Rotterdam Old Harbour Summer Festival
Rotterdam Old Harbour Summer Festival is the very atmospheric, outdoor cultural one-day festival in one of the most beautiful neighbourhoods in Rotterdam, the Old Harbour (Oude Haven), with its antique buildings and its intact historic ships. Part of the maritime district of Rotterdam, the Old Harbour is a popular place for locals, students, tourists and expats to meet and mingle and sit at terrace bars.
Old Harbour Summer Festival activities
Headlining this year's music line-up is Ellen ten Damme. You'll also hear the sounds of Eline Mann, Banana Savannah, Supermoon, Willemijn de Boer and Oliver Pesch.
Here’s an overview of what you can expect to find at the festival:
- Concert stages with live music and cabaret, both at street level and in the “Rooftop Xperience”
- A record store inside a vintage bus
- Listening booths
- Guided tours
- Jukeboxes
- Face-painting
- Funfair rides
- Game areas dedicated to playing marbles and other games
- A mini pop-up museum called “Secrets of the Water City”
- Water-walking balls
Great food at the Old Harbour
As well as the food trucks and stalls selling incredible tastes and treats, you can also take advantage of the high-quality eateries situated at the Old Harbour. Check out places like Dutch Maritime Pub, 91Spices, Vader Kleinjan, MOOII, Pardoen, Stockholm, Social Club Rotterdam, Apartt, Popocatecatepetl, and Meat Rotterdam.
Interesting buildings in Rotterdam
Not far from the hustle and bustle of the festival, you’ll find some of the most interesting buildings in Rotterdam, namely the Cube Houses and the Market Hall. Europe’s first ever skyscraper, the White House (Witte Huis) provides the backdrop to the event.
Plan your visit to the Old Harbour Summer Festival
Check out the festival website for updated information about the programme. You can reach the beautiful Old Harbour area easily using public transportation. You can arrive by metro or train to Rotterdam Blaak station, or you can even arrive by water taxi. If you are cycling to the harbour, there is a large bicycle park at Blaak station, too.