inspiration from the movement of the sea, using undulating forms and reflective surfaces to explore personal experiences of grief and recovery.

Joost Pesch combines realistic details with abstraction, using colour, symbolism and layered compositions. His practice includes both paintings and murals.

Renée Harrems, an Amsterdam-based visual artist, works primarily with oil paint. Her paintings explore intimacy, everyday moments and the emotions associated with personal memories.

Lina Costea creates paintings that move between figurative and abstract imagery. Her compositions use colour and recognisable forms to suggest memories, fleeting experiences and imagined scenes.

Novi is the creative initiative of painter Jolanda Pieters and her daughter-in-law Demi. Its paintings feature earthy colours and western-inspired imagery, with works also available on commission.

Untamed Art, the practice of Christel Schuurman, focuses on expressive portraits. Rather than working exclusively with brushes, Schuurman uses a palette knife to create textured surfaces and strong contrasts in colour.

Lesine Möricke will offer a more personal way to experience the exhibition. The Frisian artist will create live portraits using watercolour and fineliner, working from photographs supplied by visitors. Portraits can be commissioned for an additional fee and collected during the evening at an agreed time.

Leny Maris will present two works investigating light and perception. One uses neon tape to create a light installation near the entrance, while another is a large textile work that incorporates ultraviolet light.

Wine, food and music alongside the art

Although the exhibition is a central part of this edition, De Wijnborrel remains a social event. Visitors can enjoy wine, food and music while exploring the artwork and meeting other guests.

That combination makes the event suitable if you're curious about contemporary art but don't necessarily want to spend the evening quietly moving between gallery walls. You can stop to look at a painting, ask an artist a question or return to the music and drinks.

The organisers describe De Wijnborrel as a meeting place connecting culture and nightlife, with the artistic programme woven into the evening rather than treated as a separate exhibition.

Novi

Inside Rotterdam's historic HAKA building

The venue adds a little architectural history to the experience. HAKA, located on Vierhavensstraat in Rotterdam's Merwe-Vierhavens district, was built in 1931-1932 for the Coöperatieve Groothandelsvereniging De Handelskamer.

Designed by architects Hermann Friedrich Mertens and Jacobus Koeman, the building originally accommodated offices, production facilities and a grain silo. It is associated with the Nieuwe Zakelijkheid, a Dutch architectural movement emphasising functionality and modern construction techniques.

The building has been a listed national monument since 2002.

Following a period of vacancy and temporary use, part of HAKA reopened in 2026 under Dudok's management as a restaurant and events venue. The redevelopment introduced HAKA Urban Bistro and spaces for cultural, business and social gatherings while retaining much of the building's industrial character.

Tickets and practical information

Event: De Wijnborrel, pop-up gallery edition
Date: Friday 6 November 2026
Time: 17:00 to 00:00
Location: HAKA Terrein, Vierhavensstraat 38-40, 3029 BE Rotterdam
Age: 18+
Tickets: €19.85 in advance, including service costs
Programme: Contemporary art, live creative activities, wine, food and music
Tickets and information: De Wijnborrel event and ticket page
Organiser: De Wijnborrel on Instagram

Untamed Art - Christel Schuurman

How to get to HAKA Rotterdam

HAKA is located in Rotterdam's M4H district, near Marconiplein and the Vierhavens area. The nearest metro station is Marconiplein, served by lines A, B and C. From there, HAKA is within walking distance.

Visitors arriving by bicycle can approach the venue via Vierhavensstraat. If you're driving, paid parking is available in the surrounding area, including at Bigshops Rotterdam. Parking conditions and charges should be checked before travelling.

More information about the venue is available through HAKA Events.

HAPPENING 12–15 NOV '26 | Trompenburg Gardens & Arboretum is opening after dark for four evenings of illuminated trees, light art and outdoor activities in Rotterdam's Kralingen district. Trompenburg by Night returns from 12 to 15 November 2026, with glowing pathways, interactive installations, creative workshops and the chance to discover the botanical gardens in an entirely different light.

From Thursday 12 to Sunday 15 November, visitors can explore Trompenburg between 17:00 and 21:00, when selected parts of the gardens will be illuminated. Rather than following a fixed route, you're free to wander between specially lit trees, discover artworks and experience the atmosphere of the gardens after sunset. The four-night programme combines art and nature with activities ranging from lantern-making and painting to guided evening walks and forest bathing.

Light art brings the gardens to life

The 2026 edition features light installations by artists including Rotterdam's Coen den Haan, whose work explores the hidden ways plants communicate beneath the ground. Utrecht-based collective Front404 will bring its projection Ghost Town to the gardens, adding another layer of visual storytelling to the nighttime setting.

Interactive experiences are also part of the programme, including Ben de boom (Be the Tree), which invites visitors to experience a connection with nature through technology and light.

While the artworks add something unusual to the visit, the gardens themselves remain central to the experience. Selected trees and pathways will be illuminated, revealing shapes, branches and textures that often go unnoticed during daylight hours.

Trompenburg emphasises that this is not a fully illuminated walking trail. Only part of the botanical gardens will be lit, and there is no prescribed route or lengthy walking circuit. Visitors can explore at their own pace and spend as much time as they like enjoying the installations and evening atmosphere.

Creative workshops and activities for children

Families can take part in a glow-in-the-dark scavenger hunt, searching for nocturnal animals hidden around the gardens with the help of a blacklight torch. Children who solve the clues can collect a small surprise from garden restaurant Flora. The activity is suitable for ages four to twelve and costs €2.50 per child, available at Flora during all four evenings.

Children can also create their own botanical-themed lanterns before carrying them through the illuminated gardens. The lantern-making workshop is available each evening between 17:00 and 20:00 and costs €9.95 per child, excluding regular garden admission. Advance booking is required.

Adults looking for something creative can join Glow in the Dark Sip & Paint, where participants create fluorescent botanical artwork under blacklight. The sessions begin at 19:00 and cost €22.50 per person, including two drinks but excluding garden admission. Booking in advance is necessary.

For a more reflective experience, Trompenburg is offering guided evening walks with its green guides. These begin at 19:00 on all four evenings and cost €6.75 per person, excluding admission. The guides introduce the illuminated trees and explain more about the garden's botanical collection.

On Friday 13 November, visitors can also join a special moonlight forest-bathing session. Beginning at 19:00, the €32 experience includes a slow, sensory exploration of the garden in darkness and a tea ceremony beneath the night sky. Regular garden admission is charged separately.

There will also be opportunities to warm up with hot chocolate, glühwein and roasted marshmallows, making the evening suitable for visitors who simply want to enjoy a relaxed autumn outing.

Illuminated trees and garden pathways during Trompenburg by Night in Rotterdam.

An alternative to De Grote Schijn in Rotterdam

Trompenburg by Night may be particularly appealing this year because De Grote Schijn will not return to Rotterdam's Kralingse Bos in 2026. After six editions, organisers have confirmed that rising production costs have made another Rotterdam edition financially unviable for now.

Although the two events have different approaches, both offer the opportunity to experience illuminated natural surroundings after dark. De Grote Schijn was known for its elaborate audiovisual production along a dedicated forest route, while Trompenburg by Night is a smaller, more informal experience that combines light art with the botanical gardens and a programme of workshops and activities.

It's therefore a welcome option if you were hoping for an atmospheric evening walk among illuminated trees without leaving Rotterdam this autumn. Trompenburg has its own character, with the added attraction of discovering the plants and landscapes of one of the city's most established botanical collections.

Practical information and tickets

Dates: Thursday 12 to Sunday 15 November 2026

Opening hours: 17:00 to 21:00 each evening

Location: Trompenburg Gardens & Arboretum, Honingerdijk 86, 3062 NX Rotterdam

Regular admission: €12.50 for adults, €6.50 for visitors aged 13 to 25, and €2.50 for children aged 5 to 12. Children aged four and under enter free. Admission is also free with a valid Museumkaart, Rotterdampas or Trompenburg annual pass.

You do not need to reserve a ticket to visit the illuminated gardens. However, additional activities such as Sip & Paint, lantern-making, guided walks and forest bathing require separate payments and, in most cases, advance reservations.

The event and its facilities are accessible to wheelchair users and visitors with pushchairs. Dogs are not permitted, except assistance dogs. Trompenburg also notes that the programme will go ahead in less favourable weather conditions.

For the complete programme and reservations, visit Trompenburg by Night's official event page.

Illuminated trees and garden pathways during Trompenburg by Night in Rotterdam.

How to get there

Trompenburg Gardens & Arboretum is located at Honingerdijk 86 in Rotterdam's Kralingen district, east of the city centre. The gardens are accessible by bicycle and public transport, with metro station Voorschoterlaan within walking distance. If you're travelling by car, parking in the surrounding streets is subject to local parking regulations.