Special Events - RotterdamStyle.com

Agency at Night: Rotterdam’s creative industry opens up

Bryan van Putten Special Events 13 February 2025

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.

Liberation party at Museum Rotterdam during Museumnacht

Bryan van Putten Special Events 07 February 2025

HAPPENING 1 March 2025 – Museum Rotterdam marks 80 years of freedom during Museumnacht010. Visitors can dance to music from past and present while reflecting on the impact of war and liberation.

_{Image credit: Rotterdam City Archives (Stadsarchief Rotterdam), people dancing at the 1945 liberation celebration.}

Liberation party at Museum Rotterdam during Museumnacht

On Saturday, 1 March 2025, Museum Rotterdam ’40-’45 NU will open its doors for a special Museumnacht010 event, dedicated to 80 years of freedom. The evening will immerse visitors in the atmosphere of post-war Rotterdam, celebrating the city's liberation with music, dance, and reflection.

Music and dancing: from 1945 to today

A live band will guide guests through different musical eras, from the jubilant sounds of post-war celebrations to contemporary party beats. Rotterdam-based DJ duo Non de Jus and Rita Lynn will play an uplifting mix of liberation anthems and energetic dance tracks, bringing the spirit of freedom to life on the dance floor.

Freedom messages and alcohol-free mocktails

Beyond dancing, visitors will have the chance to reflect on the meaning of freedom. They can leave a personal message about liberty in the museum or take it into the city to inspire others during their Museumnacht journey. To enhance the 1945 atmosphere, the museum will serve alcohol-free ‘freedom mocktails’ in tribute to the spontaneous celebrations of that time.

Reflecting on freedom and Rotterdam’s wartime past

The event will also offer moments of reflection. Museum Rotterdam ’40-’45 NU’s permanent exhibition tells the story of Rotterdam during and after the Second World War, with personal accounts and historical artefacts. Visitors will gain a deeper appreciation of the city’s resilience and the significance of freedom, both then and now.

Museum Rotterdam and the future

Museum Rotterdam is currently working on developing a new city museum, a space dedicated to preserving and sharing Rotterdam’s heritage. Together with the municipality, efforts are underway to secure a permanent location for this project. Until then, the museum remains active through exhibitions, educational programmes, and city tours.

Location and accessibility

Museum Rotterdam ’40-’45 NU is located in Coolhaven, an area well connected by public transport. The nearest metro station is Coolhaven, and the venue is easily accessible by bicycle or on foot from the city centre.

Graphic Design Fair at Nieuwe Instituut

Bryan van Putten Special Events 31 January 2025

HAPPENING 23 February | Rotterdam's Nieuwe Instituut will host the Graphic Design Fair 2025, an event featuring workshops, talks, and creative showcases as part of the Design Biennale Rotterdam. The fair, themed 'growth' ('groei'), explores the professional development of graphic designers and creators.

^{Image: Graphic Design Fair in 2024. Photo: Isa de Jong.}

Theme: Growth

The Graphic Design Fair 2025 focuses on how designers evolve within their field, presenting opportunities for learning and networking. The programme includes keynote presentations by Onno Blase, Nadie Borggreve, and Freeling Waters, alongside Pecha Kucha sessions from ST-DUO, Motormond Magazine, Guido de Boer, and Studio Salt, Pepper, and Peace.

Visitors can also participate in hands-on workshops. Glitter Studio will lead a session on screen printing patches, Studio Melli will offer insights into Perso-Arabic type design, and Esmée Dros will host a children's workshop, making the event accessible to all ages.

Participants

The fair will bring together a diverse group of designers, from established names to emerging talents. Among the confirmed participants are:

Beautiful Problems
Guido de Boer
Esmée Dros
Bianca Forischi
Maxim de Gilder
Glitter Studio
Droom.Iris & Robin de Haan
Juna Horstman
Sasja Houba
Patrick Hutchinson
Justyna Jaśkiewicz
Zuza Loch
Maravilla Studios
Satomi Minoshima (Washi Futurism)
Judith Montens
MOTORMOND
Papertrail Chaehee Park
Jaime Pechler
Lize Prins
Sophia Reedijk
Jonas Riemersma
Danny Rumbl
Ulghh
Denisa Voláková
ST-DUO
Studio Kansy (Hannah Kansy)
Studio Melli
Studio Salt, Pepper, and Peace

The list is subject to updates, and visitors are encouraged to check the Nieuwe Instituut’s website or social media for the latest programme details.

Visiting information

Admission to the Graphic Design Fair is free, allowing visitors to explore the various booths, presentations, and activities at no cost. However, access to other exhibitions at the Nieuwe Instituut, such as 'The Future of Gardens / Gardens of the Future' ('Tuinen van de toekomst'), requires a regular entrance ticket.

The event is expected to draw a mix of design professionals, students, and enthusiasts, offering a platform for discussion and inspiration within the graphic design community.

Location and directions

The Nieuwe Instituut is located at Museumpark 25, 3015 CB Rotterdam, in the cultural hub of the Museumpark district. The area is home to various museums and green spaces, making it an ideal setting for a creative event. The venue is easily accessible by public transport, with nearby tram and metro stations providing convenient connections.

International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) - event details

Bryan van Putten Special Events 01 February 2025

HAPPENING 30 Jan–9 Feb 2025 | The International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) is one of the largest and most prestigious film festivals in the Netherlands. IFFR is an audience and industry-driven festival during which hundreds of films are screened.

About International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR)

The International Film Festival Rotterdam has been around since 1972. The film festival focuses mostly on recently released fiction, documentary feature films, short films and media art by talented up and coming filmmakers.

It's amazing how far the festival has come. The very first edition of the film festival attracted a whopping 17 people on opening day. In more recent times, the festival attracts over 300,000 attendees. Nowadays, IFFR touts itself being one of the biggest audience and industry-driven celebrations of cinema worldwide. Visitors to IFFR are treated to an official selection consisting of over 500 masterpieces by hundreds of filmmakers hailing from over 50 nations.

An interesting aspect of IFFR is that it actively works to support filmmakers through various means and collaborations such as funding through the Hubert Bals Fund, coaching by Rotterdam Lab as well as distribution via CineMart, an annual co-production market.

IFFR programme 2025

The 54th International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) takes place from 30 January to 9 February 2025, offering a diverse programme that spotlights bold and independent cinema from around the world.

Opening & Closing Films

The festival opens with Fabula, a Dutch crime comedy by Michiel ten Horn, and closes with This City Is a Battlefield, an Indonesian war drama by Mouly Surya.

Competitions

Tiger Competition: Showcasing 14 world premieres from emerging filmmakers, with innovative and daring storytelling.
Big Screen Competition: A bridge between arthouse and mainstream cinema, featuring 14 films appealing to a broad audience.
Tiger Short Competition: Highlighting experimental and thought-provoking short films from global talents.

Special Programmes

Cinema Regained: Celebrating film heritage with restored classics and documentaries on cinema culture.
Ammodo Tiger Short Competition: Dedicated to cutting-edge short films.
Art Directions: Exploring experimental storytelling through immersive and audiovisual projects.
Focus Programmes: Deep dives into specific themes, countries, or filmmakers shaping contemporary cinema.

Industry & Networking

IFFR remains a key industry hub, hosting IFFR Pro Days (1-5 February), including CineMart, Rotterdam Lab, and the launch of the Displacement Film Fund, in partnership with Cate Blanchett.

With over 500 films, talks, and events across multiple Rotterdam venues, IFFR 2025 promises an exciting mix of cinematic discovery, industry innovation, and cultural exchange.

For the latest information, you can also keep an eye on the IFFR website.

GLORY's 'Last Heavyweight Standing' begins in Rotterdam

Bryan van Putten Special Events 29 January 2025

Professional Sports

HAPPENING 5 April 2025 | GLORY Kickboxing has announced the 'Last Heavyweight Standing' tournament, commencing on 5 April at Rotterdam Ahoy. This year-long series will feature 32 heavyweight fighters competing across five events.

_{Photo credit: Maurice van der Meij}

Tournament structure

The tournament will begin with 'GLORY 99: Last Heavyweight Standing' at Rotterdam Ahoy, featuring 16 bouts among 32 international heavyweights. Throughout 2025, participants will engage in qualifying matches, culminating in a final event where the last eight fighters will compete to determine the ultimate victor.

Initial participants announced

At a recent press conference in Amsterdam, the first nine fighters were introduced:

Jamal Ben Saddik (36-9, 29 KO): A former GLORY title contender returning after a three-year hiatus, with notable victories over Rico Verhoeven and Remy Bonjasky.
Bahram Rajabzadeh (70-4, 61 KO): A dynamic fighter who participated in both the Heavyweight and Light Heavyweight Grand Prix events in 2024.
Uku Jurjendal (20-9, 16 KO): An Estonian knockout artist with a perfect finish rate in GLORY and a recent win against Badr Hari.
Rade Opacic (21-6, 16 KO): A Serbian heavyweight making his GLORY debut.
Ahmed Krnjic (13-4, 4 KO): Currently on a nine-fight winning streak, known as 'Bosnian Steel'.
Sofian Laidouni (37-4-1, 18 KO): France's top heavyweight.
Murat 'The Butcher' Aygun (32-4, 8 KO): A Turkish fighter aiming to establish his presence.
Tariq Osaro (26-4-1, 13 KO): A former interim-GLORY heavyweight champion.
Ionut Iancu (30-10, 12 KO): Dubbed 'The Romanian Tank', he made a significant impact in his debut year with GLORY.

Ticket information

'GLORY 99: Last Heavyweight Standing' is scheduled for 5 April at Rotterdam Ahoy. Pre-sale tickets will be available from Monday, 3 February, with general sales starting on Tuesday, 4 February, at 12 pm CET.

Venue details

Rotterdam Ahoy is located in the south of Rotterdam, easily accessible via public transport and major roadways. The venue is known for hosting significant sporting and entertainment events.