HAPPENING 4–7 SEP 2025 | Oude Westen’s neighbourhood park will become an open-air cinema this September when KINO brings four evenings of outdoor film screenings to the heart of the city. Films will be shown from 4 to 7 September, with gates opening at 19:00 and screenings beginning around 20:30.

Four nights of film in the open air

From Thursday 4 September to Sunday 7 September, Wijkpark Oude Westen will transform into a temporary outdoor cinema (buitenbioscoop). Each evening will feature a different film, with seating provided on site. Drinks will be available from an outdoor bar, and food orders can be placed during the event. The programme is as follows:

• 4 September – All We Imagine as Light (2023)
• 5 September – Police Story (1985), marking its 40th anniversary
• 6 September – Kneecap (2024)
• 7 September – Almost Famous (2000), marking its 25th anniversary

Film highlights

On Thursday 4 September at 20:45, All We Imagine as Light (2023) follows Prabha, a nurse from Mumbai, whose life is unsettled when her estranged husband makes contact again. Alongside her younger flatmate Anu, she escapes the bustle of the city to a coastal town, where personal desires begin to surface.

On Friday 5 September at 21:00, Jackie Chan’s Police Story (1985), marking its 40th anniversary, tells the story of an officer who apprehends a major drug lord, only to be falsely accused of killing a fellow officer. The film blends action with themes of loyalty and justice.

On Saturday 6 September at 21:00, Kneecap (2024) depicts the Irish rap group of the same name, portraying their fight to protect their cultural heritage through music, while also addressing the complexities of fame, identity and politics.

On Sunday 7 September at 20:45, Almost Famous (2000), marking its 25th anniversary, follows a 15-year-old aspiring journalist tasked by Rolling Stone magazine to follow a rock band on tour, leading to encounters that shape his view of music and life.

Event details

The park gates will open each evening at 19:00, with films beginning once daylight fades, around 20:30. The event is supported by Gemeente Rotterdam and various cultural partners.

Location and directions

The event takes place at Wijkpark Oude Westen, a green community space located between West-Kruiskade and Westersingel. The park is accessible on foot from Rotterdam Centraal in about ten minutes, and several tram lines stop nearby.

ROTTERDAM, 7 August 2025 – RTM Stage in Rotterdam Ahoy will host a live R&B concert this December, featuring performances by American acts Joe and Dru Hill. The evening promises a retrospective into the genre's golden era, with contributions from DJ Irwan and Rico Greene.

R&B artists Joe and Dru Hill to perform at Rotterdam Ahoy

American R&B artists Joe and Dru Hill are scheduled to perform at RTM Stage in Rotterdam Ahoy on Tuesday, 16 December 2025. The evening will feature a live performance combining key figures in the R&B genre, including Sisqó, who rose to international prominence with his solo hit Thong Song.

The event marks a rare appearance in the Netherlands for both acts, each with a long-standing presence in R&B and soul music.

Joe to revisit R&B catalogue

Joe, a Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, is known for his distinctive voice and a catalogue of well-known songs including I’m in Luv, If I Was Your Man, and I Wanna Know. Over his career, he has released 13 studio albums.

Though often associated with the early 2000s R&B wave, Joe continues to maintain a steady presence in the genre. His work has been regarded as reflective of the era’s emotional lyricism and smooth production style.

Dru Hill returns to the stage with original line-up

Joining Joe on stage will be the vocal group Dru Hill, including members Sisqó, Nokio, Jazz, Scola, Smoke and Black. Known for blending elements of soul, gospel, and hip-hop, the group will perform tracks such as In My Bed, How Deep Is Your Love, and We’re Not Making Love No More.

Sisqó will also perform several solo tracks, including Thong Song and Unleash the Dragon.

R&B sing-a-long to open the show

The evening will open with an R&B Sing-a-Long segment led by DJ Irwan and singer Rico Greene. The duo will revisit notable R&B hits from the 1980s and 1990s, offering a musical lead-in to the night’s main acts.

Danny Lieuw of Universal Sound Projects, the organiser behind the concert, described the event as a “celebration of music that crosses generations.” He added, “Joe and Dru Hill have each played important roles in the R&B genre, and this concert brings them together for a special occasion.”

Event information

Date: Tuesday, 16 December 2025
Venue: RTM Stage, Rotterdam Ahoy
Doors open: 18:30
Show starts: 19:15
Tickets: Available via Ticketmaster

Directions and location

Rotterdam Ahoy is located in the southern part of the city in the Charlois district. The venue is accessible by metro (Zuidplein station), bus, and by car via the A15 motorway. The RTM Stage is a modern indoor arena within the Ahoy complex, designed for medium to large-scale concerts and performances.

HAPPENING 12-13 August 2025 | Look to the sky in the early hours, and you'll probably catch a glimpse of the Perseid meteor shower. At its peak, expect to see an average of 60 meteors per hour. 

The Perseid meteor shower graces our skies every summer, starting in July and culminating in August. Originating from the Perseus constellation, the number of visible meteors can vary, but the experience is always breathtaking. The Swift-Tuttle comet is responsible for this annual spectacle. As it orbits close to Earth, its debris enters our atmosphere, disintegrating at an altitude of about 100 kilometres. These fragments, often no larger than dust particles, create the brilliant streaks of light we adore as shooting stars.

When to watch the Perseid meteor shower in Rotterdam

The Perseid meteor shower is active from mid-July to late August, with the peak occurring on the night of August 12th into the early hours of August 13th. During this peak, you can expect to see up to 100 meteors per hour under optimal conditions. The best time to view the meteor shower is from midnight to dawn. So, make sure to set your alarm and prepare for a night under the stars.

Where to see the Perseid meteor shower in Rotterdam

While light pollution in urban areas like Rotterdam can obscure the meteor shower, there are still several good spots to catch a glimpse of the Perseids:

• Skiberg in Bergschenhoek: This elevated vantage point offers a clearer view of the night sky away from the city's bright lights.
• Peripheral Parks: Parks on the outskirts of Rotterdam, such as Kralingse Bos or Het Park, can provide less obstructed views.

Urban areas, with their abundant light pollution, can sometimes obscure the meteor shower. For an unobstructed view, consider traveling to provinces like Drenthe, Friesland, or the Wadden islands.

Tips for a great viewing experience

Consider bringing a reclining chair or a blanket so you can lie back and enjoy the sky without straining your neck. Moreover, even in August, nights can get chilly, so bring warm blankets and dress in layers. Don't forget to pack some refreshments to keep you comfortable during the night. At first, allow your eyes to adjust to the darkness for about 30 minutes to see the meteors more clearly, and do your best to avoid looking at your phone or any other bright lights.

If you can't quite picture it, check out this news report of a previous meteor shower, as experienced from the Skiberg. 

HAPPENING 30–31 AUG 2025 | A traditional Chinese celebration focused on love, craftsmanship and cultural heritage will be held at Wereldmuseum Rotterdam at the end of August. Visitors of all ages are invited to take part in creative workshops and guided tours inspired by the Qixi Festival.

_{Image: Paper magpie with love letter – Qixi 2024. Photo credit: Hoi-Shan Mak}

Qixi festival brings Chinese folklore and craftsmanship to Rotterdam

The Wereldmuseum Rotterdam will mark the closing weekend of its Made in China exhibition with a series of workshops and activities inspired by Qixi (七夕节), often referred to as the Chinese Valentine's Day. The event takes place on Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 August 2025 and includes free workshops, cultural sessions and guided tours, all included with a museum ticket.

Qixi, rooted in a centuries-old love story between the weaver girl Zhinü and the cowherd Niulang, is traditionally a moment when women displayed their craftsmanship. In Rotterdam, the event becomes an opportunity for residents and visitors to experience elements of Chinese folk art, from weaving and flower-making to tea ceremonies and decorative knots.

Hands-on activities throughout the museum

Children and families can join the “Superstraat” zone for an all-day programme from 11:00 to 16:30, where they will make and launch ‘magpie wishes’—paper crafts symbolising the birds said to form a celestial bridge for the legendary lovers. Language: Not specified (likely Dutch & non-verbal, suitable for all ages)

In the museum’s atelier, artist Hoi-Shan Mak will lead a weaving workshop inspired by the heavenly princess Zhinü. Participants will use strips of paper to create symbolic paper magpies in homage to traditional Xiqi weaving. Language: likely Dutch.

Paper flowers and symbolic knots in the salon

Adults can participate in a Ronghua flower-making session on both days. Ronghua (绒花) refers to the art of crafting velvety silk flowers, once used as hair and hat decorations in imperial China. Language: English and Chinese. Workshops will be held on the first floor (Salon) at 11:30 and 14:00 on Saturday, and at 14:00 on Sunday.

Also in the Salon, Lili Zhou will guide visitors aged 10 and above through the process of creating Chinese “lucky knots,” decorative knots symbolising harmony and good fortune. Language: English. Start times will be announced later.

Chinese tea ceremony and cultural exchange

The museum café will host a traditional Gong Fu Cha (功夫茶) tea ceremony on Saturday. Led by Fenmei Hu, the session invites adults to experience the mindful and social elements of traditional Chinese tea culture. Language: English. Sessions take place at 11:30, 13:00 and 14:30.

Discover Chinese paper-cutting traditions

In another workshop held in the Salon from 11:30 to 16:30, attendees can explore the intricate craft of Chinese paper-cutting. This ancient art form involves crafting red paper decorations symbolising happiness and prosperity. Language: English.

Free tours and interactive art-making

The Made in China exhibition will be complemented by English-language guided tours from 13:00 to 14:00 on both days. Museum educators will share insights into traditional Chinese crafts such as lacquer work, embroidery and ink painting, as well as contemporary interpretations by artists such as Cao Fei, Ma Ke and Yang Yongliang. From 14:15 to 16:00, visitors can join a hands-on session focused on the art of copying. Language: English.

Guided tours in Chinese

Free Chinese-language tours of the Made in China exhibition will be offered on both days at 12:00 and 14:00. These tours are limited to 10 participants and require registration via email or social media. Language: Chinese.

How to get there

The Wereldmuseum is located at Willemskade 25 in central Rotterdam, a short walk from the Erasmus Bridge and easily accessible by metro, tram and water taxi. The area is known for its cultural institutions and views of the river.