Time to plan our weekend in Rotterdam again! In the weekend from 17 to 20 August there are a lot of fun things to do. Enjoy open-air cinemas, various festivals and parties.
There are many free and affordable options out there, so an empty bank account is no excuse for sitting at home doing nothing.
Plan your summer well ahead and check out these summer events in Rotterdam!
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Roffa Mon Amour – Thursday to Sunday
Wednesday 16 August is the kick-off of the 11th edition of Roffa Mon Amour. Brutus’ space comes alive with film-related events and exciting films.
The screenings take place in the form of an open-air cinema and present stories from both local and international film directors. Watch films from emerging artists, as well as older films that are still relevant today.
The films scheduled for this weekend are:
- Thursday 17 August: Gagaland
- Friday 18 August: 100 Seasons
- Saturday 19 August: Drifter
- Sunday 20 August: Bend it like Beckham
Discover the entire film programme on the Roffa Mon Amour website and get your tickets!
Location
Brutus: Keileweg 10-18, 3029 BS Rotterdam
Smaak van Rotterdam Festival – Thursday to Sunday
This weekend you will experience the very first edition of Smaak van Rotterdam, the four-day festival that celebrates our city’s vibrant and diverse community.
Enjoy a spectacular mix of music, entertainment, creative workshops, delicious food and drinks, while at the same time supporting local entrepreneurs.
At Smaak van Rotterdam you will find an extensive selection of food trucks, wines, cocktails and specialty beers. Everything has been carefully selected by local entrepreneurs and suppliers. Each food truck offers a unique menu that will make your mouth water, with an emphasis on the diverse flavours and culinary delights that characterize our city.
Take part in dance lessons, painting workshops and admire performances by local talent. The festival stage comes to life with emerging musicians and bands from Rotterdam, who show and hear the immense talent of our community.
Smaak van Rotterdam has something for everyone. In addition to fascinating performances and workshops, there are special activities for children, so that they too have an unforgettable experience. From face painting to interactive children’s entertainment, the festival offers endless fun for our youngest visitors.
The entrance to Smaak van Rotterdam is completely free, so that everyone can experience the magic of the festival and enjoy all the beauty that our city has to offer!
Location
Vroesenpark
Wijn Festijn Rotterdam – On Friday and Saturday
Foto door Sean Hitchens.
Are you a wine lover? Then this weekend tip in Rotterdam is for you: Wijn Festijn (wine festival).
On 18 and 19 July, the Grotekerkplein will be transformed into an atmospheric wine festival.
More than a hundred different wines are in the spotlight here, perfectly combined with Burgundian delicacies such as cheese boards, charcuterie, vegetarian dishes and more.
In addition to enjoying all those goodies, you can participate in fun activities, such as a fun game of jeu de boules.
Good to know for all parents: children have free access to the festival! Non-alcoholic drinks are available.
Buy your tickets for the Wijn festijn in advance.
Location
Grotekerkplein
Weekend van de Romantische Muziek – zaterdag en zondag
The Weekend van de Romantische Muziek (Weekend of the Romantic Music) is the meeting place for lovers of classical and romantic music in Het Park. Starting with the enchanting Moonlight concert on Saturday August 19, a fairytale opening salvo.
From 5:30 PM it is possible to eat and drink at one of the many food trucks on the site, after which the support act with New Rotterdam Jazz Orchestra starts at 6:30 PM. At 20:30 PM the main programme kicks off with Club Classique as house ensemble and a selection of internationally renowned soloists from classical to jazz.
On Sunday 20 August it is the Day of Romantic Music. During this event you can enjoy a completely free programme spread over seven stages. Expect classical music with forays into different music streams.
Visit the website of the Weekend van de Romantische Muziek for more information.
Location
Het Park: Kievitslaan 25, 3016 CG Rotterdam
KEILECAFÉ – On Friday and Saturday
There are several parties at Keilecafé this weekend. Keilecafe rightly calls itself a permanent festival where you can celebrate life; a place where you dance the day and night away.
It’s a great place to chill with friends and enjoy drinks, wood oven pizzas and music. There is always a casual atmosphere, which makes you forget that you are in busy Rotterdam.
Entrance is completely free!
Planning this weekend:
- Friday 18 August: YOPO & JUST
- Saturday 19 August: TWISK & LOVEKENS
Location
Keilecafé: Vierhavensstraat 46, 3029 BG Rotterdam
Weelde – on Saturday
Foto door Cedric Veldhuis.
There is always something to experience at Weelde. Wander around from the party bus to the barn, from the pool café to the Zandbar. Be sure to join earlier for a snack at Bar Tutto and a drink at The Rumah.
You are also welcome at Weelde this weekend. On Saturday, August 19 from 5:00 PM to 3:00 AM you can enjoy a fun party as usual.
After more than four years of welcoming Submid, it’s time for the final round before they close out the summer season. Gather your dance buddies for one last Submid on the sandy shores of De Zandbar!
Location
Weelde: Marconistraat 39, 3029 AG Rotterdam
Yoga on Schouwburgplein – on Sunday
Foto door Sophia van den Hoek.
Do you want to start your Sunday completely zen? Then join yoga at Schouwburgplein!
From Sunday 16 July to 17 September you can join yoga for free. The lesson takes place every Sunday from 11.00-12.00 at the Schouwburgplein in Rotterdam.
Stay informed via their Instagram account!
Location
Schouwburgplein
Discover new hotspots
New hotspots open so often, it’s hard to keep up. Do you happen to have time this weekend to explore some of them? Then we have a few tips!
Bakkit
From a young age, Mercedes and Melissa cherished the dream of starting a company together. With Bakkit, this dream has come true! You may have already met Mercedes from her participation in Heel Holland Bakt; she took first place in the tenth season.
In the charming building on the Zwaanhals, Bakkit offers a delicious assortment of baked treats, accompanied by an excellent cup of coffee to enjoy on the spot or to take away.
It is also possible to take your own baking skills to a higher level through workshops and masterclasses.
Morgan & Mees
Morgan & Mees is a new hotel, housed in a beautiful historic building on the Mathenesserlaan. Just like in their first hotel in Amsterdam, guests here are treated to an unforgettable experience with good service, an inspiring environment, good food and comfortable hotel rooms.
The hotel also offers a lot of fun for the people of Rotterdam: a restaurant and bar with an inviting terrace.
You are welcome here seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The menu is diverse and offers something for everyone.
Check out the prices and availability here.
machi machi
machi machi is a new bubble tea shop in Rotterdam. On July 25, machi machi officially opened its doors in Rotterdam.
machi machi is a world famous Taiwanese bubble tea brand known for their high quality bubble tea and their special panna cotta boba.
Eurobrouwers
For this new hotspot we leave Rotterdam and head to Schiedam, where you will find Eurobrouwers. This is Schiedam’s first brewpub and the largest beer garden in the region with a terrace that covers no less than 2000 m2.
Also good to know: every Sunday Eurobrouwers serves Zeeland oysters for one euro, in combination with game beers. This is a nod to the Rotterdam sister of Eurobrouwers, Café Marseille, where every Sunday is oyster day.
Discover even more new hotspots in Rotterdam!
Other fun summer activities in Rotterdam
It’s going to be hot again this weekend! That is why we have listed a number of fun summer activities that are ideal during a hot day.
Go for a swim and cool off!
When it is very hot, a dip in the water is more than welcome. Everywhere in and around Rotterdam you will find both indoor and outdoor swimming pools and even natural swimming pools.
Did you know, for example, that you can swim on the Island of Brienenoord? As soon as you set foot on the island you will discover a beautiful piece of nature. Jump right off the jetty into the water and cool off!
Discover more swimming spots in Rotterdam!
RENT A SLOEP ON THE KRALINGSE PLAS
Surrounded by the Kralingse Bos, this is the place where the Rotterdammers go during a summer day. When the sun shines it is full of people barbecuing, children playing and friends enjoying a drink.
Our tip is to rent a boat and sail around the Kralingse Plas. A quick Google search and you will immediately find several options where you can rent a boat!
GO TO THE BEACH
Since March this year, the metro has been running from Rotterdam to Hoek van Holland Strand station. From Schiedam Centrum, the Hoekse Lijn with metro line B runs directly to the beach.
Nice for a beach day! Bring your own picnic basket full of snacks or go to one of the beach bars to sit back and order food and drinks.
Smaller beaches such as Monster, Nesselande and the Maasvlakte can also be reached by car. But the metro to Hoek van Holland and the train to Den Haag HS followed by the tram to Scheveningen are fine for people who prefer to travel by public transport.
Discover more fun summer activities in Rotterdam!
Those were my tips for coming weekend in Rotterdam. Have fun!
