Looking for Rotterdam events in 2026 and 2027? The coming months bring an international film festival, ATP tennis, a major art fair, ice rinks, exhibitions and one of Europe’s fastest marathons. Below is a verified calendar, with dates taken from the organisers, and some practical thoughts on where to stay when the city fills up.
Winter in Rotterdam: exhibitions, ice and light
Rotterdam slows down a little in winter, but its museums certainly do not. Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen shows the colourful wooden sculptures of pop-art icon Marisol from 9 October 2026 to 29 March 2027. Across the city, Kunsthal Rotterdam presents Signac. Symphony of Colours from 24 October 2026 to 28 February 2027, including Signac’s Le port de Rotterdam from 1907.
Prefer to be outside? Schaatsbaan Rotterdam, a covered and illuminated ice rink, is open from 21 November 2026 to 27 February 2027. From 11 December 2026 to 3 January 2027 the Rotterdamse Warme Winter Weken bring light art and activities to the city centre, and the Rotterdam Night Walk takes place on 27 December 2026.
Source: Rotterdam Partners, “Winter in Rotterdam”.
Winter Wonderland at Rotterdam Ahoy
During the Christmas holidays, Winter Wonderland Rotterdam fills Rotterdam Ahoy from 18 to 30 December 2026, with real ice for skating, a Christmas village, children’s shows every morning and an 18+ evening programme from 20:00. Tickets are sold per day and arrival time, so it pays to plan your visit together with your stay.
Source: Winter Wonderland Rotterdam.
IFFR 2027: eleven days of film
The 56th International Film Festival Rotterdam runs from Thursday 28 January to Sunday 7 February 2027. For industry visitors, the IFFR Pro Days take place from 30 January to 3 February and the CineMart co-production market from 31 January to 3 February. Festival weeks are a classic moment when central Rotterdam accommodation is in high demand, especially for stays of a week or more.
Source: IFFR, Key dates 2027.
ABN AMRO Open 2027: world-class tennis at Ahoy
Straight after IFFR, the 54th ABN AMRO Open takes over Rotterdam Ahoy from 6 to 14 February 2027. The weekend of 6 and 7 February is the qualifying weekend; the main ATP 500 tournament starts on Monday 8 February and the singles final is on Sunday 14 February. The overlap with the final IFFR weekend makes 6–7 February a particularly busy one in the city.
Source: ABN AMRO Open, Tickets & visitors.
Art Rotterdam 2027
Contemporary art collectors and curious visitors meet at Art Rotterdam, held at Rotterdam Ahoy. The fair is open to the public from Friday 19 to Sunday 21 March 2027, 11:00–19:00, with an invitation-only preview and opening on Thursday 18 March. Tickets go on sale online from 1 January 2027.
Source: Art Rotterdam, Practical information.
Looking ahead: spring and summer 2027
- NN Marathon Rotterdam, 10–11 April 2027. The 46th edition, with the marathon on Sunday 11 April and a family programme on Saturday. Read our NN Marathon Rotterdam 2027 stay guide.
- King’s Day, Tuesday 27 April 2027. A national holiday celebrated across the Netherlands; the royal family visits Lelystad this year.
- NN North Sea Jazz Festival, 9–11 July 2027. Three days of jazz, blues, soul, funk and hip-hop at Rotterdam Ahoy.
Sources: NN Marathon Rotterdam, Royal House of the Netherlands, NN North Sea Jazz Festival.
Where to stay for Rotterdam events
Most of these events are either in the city centre or at Rotterdam Ahoy in the south. Alphabet Apartments has furnished apartments in both directions, so you can choose a base that suits your plans:
- City centre (Westersingel, Binnenrotte, Jufferstraat): handy for museums, the Warme Winter Weken, IFFR cinemas and the marathon finish on the Coolsingel.
- South bank (Prins Hendrikkade, Brede Hilledijk): a practical choice when Ahoy is the main reason for your visit.
- Rotterdam Noord (2e Pijnackerstraat, Zwart Janstraat): larger apartments for families and groups, with the centre within easy reach.
Event weeks often mean several nights in a row. Our guide to comparing the full cost of a stay and the Rotterdam arrival checklist help you plan.
Frequently asked questions
When is IFFR 2027?+
The 56th International Film Festival Rotterdam runs from 28 January to 7 February 2027.
When is the ABN AMRO Open 2027?+
The ABN AMRO Open takes place at Rotterdam Ahoy from 6 to 14 February 2027, with the qualifying weekend on 6 and 7 February.
When is Art Rotterdam 2027?+
Art Rotterdam is open to the public at Rotterdam Ahoy from 19 to 21 March 2027.
Where should I stay for events at Rotterdam Ahoy?+
Apartments on the south bank, such as Prins Hendrikkade or Brede Hilledijk, are a practical base for Ahoy. Central apartments suit visitors who also want museums and city-centre events.