HAPPENING 17 March | Green outfits and Irish music! St. Patrick's Day is Ireland's national holiday and is characterized as one of the merriest and greenest days of the year. 

When is St. Patrick's Day?

Every March 17, more than 75 million people worldwide commemorate the life of St. Patricius, the patron saint of Ireland. More than 200 countries participate, everywhere with the same traditions. Thus, this national holiday is dominated by the color green, typical Irish food and drink: lamb stew, fish & chips accompanied by a pint of Guinness beer and Irish music. For many in the Netherlands it's a fun opportunity to be Irish for a day: swap Dutch orange for Irish green and celebrate St. Patrick's day just like the Irish. 

A holiday full of traditions

St. Patricius caused the Irish to be converted to Christianity in the fifth century, and at the same time, in the process, the three-leaf clover — a symbol of the holy trinity of the father, the son and the holy spirit — became a national symbol. Many Irish are divided between different parts of the world due to migration. St. Patrick's Day is therefore celebrated around the world today. Both people, cities, monuments, and even rivers turn green for this one day. A lot of Irish music is played, and Irish bands perform. 

Where to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in the Rotterdam area:

The activities that take place in pubs on March 17 can be compared to Koningsdag: party, fun and lots of green instead of orange, although with smaller crowds and in fewer locations. Here are a couple of tips where we think you're sure to have a good time on St. Patrick's Day. 

In Rotterdam

If you're looking for an authentic Irish Pub experience, look no further than Paddy Murphy's. On St. Patrick's Day, Monday, March 17th 2025, Paddy Murphy's has live performances by Petty Kingdom and Bodhi. Another option in Rotterdam, especially popular with university students, is Locus Publicus.

If you can't wait until St. Patrick's day, or dislike going out on Mondays, in 2025, concert venue Annabel is hosting Drunken Dolly's St. Patrick's Day Party on Friday, March 7th.

If you're considering venturing outside of Rotterdam, here's a list of pubs to consider:

• In Dordrecht: The Hideaway
• In Rozenburg: Finnegans
• In Vlaardingen: Irish Pub

What do they traditionally drink?

Besides the colour green, Guinness is also inextricably linked to St. Patrick's Day. As such, both have a rich Irish history. This iconic dark beer is part of Ireland's symbols and culture. Through Irish pubs, the favourite meeting places of the Irish, the black stuff plays an important role in the social life of this country. Consequently, the Irish see Guinness as the embodiment of the holiday. While some 7.5 million pints of Guinness are drunk on any given day, as many as 13 million are drunk on St. Patrick's Day.

HAPPENING 15 March 2025 | Holi-Phagwa, also known as the Festival of Colors, is a Hindu spring festival that is primarily celebrated in India and Nepal. However, it is also celebrated by Hindu communities around the world, including in Rotterdam.

What is Holi?

During the Holi festival, people throw brightly coloured powder at each other and apply it to each other. The differences between religion or origin are no longer visible (since everyone is coloured by all the colours of the powder); societal boundaries between social classes, young and old, rich or poor, disappear. On this one day, all people are equal. Cultural richness, joy, mutual respect, and tolerance make the Holi festival unforgettable every year.

Holi festival in Rotterdam

In Rotterdam, you need to be at the Zuiderpark for the APLNA Holi Colour Sensation event. In addition to powder cannons and food trucks, there are all kinds of cool performances. The entire event is free to attend, and you do not need to arrange an entrance ticket in advance. Moreover, the coloured powder is sold on the festival grounds. 

When is the next APNA Holi Colour Sensation festival?

Rotterdam’s biggest Holi festival is making a grand return with Apna Holi Colour Sensation, promising two days of vibrant celebrations, music, and cultural festivities. The festival kicks off with the traditional Holika Dahan on Thursday, 13 March, followed by the main event, Apna Holi Colour Sensation, on Saturday, 15 March.

This year’s festivities will be opened in spectacular fashion by Selectabeats Showband, setting the stage for an unforgettable experience. With an exciting lineup of artists, Holi cannons, colour powder sales, delicious food, and special activities for children, the event welcomes visitors of all ages to join in the celebrations.

Event details

📅 Thursday, 13 March 2025
📍 Spartapark-Oost, Rotterdam
⏰ 18:00 – 21:00
🪔 Holika Dahan Ceremony

📅 Saturday, 15 March 2025
📍 Zuiderpark, Rotterdam
⏰ 15:00 – 22:00
🎶 Apna Holi Colour Sensation

Admission is free, and the organisers encourage everyone to bring their friends and family to experience the joy and colours of Holi.

Apna Holi Colour Sensation is made possible with the support of Gemeente Rotterdam, Rotterdam Festivals, and the neighbourhood councils of Carnisse-Zuidplein-Zuiderpark, Pendrecht-Zuidwijk, Charlois, and IJsselmonde, as well as AmorFM and other partners.

APNA

For the most accurate information regarding the festival date, it is best to check out the APNA Facebook page. APNA is a social Hindu umbrella organization in the Rotterdam area. They have been committed for many decades to the preservation of social values and cultural diversity. 

Festival location

The annual Holi Colour Sensation festival takes place at Zuiderpark in Rotterdam Zuid. 

HAPPENING 16 MAY 2025 | Rotterdam’s creative industry will once again open its doors to the public as 'Agency at Night' returns for its second edition on 16 May. More than 50 agencies will participate, offering visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the city’s creative and digital sector.

_{Photo credit: Judith Bovelander, Somention}

Second edition of ‘Agency at Night’ in Rotterdam

Following the success of its first edition in 2024, 'Agency at Night' will return to Rotterdam on Friday, 16 May. The event provides an opportunity to explore the city’s creative sector, with 52 digital and creative agencies offering access to their workspaces. The initiative is aimed at prospective clients, industry professionals, students, and anyone interested in the field.

The event includes talks by agency founders, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities. According to organiser Jeroen Wolfs, the goal is to offer a platform that provides insight into the industry. “With Agency at Night, we want to show what happens behind the closed doors of Rotterdam’s agencies. It’s an opportunity to gain new perspectives and see what the future of the creative industry looks like.”

Agency at Night: Rotterdam’s creative industry opens up. Photo credit: Judith Bovelander, Somention

Insight into the creative sector

On the night of the event, Rotterdam will transform into a hub of creativity and innovation. Participating agencies will offer a range of activities, including keynote talks, hands-on workshops, and interactive sessions tailored to different interests.

“Each agency will organise its own programme, allowing visitors to plan their evening based on their preferences,” Wolfs explains. “It will be a dynamic night full of learning, networking, and discovering new trends in the industry.”

Growing participation in 2025

The first edition of 'Agency at Night' in 2024 saw 46 agencies participate, attracting over 4,500 visitors. Organisers noted the enthusiasm and engagement from both agencies and attendees.

“We were surprised by the level of interest last year,” Wolfs says. “Agencies went all out to inspire visitors, and this year, we are aiming to involve even more agencies.” Established names such as DEPT, Fabrique, Somention, and ARA will once again take part, joined by newcomers like iO, Zuiver Groep, and Dapper.

About Agency at Night

'Agency at Night' is an initiative by creative agency Okaia and event organiser Compagnon Events. The event focuses on communication, offering an engaging programme featuring talks, workshops, and more.

Ticket sales will begin on Wednesday, 12 February, when the list of participating agencies will also be announced. The full programme will be revealed in early April. More information can be found at agencyatnight.nl.

HAPPENING 25–26 July 2025 | Every summer the streets of Rotterdam are privy to a spectacle which has no equal anywhere else in The Netherlands: the Rotterdam Summer carnival and more specifically, the street parade.

What is Rotterdam Summer Carnival?

In a nutshell, it's the largest Caribbean street party in the Netherlands. The Summer Carnival in Rotterdam is also part of the intangible cultural heritage of the Netherlands. It is of great importance to the cultural identity and social cohesion of the country. The Rotterdam summer carnival street parade first took place in 1984. 

Sure, there's carnival in other parts of the country. Such as the carnival celebrations in Brabant and Limburg. However, the Rotterdam summer carnival has a Caribbean flair. It includes many elements from Dutch-Caribbean carnival traditions and could best be compared to the Nottingham Carnival in Britain.

When is the next Rotterdam Summer Carnival?

Rotterdam Unlimited Carnival 2025 will take place on 25 and 26 July in different locations across the city. The festival is mostly free, with after-parties being the only events you need tickets for at the summer carnival.

Changes in 2024: No concert after the street parade

Rotterdam Unlimited 2024 featured only a street parade, without the usual stage programmes on Friday and Saturday, due to new requirements from the Rotterdam municipality.

The municipality introduced new requirements mandating that stage programmes take place in a secured area with controlled access. Additionally, the street parade was no longer allowed to end at the event location. The need for a secure area added complexity and higher costs, while the restriction on the parade's endpoint disrupted the traditional flow and celebration of the event.

These stipulations complicated the festival’s logistics and planning, making it impossible to organise the stage programmes within the available timeframe. Instead, an extra festive parade took place on 27th July, marking its 40th anniversary and recent UNESCO recognition. Efforts are now focused on planning a full festival for 2025.

Main Rotterdam Summer Carnival dates for 2025

Disclaimer: At present, all we have to go on is that the official dates will be 25 and 26 July 2025. If the Friday events remain on Friday and the Saturday events remain on Saturday, this means the 2025 schedule will likely look as follows:

Friday 25 July: Battle of the drums

The “Battle of Drums: Anniversary” event will likely take place on 25th July 2025, from 17:00 to 22:00 at Rotterdam Ahoy. This event marks the return of the popular drum competition, featuring spectacular showcases by previous winners like Ritmo Entertainment, TFM Brassband, and The Rhythm Allstar Brassband. In addition to the performances, there will be musical interludes and an outdoor mini-market with terraces. The event is free, but prior registration is required to receive a QR code for entry.

Saturday 26 July: Rotterdam summer carnival street parade

The Summer Carnival Street Parade 2025 is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, 26th July, from 12:00 to 19:00 in Rotterdam's city centre. The starting location is Rotterdam Blaak. This year, the parade will be larger and more diverse than ever, with 43 participating groups.

This vibrant event features a colourful procession of dancers, music floats, drum bands, and spectacular costumes. Recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the parade covers a 5 km route throughout the city.

Queen Larisa and King Gillian will lead the parade in the first float. They will be accompanied by De Havenloods Zomercarnaval princess Inaya. The group Dushi Aventura, winners of Zomercarnaval Curaçao, will follow.

Saturday 26 July: Mercado

The Mercado at Rotterdam Unlimited Zomercarnaval 2025 will probably take place on Saturday, 26th July, from 12:00 to 21:00 across multiple locations in Rotterdam's city centre: Eendrachtsplein, Schouwburgplein, Coolsingel near Koopgoot, and Coolsingel near the city hall. This market features a diverse array of international cuisines, street food, and cultural merchandise. Spaces are 20 m² and include a booth and a power outlet. The market will only proceed if all four locations have sufficient interest by 15th May. 

Saturday 26 July: Rueda de Casino

The “Rueda de Casino” event at Rotterdam Unlimited Summer Carnival 2025 is probably set for Saturday, 26th July, from 12:00 to 16:00 at Stationsplein. This Cuban group dance involves a minimum of three couples dancing salsa or son montuno in a circle, with participants exchanging partners on command. It's a spontaneous dance with specific routines or figures led by a group leader. The event is free, open to everyone. 

Rotterdam summer carnival street parade route

In general, this is the route. Every so often it changes a little due to construction along the route, so be sure to double-check before making your final plans. The diagram below is from 2023.

route of the rotterdam summer carnival street parade in 2023

Still not sure if you should attend? Have a look at the Rotterdam Unlimited 2024 aftermovie:

And here's the Battle of the Drums aftermovie from 2024: