Rotterdam Festivals lets the city spring to life!
There is always something to enjoy for everyone in Rotterdam. From major, spectacular events to small-scale festivals in your neighbourhood and fun outdoor surprises on the streets of Rotterdam. Rotterdam Festivals helps to make this happen.
Rotterdam Festivals supports and promotes festivals and cultural activities that are in line with the city’s DNA: raw, international and enterprising. In close cooperation with creative culture makers and festival organisers, we make sure that Rotterdam continues to be a fascinating metropolis. This is a city that the citizens of Rotterdam are proud of and visitors really enjoy. We do surveys to find out what the wishes and needs are of the (envisaged) festival audience. We also advise the municipality of Rotterdam about cultural policy and festival policy. This is how we let the city spring to life! By thriving on its energy. By keeping what is good and investing in new cultural events. We are here for every citizen, for every visitor, and for every maker. We are here for Rotterdam.
How it all began
Rotterdam Festivals was founded in 1993 with a mission to make the city more lively and attractive and to coordinate the existing festivals better. A lot has changed in the years that followed. Rotterdam developed as a city and we as Rotterdam Festivals moved along with the changes. Our range of activities has increased tremendously. Now Rotterdam Festivals is not just an organization that puts together the Festival Calendar, but it also supports, promotes, investigates the needs and wishes of the (envisaged) festival audience and advises the municipality of Rotterdam. We achieve excellent results. The Festival Calendar has grown with numerous innovative festivals, from large and spectacular to small-scale and intimate events. The city of Rotterdam is increasingly vibrant.
Rotterdam won an award for being one of the best festival cities in the world in 2010 for the first time. The city was awarded again in 2015 and 2019. The Lonely Planet listed Rotterdam in the top 5 of best cities to visit in 2016.