HAPPENING 29 May–9 June 2025 | An exciting rooftop slide will be the highlight of this year's Rotterdamse Dakendagen as the Maritime Museum's rooftop becomes a vibrant attraction for visitors.

Rotterdam Rooftop Roetsj to feature giant slide from Maritime Museum

The 10th edition of the Rotterdamse Dakendagen festival will feature a unique rooftop experience with the Rotterdam Rooftop Roetsj, running from 29 May to 9 June 2025 (closed on 2 and 3 June). The event will focus on the rooftop of the Maritime Museum, offering a creative blend of entertainment and urban exploration.

Visitors can explore an elevated exhibition showcasing ideas for the city of the future, enjoy panoramic views over the Coolsingel and Leuvehaven, and make a thrilling descent down a large slide from the museum’s rooftop. For those less adventurous, a staircase will provide a traditional route back to the ground.

The event also extends to the area around the Maritime Museum, where visitors can explore the museum harbour, admire the Jan Gat sculpture by Zadkine, and relax on a nearby terrace while watching others take the daring slide.

Inspiration behind the project

The Maritime Museum building, which dates back to 1986, is scheduled for renovation in the coming years. As part of this process, the municipality is exploring how the building and its surroundings can better reflect the changing cityscape. One idea involves creating a publicly accessible rooftop with views of both the Rotterdam harbour and the Coolsingel.

The Rotterdamse Dakendagen organisers saw this as an opportunity to test the idea of a rooftop space with the public, while adding an engaging and playful element to the experience.

The Maritime Museum's location holds special significance as a crossroads of the city’s four districts (North, East, South, and West), close to the country's busiest metro station. It also marks the point where the Rotte river transitions underground into the Nieuwe Maas. The rooftop exhibition will explore a vision of future cities where the boundaries between architecture, water, and green spaces increasingly blur.

What to expect on the rooftop

The rooftop will host an engaging exhibition showcasing innovative ideas for integrating green spaces, water features, and buildings in urban environments. The exact content of the exhibition is yet to be revealed, but visitors can expect to gain insights into sustainable city design. The rooftop will also provide impressive views over Rotterdam’s skyline, with a “Venster op de Rivier” (Window on the River) viewpoint — a long-awaited addition that has been on Rotterdam’s urban wishlist since the post-war reconstruction period.

Opening dates and ticket information

The Rotterdam Rooftop Roetsj will be open from Thursday 29 May (Ascension Day) to Monday 9 June (Whit Monday). The slide will be closed on Monday 2 June and Tuesday 3 June.

On weekends (31 May + 1 June and 7 + 8 June), additional rooftop events will take place across the city, expanding the festival's activities.

Ticket sales will open in spring 2025, both online and at the location. Admission prices are yet to be confirmed, but organisers expect costs to be comparable to the previous Rotterdam Rooftop Walk (€3.50), with an added fee for using the slide or zipline.

Accessibility and family information

While the rooftop will generally be accessed via stairs, organisers are exploring lift access for visitors who are unable to use the stairs.

The slide is expected to finish on a pontoon in the Leuvehaven, allowing visitors to return to the quay safely on foot. Children are welcome to join the rooftop experience under adult supervision, with age restrictions for the slide and zipline to be announced later.

How to get there

The Maritime Museum is located in central Rotterdam, easily accessible by public transport, bicycle, or on foot. The museum's surroundings include the bustling Leuvehaven and nearby cultural landmarks.

Address:
Maritime Museum
Leuvehaven 1, 3011 EA Rotterdam

Left of the Dial festival line up (2025)

In March 2025 and additional 12 new acts were announced: 

BODY HORROR // CLASSIC TRUCKS // FELLATIO // FRANCES MURRAY // LOW ISLAND // MAX WINTER // SALVIA // SERVO // STAR CITY // THISTLE. // TOMMY BARLOW // TORBA. 

In May 2025 another batch of artists were added: 

Borscht // Brown Horse // Coilguns // Common Holly // Croíthe // Curser // Delivery Service // GAL GO // Gloin // green star // Hank // Honk // Infinity Knives & Brian Ennals // Mock Media // NO FUN // Roscoe Roscoe // Saint Clair // Search Results // Tendertwin // Venus Tropicaux // ZONBI // Zac Lawrence //

About Left of the Dial

What Left of the Dial sounds like:

Check out the Spotify playlist below and have a listen.

HAPPENING 28-29 March 2025 | Rotterdam's cafés transform into theatres as Café Theater Festival returns in March 2025 with diverse performances across the city.

Café Theater Festival returns to Rotterdam in 2025

The Café Theater Festival (CTF) is set to return to Rotterdam on Friday 28 and Saturday 29 March 2025. As part of a three-city festival taking place in Utrecht, Arnhem, and Rotterdam, the event will feature performances from emerging creators in various hospitality venues. This year’s festival will include a wide range of artistic disciplines, offering a unique cultural experience in everyday locations.

Performances in Rotterdam's iconic neighbourhoods

During the Rotterdam edition, performances will take place in approximately 15 cafés and hospitality venues spread across De Kop van Zuid, Katendrecht, and Afrikaanderwijk. These intimate settings will host a variety of short performances, allowing visitors to experience theatre in unexpected places.

Showcasing emerging talent

Out of over 160 applicants, the festival’s artistic team selected 41 promising creators who are currently preparing site-specific performances designed specifically for the festival. These artists are supported both artistically and professionally by the festival, which aims to act as a platform for emerging talent. Previous notable participants include Janneke de Bijl, Club Lam, and Marco Lopes.

Art without barriers

CTF is committed to making theatre accessible to everyone. By removing traditional entry barriers, the festival encourages audiences to discover performances in casual, familiar settings like pubs, coffee shops, and tea houses. Payments are made afterward following the Pay What You Can principle, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy the experience.

Directions to the festival

The Rotterdam performances will take place in venues across De Kop van Zuid, Katendrecht, and Afrikaanderwijk. These lively neighbourhoods are easily accessible via public transport, with Metro stations such as Wilhelminaplein, Rijnhaven, and Maashaven nearby.

HAPPENING 18 APRIL 2026 | Record Store Day returns to Rotterdam on Saturday 18 April, with exclusive vinyl releases and instore performances at Plaatboef and Plato, while Velvet Music’s two Rotterdam locations also join the citywide celebration.

What is Record Store Day?

Record Store Day (RSD) is an annual event dedicated to celebrating independent record stores and the culture of vinyl music. Originating in 2008, the event was designed to support small music retailers by encouraging music lovers to visit their local stores. On this day, participating stores release exclusive vinyl records, often featuring rare tracks, special editions, or reissues.

In addition to the exclusive releases, Record Store Day is also known for live performances, artist signings, and other in-store events. It's a day where music enthusiasts gather to explore new sounds, connect with fellow collectors, and celebrate the role of independent stores in sustaining local music scenes.

Ilse DeLange is the Dutch ambassador for Record Store Day 2026

Record Store Day 2026 has a clear national figurehead. Ilse DeLange is this year’s Dutch ambassador, giving the event a familiar face and a little more momentum than usual. She is also releasing an exclusive 7-inch single for the occasion, with the first 6,000 customers nationwide receiving a free copy with their purchase while stocks last. The single is a double A-side featuring Get It Right and another song recorded specially for Record Store Day.

Where to go in Rotterdam

Rotterdam has four participating locations listed by Record Store Day this year: Plaatboef, Plato Rotterdam, Velvet Music Rotterdam on Oude Binnenweg and Velvet Music Donner on Coolsingel.

Plaatboef

Plaatboef on Nieuwe Binnenweg 81a is once again part of the action, and its 2026 programme keeps things compact and easy to follow.

Programme for 18 April 2026
12:00 Puntjudith
14:00 KUZKO
15:00 WAAN

Plato Rotterdam

Plato is back in Rotterdam and, for Record Store Day 2026, the shop is listed on Nieuwe Binnenweg 13b, close to Rotown. It has the busiest published programme in the city.

Programme for 18 April 2026
11:00 Extince
12:00 Min Taka
13:00 Kaya
14:00 philine
15:00 WIES
16:00 Lucky Fonz III
17:00 NEP

Velvet Music Rotterdam

Velvet Music on Oude Binnenweg 121a is participating in Record Store Day 2026. At the time of writing, the official RSD page lists the shop but does not show a live programme. That may still change, so it is worth checking the store’s channels before you set out.

Velvet Music Donner

Velvet Music’s Donner location at Coolsingel 129 is also listed as a participating Rotterdam shop. As with the Oude Binnenweg branch, the official Record Store Day page currently shows no artist schedule.

What releases can you expect?

The safest way to approach Record Store Day is not to promise specific stock at specific shops. Allocation varies, and popular items disappear quickly. What we can say is that the Dutch 2026 release list includes hundreds of special titles, with widely noted names such as Bruno Mars, RAYE, Charli XCX and Niall Horan, plus Benelux releases from artists including Eefje de Visser, Golden Earring, Tamino, Eloi Youssef, My Baby and DeWolff.

If you are after something specific, check the official release list in advance and arrive early. Reservations are generally not allowed for Record Store Day titles.

Why this year matters

Record Store Day remains one of those rare events that feels both international and local. Nationally, the Dutch organisers say more than 250 instore performances and signing sessions are planned across the country this year. In Rotterdam, that means you can turn a simple vinyl errand into a small crawl through the Binnenweg and city centre, dipping into shops, browsing limited releases and catching live sets without needing a festival wristband.

Practical tip before you go

Because Record Store Day stock is limited and the most desirable releases go fast, your best bet is to decide in advance which shop matters most to you. Go early, keep your wish list realistic and check the stores’ own pages on the morning itself for any late changes to opening hours or performances.

Locations and directions

Plaatboef

Located at Nieuwe Binnenweg 81A, 3014 GE Rotterdam, Plaatboef is easily accessible via tram and bus services. The Nieuwe Binnenweg is a vibrant area filled with shops, restaurants, and cafes.

Plato

Plato is situated at Nieuwe Binnenweg 13b in Rotterdam, close to popular shopping streets and eateries.

Velvet Music (Oude Binnenweg)

Velvet Music’s main location is at Oude Binnenweg 121A, 3012 JC Rotterdam. The surrounding area is lively with shops and cafes, ideal for spending a relaxed afternoon.

Velvet Music (Donner)

Velvet Music's secondary location inside Donner bookshop is found at Coolsingel 119, 3012 AG Rotterdam, right in the heart of Rotterdam’s shopping district.

Tip: RockArt in Hoek van Holland is worth the detour

If you are happy to look beyond the city centre, RockArt in Hoek van Holland is also taking part in Record Store Day 2026. Officially listed by the organisers at Zekkenstraat 42, the shop forms part of Museum RockArt and brings a slightly different flavour to the day, with music retail sitting alongside a broader love of pop history and memorabilia.

For 18 April 2026, RockArt’s published programme lists philine at 11:00 and Walter Rootsie at 12:00. That makes it a genuine extra stop for anyone turning Record Store Day into a small regional crawl, especially if you want something a little less hectic than the busiest shops in central Rotterdam. It is not in Rotterdam proper, so we would frame it as an optional add-on rather than a core city stop, but it is close enough to deserve a mention.