As if you don’t already have enough to do in December, with Sinterklaas, Christmas and New Year’s Eve on the calendar? No, of course not, because in Rotterdam we love events, markets, parties, exhibitions and everything that has to do with fun.
Grab your calendar, because you don’t want to miss this list of Rotterdam events and activities in December.
1. Yayoi Kusama exhibition – Stedelijk Museum Schiedam
Foto: Yayoi Kusama, Facetten van de hedendaagse erotiek, Internationale Galerij Orez 1965, Foto © Marianne Dommisse, Nederlands Fotomuseum. Courtesy 0-INSTITUTE
Take the bike or metro, you’ll be there in no time: Schiedam. And be sure to visit the beautiful Stedelijk Museum in the middle of the shopping area. The building alone is worth it, but the Yayoi Kusama exhibition. The Dutch years 1965-1970 certainly is as well.
The exhibition can be visited from Saturday, September 23, 2023 to Sunday, February 25, 2024. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the Stedelijk Museum Schiedam website.
Address
Hoogstraat 112, 3111 HL Schiedam
2. Green Christmas Market – Trompenburg
On Friday 8, Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 December you will find the Green Christmas Market in Trompenburg Tuinen & Arboretum. This is an intimate Christmas market with local entrepreneurs. Here you can buy sustainable gift items such as plants, flower bulbs and garden decorations. There is also an attractive winter square with terraces where you can enjoy a hot drink.
Address
Honingerdijk 86, 3062 NX Rotterdam
3. My Oma exhibition – Kunstinstituut Melly
The My Oma exhibition at Kunstinstituut Melly can be visited from Friday, December 8, 2023 to Sunday, May 12, 2024. This exhibition project focuses on the role of the grandmother. During the opening weekend, December 8, 9, 10, a number of performances and presentations will take place.
Address
Witte de Withstraat 50, 3012 BR Rotterdam
4. BBQ-Brunch Battle: Saté – Garden of BIRD
Komproeven will host a BBQ Brunch Battle with the theme of satay from 1:00 PM on Sunday, December 10 in the Garden of BIRD.
Franky (Franky’s Culinair) and Nora Pedis (Satay Malaya) compete against each other. He on behalf of Jakarta, Java. She represents Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. There are both meat and vegetarian variants of satay available and tickets cost €25 per person or €80 for 4 people.
Address
Raampoortstraat 24, 3032 AH Rotterdam
5. Vintage aan de Maas Kerstmarkt – OASE
Vintage aan de Maas will be present in OASE this winter with a festive Christmas market. On Sunday, December 10, you can shop for beautiful vintage items for your home and body and plop down on a chair for a snack and a drink. All that for just €2 per person, dogs are free.
Address
Schiehaven 15, 3024 EC Rotterdam
6. Friday Night Live – Kunsthal by Roffa Mon Amour
Foto door Jeroen Musch.
Every third Friday of the month you are welcome in the Kunsthal for good food and drinks, music and performances. And of course a stimulating and inspiring programme with a good dose of art! Each edition a different Rotterdam partner is in charge and all exhibitions are open until 10:00 PM.
On Friday December 15, Roffa Mon Amour will be at the helm and you don’t want to miss it!
Address
Museumpark, Westzeedijk 341, 3015 AA Rotterdam
7. De Plaaggeest – Time is the new space
Will you be dancing at Time is the new space on Saturday, December 23 from 8:00 PM to 3:00 AM? Club evening ‘De Plaaggeest’ sounds mysterious and it is. Put on your crazy suit and sneakers, it’s going to be a blast.
Address
Schiekade 185, 3013 BR Rotterdam
8. The Swan Lake – De Doelen
The Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra will come to De Doelen on Friday 29 and Saturday 30 December for a performance of Swan Lake, suitable for children aged 4 and over.
This world famous has all the elements of a classic fairy tale: an evil wizard, a prince, a girl who turns into a swan… perfect for a magical Christmas performance in a musical palace.
Address
Schouwburgplein 50, 3012 CL Rotterdam
9. BIRD NYE: Love Affair
For those who want to get lost in the music, the happy company and delicious drinks, BIRD opens its doors on Sunday, December 31 for a fantastic New Year’s Eve party.
During BIRD NYE: Love Affair you will dance in room 1 to eighties, nineties and zeroes classics, hosted by Back and Forth. In room 2 it is up to FEEL to fill the space with the best Afro sounds. There is also a silent disco, hosted by BIRD Beats.
The party starts at 11:00 PM and tickets can be purchased via the website.
Address
Raampoortstraat 24, 3032 AH Rotterdam
10. TIKTAK New Years Eve – Maassilo
On Sunday, December 31, you will celebrate New Year’s Eve in the Maassilo in South. Party organization TIKTAK has been going hard & steady for years, so this year they are throwing one big party again, together with you!
For more information, visit the website and get in the right mood.
Address
Maashaven Zuidzijde 1-2, 3081 AE Rotterdam
Whether you want to go for some cozy vintage shopping with hot chocolate in hand, prefer to visit exhibitions to feed your spirit or pound out groovy records at the weekend, you’re in for a treat in December. Rotterdam is never boring!
