Party at Rotterdam Unlimited Summer Carnival

The biggest free street festival in Europe and the largest Caribbean street party in the Netherlands happens every summer in Rotterdam and is called Rotterdam Unlimited. The festival consists of music battles, parades, live music, dance, and much more. Rotterdam Unlimited is the result of a merger in 2013 of two popular Rotterdam festivals: Summer Carnival and Dunya festival, bringing together a massive street party and a performing arts festival with world music, storytellers and poets. The five-day festival is a not to miss event in Rotterdam.

Rotterdam Summer Carnival parade

In 2024, Rotterdam Unlimited takes place from 23 till 27 July and consists of a multitude of events, including concerts and events leading up to the big Summer Carnival Rotterdam. The carnival events start earlier in the month, with the Royalty Election on 6 July. During this celebratory opening ceremony with brass band, show dancers and DJ, 12 candidates will present themselves to the judges and public to be in the running for the titles of Queen and King Summer Carnival.

The day after the Royalty Election, the festival has added a new feature to celebrate the Rotterdam Unlimited Summer Carnival's 40th anniversary and its induction into the UNESCO World Heritage list: a Children's Parade. The day starts with a workshop to make headdresses that match the colourful spectacle of the parade. Later a DJ accompanies the kids as they parade through the city.

On Saturday 27 July, it is time for the Summer Carnival Street Parade. It is the culmination of Rotterdam Unlimited and best described as an explosion of colour, music, celebration and creativity in a procession of dancers, floats, music bands and the most spectacular costumes. There is no event like it anywhere in the Netherlands.

The parade starts on the Blaak, near the Market Hall and Cube Houses, from here it will make its way through the city centre for about four hours, when it returns to the Blaak for a massive street party with stages and sound systems. Over 2500 people participate in the parade, including DJs and musicians, turning the whole city into a party.

Beyond the parade

There is more to Rotterdam Unlimited Summer Carnival than the parade. As this year is an anniversary edition, there is a special exhibition at the Kunsthal. The exhibition has been created with works from the archive of the organisation and will be on show from 13 July till 13 October.

On Friday 26 July, the party gets started with Battle of the Drums: anniversary. This drum competition is back on the line-up with spectacular showcases by previous Battle winners. Three brass bands will go toe to toe to show why they are the best.

The Saturday of the festival is filled with activities beyond the parade, such as the Mercado Festival market in the heart of Rotterdam. This market is the world kitchen of Rotterdam Unlimited with food from all over the world, with everything from Surinamese to Hindu, Chinese and Antillean, and from fast food to delicious healthy meals.

Saturday also sees the grand Rueda de Casino in front of Rotterdam Central Station. The Rueda de Casino is a Cuban group dance that everyone can join. There is no set choreography, though knowing some of the steps can be helpful.