HAPPENING 16 March 2025 | The Persian New Year will be celebrated in Rotterdam with the largest Nowruz market in the Netherlands, offering visitors a unique cultural experience.

Experience the Persian New Year at the largest Nowruz market

On Sunday, 16 March 2025, de Doelen's Willem Burger Hall will host the largest Nowruz market in the Netherlands. The event celebrates the Persian New Year, known as Nowruz, which marks the arrival of spring on 20 March.

What to expect at the Nowruz market

Visitors can explore a variety of Persian products, including traditional delicacies, clothing, decorative items, and unique gifts. The market is designed to provide everything needed to prepare for Nowruz in a festive and authentic way.

In addition to shopping, there will be a dedicated children's programme featuring music, ancient storytelling, and interactive activities that introduce younger visitors to Persian heritage.

Cultural celebration for all ages

The Nowruz market offers an opportunity to connect with Persian culture and discover the traditions surrounding this centuries-old celebration. Visitors can expect a vibrant atmosphere filled with colour and cultural exchange, making it an event suitable for families and individuals alike.

Event details

Date: Sunday, 16 March 2025
Time: 11:00 – 17:00
Location: de Doelen, Willem Burger Hall
Tickets: Standard ticket prices apply, excluding a service fee of €3 or €1.50 per ticket.

How to get there

De Doelen is centrally located in Rotterdam, easily accessible by public transport and within walking distance of Rotterdam Central Station. For those arriving by car, parking facilities are available nearby.

HAPPENING 21–22 May 2025 | At Upstream, the Rotterdam Metropolitan area transforms into a place where startups, scale-ups, investors, corporates, policymakers, and students come together to make a positive impact on the world. Upstream aims to enable innovations that will drive the transition to the next economy; an economy that is digital, carbon-neutral, circular and inclusive.

What is Upstream Rotterdam?

Upstream is a three-day event, co-created with over 40 partners dedicated to supporting the growth of companies committed to accelerating the transition to a future-proof economy that is digital, carbon-neutral, circular, and inclusive. The festival gives its attendees access to an international ecosystem of talent, funding, markets, and exposure opportunities. As changemakers from different backgrounds and industries come together to leverage their innovations, they highlight the position of the Greater Rotterdam Metropolitan Area as a fast-evolving tech environment for businesses to grow.

2 days, 40 co-creators, and countless reasons to join

Every year, Upstream invites the Dutch innovation community, as well as international corporations and investors, resulting in over 45 different events happening throughout the festival. Past editions attracted over 2000 attendees. Every edition of Upstream Festival continues the tradition of aligning its core events around three themes: talent, capital, and growth.

The festival's program is rich with opportunities for networking and learning, featuring a variety of formats such as roundtables, workshops, and keynote speeches. Side events will also play a crucial role, with over 20 different gatherings planned across Rotterdam and neighbouring cities. These events are designed to enhance collaboration and feature discussions on critical topics like capital access, market expansion, and talent acquisition.

Lars Crama at Upstream Festival Rotterdam 📷 Bart Heemskerk

Upstream 2025 details

Upstream Festival 2025 is set to bring together innovators, investors, and entrepreneurs in Rotterdam, with several side events confirmed for 21 and 22 May. These sessions, hosted by various organisations, will take place across multiple locations in the city.

Side events on 21 May

The first day of side events will feature a mix of networking sessions, investor meetups, and unique experiences tailored for startups and business leaders.

• Meet Your Co-Founder – Hosted by YES!Delft in Delft, this session connects entrepreneurs seeking business partners.
• Synergy Gathering – Organised by Unify.energy, this event in Rotterdam Central District explores collaboration in the energy sector.
• CrossFit with Investors – A networking event at CrossFit Wildhearts, combining fitness and business discussions, hosted by Arches Capital & Builders Studio.
• Unconference – An open-format discussion hosted by the Dutch Societal Innovation Hub, with a venue to be announced.
• CEO Dinner – A closed networking dinner for executives, organised by Up!Rotterdam (venue TBA).
• YC Live Upstream Edition – Hosted by Young Creators at StartDock, Rotterdam, offering insights and networking for young entrepreneurs.

Side events on 22 May

The second day will focus on investment opportunities, startup development, and deep tech innovation.

• Hello World – Organised by Tunga, this event (venue TBA) aims to connect tech talent with global opportunities.
• VC Breakfast – A networking breakfast for venture capitalists and entrepreneurs at CIC Rotterdam, hosted by Graduate Entrepreneur.
• Deep Tech Breakfast – Also at CIC Rotterdam, this session by Quantum Leiden & Delft will focus on advancements in deep technology.
• Builders Investor House – Hosted by Builders, this event (venue TBA) will provide insights into startup investments and growth strategies.

For those interested in attending, tickets and further details about the specific events, speakers, and agenda updates are available on the festival's official website.

HAPPENING 16–18 April 2025 | MOMO Festival is one of the best known and most intimate festivals in Rotterdam. The festival brings together multiple forms of art – from music to dance – at different locations in the heart of the city.

MOMO is a festival of contrasts, with the always raucous Rotterdam in the background. Motel Mozaïque (MOMO) takes over Rotterdam again with an art, performance, and music program at special locations in the city. MOMO always delivers a jam-packed program of art, performances, tours, talks, and surprises.

When does the next edition of MOMO Festival take place?

MOMO Festival, celebrating a milestone 26th anniversary, will bring a diverse lineup to Rotterdam from 16 to 18 April 2025. Known for its fusion of art, music, and performance, the festival is set to feature established names alongside emerging talents, with venues across the city hosting a variety of performances and installations. Motel Mozaïque (MOMO) has announced an initial list of artists, promising a broad artistic experience and unique interactions with the urban environment. Tickets are available on the MOMO website.

What is MOMO Festival Rotterdam?

As the original name (Motel Mozaique) implies, MOMO Festival is a mosaic of music, art, and culture. The first edition was held in 2001 and in the two decades since, it has only got bigger and better. The MOMO Festival is held at different locations in Rotterdam's city centre; in theatres, cafés, concert halls, clubs and (former) churches. From daring art performances to unique guided city tours; MOMO is a unique festival that not only brings music to the city, but in a way, also brings the city closer to itself. Past editions of the festival featured up-and-coming superstars such as Luke Sital-Singh and George Ezra. 

MOMO Festival Rotterdam - dates, line-up, event information - Photo by Niek Hage

MOMO Festival's 2026 line-up

Unique venues and creative collaborations

MOMO Festival 2026 will extend across various new and iconic Rotterdam locations.

MOMO Festival Rotterdam - dates, line-up, event information - Photo by Rosa Quist

MOMO Festival official Spotify playlist

Aftermovie: Motel Mozaique Festival

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.