# Must sees
Together we turn on the light
Just come! to the Rotterdam Warm Winter Weeks
Fancy a sparkling evening stroll? Until January 4th, Rotterdam is all about light! Discover all sorts of beautiful light artworks and projects spread across Lijnbaan, Koopgoot, Hoogstraat, and more. The perfect opportunity to experience the city from a different perspective once the sun sets.
Tip: Take the walk during one of the extra shopping evenings. This way, you can combine the atmospheric lighting with an evening of shopping and pop into your favourite stores along the way. The perfect mix of light, ambiance, and shopping.
The best place to start this ‘lights route’? Naturally, at Rotterdam Central Station – the gateway to Rotterdam city centre. The Groot Handelsgebouw and Rotterdam Central Station together form the shining heart of the Rotterdam Central District. From a spectacular curtain of light with thousands of bulbs and a radiant Christmas tree to the return of the illuminated station bear in the city’s green, white and green colours: Rotterdam Central Station gives you a warm welcome.
Tip: fancy a warm cup of coffee for the road? Step inside Lebkov on Stationsplein. Up to and including 4 January, you can treat not only yourself but also someone else to a delicious hot coffee here, following the ‘Caffè sospeso’ concept. There are many more cosy spots taking part along the route. Discover them via the button below!
Before heading off to admire Kruiskade, we first walk through Central Plaza. With its beautiful lighting, festive decorations and Christmas trees, this part of the walk forms a sparkling ribbon of light you won’t want to miss. Are you doing the walk with children? Then a high five with the large, illuminated Mickey Mouse is an absolute must!
Location: Central Plaza
This winter, Kruiskade has gone all out with its decorations. Expect countless lights and impressive blow-ups, such as the nutcracker at The Lobby. The well-known illuminated letters are back again this year, and the trees lining the street are richly decorated with twinkling lights.
In addition, illuminated Christmas trees you can walk underneath, festively lit shopfronts, and Christmas baubles and stars above the street create a warm, wintry atmosphere. A real eye-catcher is The Lobby, the new building on Kruiskade, where the display windows on the first floor are dressed with oversized Christmas baubles and Christmas trees.
Location: Kruiskade
Normally, you might be distracted by all the great shops, but this time your eyes will be drawn to something entirely different. Various light artworks from the former China Light Festival have been placed on the canopies of Lijnbaan, including a large parrot and a blue fish!
On the roof of Toffler stands a gigantic blue fish – a nod to the iconic club De Blauwe Vis, which was located in the same pedestrian tunnel in the 1990s. At the time, this spot was a beloved disco and funk club within Rotterdam’s underground nightlife scene, and it is now being brought back into the spotlight.
Good to know: in Chinese culture, light symbolises new beginnings, prosperity and good fortune. These illuminated figures and animals carry a message of hope in dark times – both literally and figuratively.
Near Aert van Nesstraat, you might suddenly find yourself face to face with a giant parrot! Why a parrot? It’s a playful reference to Lijnbaan in the 1950s, when you could find aviaries here with birds and parrots perched freely on their stands.
Location: Lijnbaan
Do you have a wish for someone – or perhaps for the whole city? Then continue your route to the Lijnbaan plane tree, which has been transformed this winter into the Rotterdam Wish Tree. With its beautiful lighting by artist Marco Broeders, this large, iconic tree is a true eye-catcher.
Bring your own padlock, ribbon, tag, key ring, lanyard or another small symbol and attach it to the fence around the tree. This way, you leave your wish behind at this special place. All wishes are collected in the Memory Book of the Rotterdam Wish Tree and are also given a special place on our website.
Location: Lijnbaan plane tree
In the vacant corner building at the intersection of Lijnbaan and Binnenwegplein, you’ll find a striking display window: twelve screens together form a living collage about safety. This video installation was created by artist Sibe Kokke, with visual contributions from students of the Associate Degree Arts & Crafts programme at Rotterdam Academy. They collected images, words, colours and structures exploring themes of closeness, care and boundaries. The students worked from their own perspectives and personal stories – inquisitive, engaged and with an eye for the poetry of the city.
Location: Binnenwegplein
Continue your walk towards Beurs metro station, where you’ll find Coolse Poort. As the Warm Winter Weeks also focus on safety, beautiful light installations have been placed here, ensuring this darker part of the city is brightly lit as well.
Location: Coolse Poort
The next stop on the route is the Koopgoot. As usual, it is beautifully illuminated, just like in previous years. This year, however, there’s a special addition: a magical Advent Cube! This mysterious advent calendar is full of surprises for both young and old. Curious? Follow the walking route on 13, 16, 19, 20 and 23 December, and discover it for yourself.
Location: the Koopgoot
From the Koopgoot, continue to Hoogstraat, where you’ll find a six-metre-high light orb radiating warmth, connection and positivity into the city! The entire installation is built from recycled materials, because loving the city also means making careful use of what already exists.
Inside the open light orb hang hearts with short quotes from Rotterdammers — little stories that show what binds us together. The orb forms a gateway that you can walk through to feel this connection. Or, as one local said: “You don’t need to know each other to laugh together.” Leave a message of your own too!
Location: Hoogstraat
If you walk from WTC Rotterdam towards the final stop at the Hofplein Fountain, the route naturally takes you along Coolsingel. This iconic and always lively street is this winter fully adorned with festive lights. Look up and you’ll see giant Christmas baubles floating above shops like Be:at: and DAKA. The City Hall is also a real eye-catcher, with beautifully illuminated Christmas trees that are ceremoniously lit each year by the mayor.
Still time for a sparkling finale? Complete the route at the Hofplein Fountain and get a glimpse of the future. Here you can see what the future green city square will look like, thanks to the contours marked with light.
Good to know: the gigantic disco ball that hung above Hofplein was there specially – and only – during the Rotterdam Warm Winter Parade on 12 December. But don’t worry: the Hofplein Fountain is still well worth a visit.
Location: Hofplein Fountain
Don’t forget to really look around as you walk. Many shops have gone all out this winter with festive decorations. The roof of Bram Ladage is a true eye-catcher, and De Bijenkorf once again surprises this year with a beautifully dressed façade and window display. Also be sure to take a moment for a stroll around WTC Rotterdam, which is fully immersed in Christmas spirit.
In fact, the entire city centre is all about light. Festively decorated streets, illuminated Christmas trees, garlands and much more make Rotterdam city centre the perfect winter backdrop for warmth, togetherness and, of course, some fantastic photos.
Prefer to plan your own route? No problem! With the map below in hand, you can easily decide where to go and when. This way, you can be sure not to miss any of the atmospheric light points, special decorations, and winter highlights during your city exploration.
