HAPPENING 28–29 AUG | Buitenplaats Brienenoord will host a two-day festival at the end of August that blends art, music and performance in a tranquil green setting. Visitors will be encouraged to slow down, listen deeply and engage with sensory experiences.

Alle Ruimte festival returns to Buitenplaats Brienenoord

Buitenplaats Brienenoord will once again transform into a site of artistic experimentation and collective reflection during the “Alle Ruimte” (All the Space) festival, taking place on 28 and 29 August 2025. Following the 2024 edition titled “Alle Tijd”, this year’s event continues the tradition of inviting audiences to momentarily disconnect from daily urban pressures and reconnect with themselves, others and nature.

The island, located beneath the Van Brienenoord Bridge in Rotterdam, will serve as the stage for performances ranging from theatre and dance to circus, sound art and installation work. Artists associated with the Buitenplaats community—many of whom may be unfamiliar to the wider public—will be featured across both evenings.

An invitation to listen in new ways

Alle Ruimte asks a central question in response to a world dominated by noise: “What do you hear when it becomes quiet?” Visitors will be guided through an immersive experience, where listening is redefined—not solely with the ears, but with the body and the senses.

The festival aims to create a temporary space where slowness is encouraged and observation becomes an act of participation. From quiet whispers to activating performances, attendees are invited to wander freely and encounter artistic interventions across the natural island landscape.

Shared meals and evening discoveries

Each evening begins at 18:00 with a communal dinner served at long tables in the open air. Following the meal, audiences are free to explore the island’s various corners and engage with the performances as they unfold. The atmosphere is designed to evoke the calm of a local holiday within the city limits.

The experience will combine elements of retreat and discovery, framed by Buitenplaats Brienenoord’s ongoing role as a site for creative research and community collaboration. Positioned as a rehearsal space for future ways of living—with art, nature and each other—the island setting provides the context for shared moments of reflection and movement.

Tickets and practical information

Tickets for Alle Ruimte are now available via the Buitenplaats Brienenoord website. The ticket includes access to all performances and the shared evening meal. Visitors are encouraged to book in advance, as capacity is limited due to the intimate nature of the setting.

More details about the programme and ticket reservations can be found at:
www.buitenplaatsbrienenoord.nl/alle-tijd/over-alle-ruimte

How to get there

Buitenplaats Brienenoord is located on the island beneath the Van Brienenoordbrug in Rotterdam-Zuid. It is accessible via the pedestrian and cyclist bridge from Stadionpark. The area is green and relatively secluded, offering a sharp contrast to the city centre, yet remains reachable in under 30 minutes by bike or public transport from most parts of the city.

UNTIL 23 AUGUST 2025 | A series of rooftop evenings atop the Boijmans Depot invites locals and visitors alike to experience sunset with music, talks and art. The event, called Before Sunset, unfolds across three August weekends, each with a unique atmosphere.

Before Sunset transforms the Boijmans Depot rooftop

The rooftop of the Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam has been temporarily transformed into a venue for a sunset programme known as Before Sunset. Held across three weekends in August, the series combines music, spoken word, performance, and conversation, all set against the city skyline at dusk. The rooftop sessions include drinks and bites curated by restaurant Renilde.

Each weekend features a distinct theme: movement, dialogue, or harmony. The programming is aimed at fostering connection among attendees, as well as with local artists and communities. Tickets are available here (scroll to the bottom).

Three themed weekends of music, talks and performances

Weekend 1 – in-motion x Yardbird

The opening weekend focuses on energy and movement. The programme included a collaboration with Yardbird, bringing dance-centred performances, live music and interactive experiences. The rooftop was reimagined as a dynamic space of rhythm and crowd participation.

Weekend 2 – in-conversation

From 14 to 16 August, the second weekend shifts towards storytelling and discussion. The event features spoken word performances and artist talks, with a spotlight on the Boijmans exhibition The stories we tell. Conversations explore the relevance of contemporary art in society.

Line-up weekend 2

Thursday 14 August
– DJ collective AanTafel! (Lotus, Zena-Rae, Leon)
– Talk: Epifania Queta with Amira Gad (Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen)

Friday 15 August
– Music: ZINEB | Inezgane Records
– Spoken word: Ailen Meester (Dutch) | Damaris (English)

Saturday 16 August
– Sunflowers Radio by Operator
– Music: Naima and Victoria
– Hosts: Andrea and Deniz

Weekend 3 – in-harmony

The final weekend, taking place from 21 to 23 August, centres around community, presence and balance. The programme features Rotterdam-based collectives and artists, with DJ sets, workshops and a live painting performance.

Line-up weekend 3

Thursday 21 August
– DJs: DJ MXM and guests

Friday 22 August
– DJs: Acid Love (studio de zolder) | DJ Klapsalon
– Workshop: Doris Kolpa

Saturday 23 August
– DJs: Sonny Forelli | Ays
– Live painting performance: Daan Koens

Before Sunset Radio streams live from Rotterdam

Those unable to attend in person are able to tune in via Before Sunset Radio, broadcasting live during each evening’s sunset. Hosted by Epifania Queta, the broadcast features music, nightlife tips, cultural highlights and local weather updates. The radio stream is provided by Operator, a Rotterdam-based online station. 

Location and directions

The rooftop of Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen is located in the Museumpark area, a short walk from Rotterdam Centraal station. The surrounding district is home to cultural institutions such as Het Nieuwe Instituut and Kunsthal, with the rooftop offering panoramic views of the city skyline.

HAPPENING 12 SEP 2025 | A poetry evening with an open mic twist will return to Rotterdam South this September. Locals and expats alike are invited to share the stage and their words.

ZuiderWoord returns with open mic poetry evening at Café Dox

The seventh edition of ZuiderWoord (literally “southern word”), an open poetry stage (open poëziepodium), will be held on Friday 12 September 2025 at Café Dox, located within the Nieuwe Luxor Theatre on the Kop van Zuid.

This community-focused evening will once again provide a platform for poets, spoken word artists and anyone with a love for language to perform original work. The open mic format makes this edition particularly welcoming to newcomers, including international residents seeking to connect through poetry.

Open stage for all word artists

While featured performers Michline Plukker and Wim Landuyt will present their work in Dutch, the heart of the evening lies in the open mic segment. Organisers have extended an invitation to all word artists — including expats, amateur poets, and first-time performers — to register for a performance slot.

Host and poet PuurCalvin will guide the evening, encouraging both performers and listeners to participate in what promises to be an eclectic blend of voices and perspectives. Those interested in performing are asked to register in advance via email (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or through social media (@zuiderwoord). Performance slots are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Free and informal setting

The event begins with walk-in at 18:00 and performances start at 18:30. Entry is free, and audience members are not required to register. The informal setting and open invitation are aimed at creating an inclusive atmosphere, particularly suited to those looking to share a new piece, test material, or simply enjoy an evening of local culture.

ZuiderWoord is part of a recurring series that moves across different venues in Rotterdam South four times per year. Future editions are planned for 14 November 2025 at Podium Islemunda and 27 February 2026 at Dokhuis Rotterdam.

Venue and directions

Café Dox is situated at Antoine Platekade 9, part of the Nieuwe Luxor Theatre complex on the Kop van Zuid. The area is easily accessible by public transport, with Wilhelminaplein metro station located nearby. Visitors can also enjoy scenic views of the Maas river and the city skyline in this rapidly developing cultural district.

HAPPENING 20 SEP 2025 | Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen opens its doors to the public for a one-day free event this September. Visitors will be given rare access to the inner workings of the iconic art storage facility.

Free access to Depot during 2025 open day

The Depot of Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen will host a public open day on Saturday, 20 September 2025. From 11.00 to 17.00, the institution invites residents and visitors in Rotterdam to explore the building without charge.

Spread across six floors, the event will offer insight into the behind-the-scenes operations of one of the most recognisable art storage facilities in the world. The open day provides opportunities to see how various artworks and materials are stored, maintained and restored. Guided tours led by depot staff will offer further information about the building’s design, function, and architecture.

A look inside the Depot

Throughout the day, attendees will be able to view hundreds of works from the museum's collection. These will be displayed throughout the building, including dedicated exhibition rooms. Special guides—referred to as depotgidsen—will be present to explain the stories behind the pieces and the structure itself.

Children can take part in an educational programme, while live music and other performances will be held throughout the event.

Activities and highlights

Visitors can participate in various activities scheduled during the open day:

• Join guided tours that explore the building’s architectural features
• Observe demonstrations by professional art handlers on how artworks are packed
• Create a personal “Depot collection cabinet” (Depot-verzamelkabinet)
• View selections from the collection of prints and drawings
• Attend a discussion about a book related to the museum building
• Explore current exhibitions on display

All activities are freely accessible throughout the day.

How to get there

The Depot is located at Museumpark in Rotterdam, adjacent to the future site of Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen. The area is easily accessible by public transport, bicycle, or on foot. The nearest tram and metro stations are within walking distance, and there is also ample bicycle parking in the area.