HAPPENING 29 May–9 June 2025 | The Rotterdam Rooftop Days, better known in Dutch as 'Rotterdamse Dakendagen,' is an annual event that takes place on the first weekend of June. Reach new heights and stand tall among the skyscrapers as they open their roofs to the public.
Rotterdam Rooftop Days celebrates 10th edition with 10-day event in 2025
Rotterdam Rooftop Days (Rotterdamse Dakendagen) marks its 10th anniversary in 2025 with a special 10-day programme. Taking place between 29 May and 9 June, the event will feature two festival weekends and a range of unique rooftop experiences across the city.
Key rooftop experiences
Rooftop Roetsj at the Maritime Museum
A signature attraction this year is the Rooftop Roetsj, located on the roof of the Maritime Museum. This installation features an exhibition highlighting the interaction between urban water management, green infrastructure, and architectural design. Visitors may conclude their visit by descending via a slide that offers a view over Coolsingel and Leuvehaven. Stair access is also available.
Las Palmas hosts Rethink Rooftops conference
On 6 June, the Las Palmas building will serve as the venue for the Rethink Rooftops conference. This international event brings together urban planners, policymakers, and researchers to discuss rooftop innovation. Topics include legal frameworks for rooftop development, the impact on housing shortages, and examples of best practices from other cities.
Expanded weekend activities
Rooftop encounters (Dakontmoetingen)
On the weekends of 31 May–1 June and 7–8 June, a broad selection of rooftops will host open visits under the theme of 'Dakontmoetingen' (rooftop encounters). These self-paced explorations combine live performances, site-specific art, architecture tours, and urban installations. Each visit lasts 30 to 60 minutes, allowing attendees to visit multiple rooftops throughout the day.
Mini Rooftop Concert at Groot Handelsgebouw
On 31 May, singer and countertenor Arturo den Hartog will perform a blend of classical, Surinamese folk, and jazz influences on the rooftop of Groot Handelsgebouw. The performance adds a musical dimension to the event’s cultural offerings and is open to visitors with valid tickets.
Minigolf and skyline views at De Startmotor
On 7 and 8 June, the rooftop of De Startmotor in the Feijenoord district will be converted into a temporary minigolf course. Visitors are invited to play while enjoying panoramic views of Rotterdam's southern skyline.
Rooftop Film Nights at Las Palmas
As part of the evening programme, Las Palmas will host a series of film screenings, including the action classic Die Hard with a Vengeance, in collaboration with Kino Rotterdam on 8 June. The screenings aim to offer a cinematic experience under the open sky.
Parkour and freerunning at Fenix I
At Fenix I, a rooftop parkour trail curated by Rotterdam-based freerunning collective 010Trickz will be open during the first weekend of June. The installation is suitable for both participants and spectators, with scheduled performances demonstrating the athletic potential of rooftop space.
Botanical rooftop tours
On the roof of the Timmerhuis, guided tours will be conducted focusing on urban greenery and biodiversity. These tours examine how rooftop gardens contribute to ecological balance and temperature regulation in the city.
There's a lot more going on, so be sure to check out the full programme.
New rooftops to explore in 2025
In addition to familiar locations such as the Witte Huis, Maassilo, Delftse Poort, and Van Nelle Factory, several new rooftops will participate this year. Among the new locations:
-
De Nieuwe Boompjes – Offering impressive city views and showcasing how rooftops can contribute to a greener, more innovative Rotterdam.
-
Hoogheemraadschap – Overlooking the Nieuwe Maas, this rooftop highlights water management solutions, sustainability, and climate adaptation.
-
Pameijer Media Department – Housed in a former Heineken building, this rooftop will feature an interactive media experience, with visitors participating in capturing stories using cameras and microphones.
Rooftop Roetsj: slide from the Maritiem Museum roof
A special feature of this year's event is the Rotterdam Rooftop Roetsj, located above the Maritime Museum. Visitors can explore an outdoor exhibition with views over Coolsingel and Leuvehaven, followed by a thrilling descent down a rooftop slide. For those less inclined to slide, stairs will also be available.
The Rooftop Roetsj aims to showcase a futuristic city vision where water, greenery, and architecture merge.
Rotterdam Rooftop Roetsj – © Rotterdamse Dakendagen
Rethink Rooftops: knowledge-sharing for professionals
On Friday 6 June, the event will host the international knowledge day Rethink Rooftops on the rooftop of Las Palmas. This conference will feature keynote speeches, focus sessions, and networking opportunities. Topics will include innovative rooftop usage, the impact of legislation on rooftop developments, and solutions for housing challenges.
About Rotterdam Rooftop Days
The annual Rooftop Days weekend consists of around 60 roofs open for visitors, often accompanied by a guide or featuring music, theatre, or visual arts. During the Rotterdam Rooftop Days, you can visit all these varied roofs throughout the city. As a visitor, you will access lofty spots, where you would normally only find air installations and solar panels, or locations (as on most roofs) where, usually, nothing is happening at all. The rooftop festival programme focuses on creative ways to use these spaces, as the city becomes increasingly crowded and congested. Artists and designers will demonstrate the potential of rooftops to make the city more enjoyable, sustainable, and sociable. Highlights of this edition include various theatre performances, specially created for the rooftop as a stage, with the skyline as a backdrop.
Rotterdam Rooftop Days are part of
Rotterdam Architecture Month. The Rotterdam Rooftop Days encourage exploration and enjoyment of the city's upper levels. Activities are grouped into three main categories:
-
Open Rooftops: These rooftops offer a blend of experiences including exhibitions, performances, and refreshments. A Dakpas (rooftop pass) grants entry to all open rooftops for one day.
-
Guided Tours: These tours, available on the same days as the Open Rooftops, provide a more structured experience with guided visits to rooftops that have a significant story or unique features. The tours are primarily in Dutch and cater to those looking to delve deeper into the city’s architectural and cultural layers.
-
Specials: These events include a diverse array of rooftop happenings, from theatre productions and film
Tickets to Rotterdam Rooftop Days
For ticket sales and routes, visit rotterdamsedakendagen.nl.
Rotterdamse Dakendagen 📷 Frank Hanswijk
Rotterdamse Dakendagen 📷 Frank Hanswijk
Rotterdamse Dakendagen 📷 Frank Hanswijk
Rotterdam Bluegrass Festival timetable for 2025
.jpg "Kids fossil hunt at Rotterdam Natural History Museum")
.png "Unbox surprises at King Colis lost-parcel pop-up Rotterdam")
