# Must sees
Together we turn on the light
Just come! to the Rotterdam Warm Winter Weeks
The Rotterdam Warm Winter Weeks kick off on Friday, December 12th with a colourful parade of lights through Rotterdam's city centre: the Rotterdam Warm Winter Parade. Everyone is welcome and everyone can participate for free! Have you registered yet?
Bathe yourself in the light and be swept away by a colourful procession of roller skaters, dancers, skaters, freerunners, soundbikes, and more, through a city center bathed in light. Naturally, with music and surprising light effects. A winter gathering, Rotterdam style. Just come and experience it for yourself!
Registration and walk-in for the light parade will open at 4:00 PM at Doelwater (next to City Hall). Participation is free. Please register in advance and pick up your wristband there. This grants you access to the parade and allows you to pick up delicious treats afterward!
Dress code: festive and illuminated, or make your outfit shine even brighter in the light wash, with tips from Fashion Mayor Olivia Pattiwael and Rotterdam fashionistas. Enjoy a cozy warm-up with DJs and music.
Performances by the school choir Zangexpress, 200 primary school students, and Rotterdam singer Zoë Livay. Mayor Carola Schouten, along with Alicia, the children's mayor, will light the Christmas tree and the city heater heart.
Presenter Sander de Kramer and Rotterdam's children's mayor Alicia will give the starting signal together with councillor Pascal Lansink and 'Hofplein architect' Cor Geluk.
A collective countdown illuminates the iconic fountain, complete with a one-time-only disco ball above the fountain. The green contour lighting provides a preview of what the future Hofplein—the new city park—will look like.
A large, illuminated blue fish adorns Toffler's roof—a nod to the iconic club De Blauwe Vis, which was located in the same pedestrian tunnel in the 1990s. This venue, a beloved disco and funk club in Rotterdam's underground nightlife scene at the time, is being spotlighted again here.
For one evening, the Lijnbaan will be transformed into a China Lightbaan, with three colourful light objects above the Lijnbaan arches. Chinese light art traditionally symbolizes hope, light, harmony, and connectedness. The enlarged flora and fauna figures also reference the famous Lijnbaan bird aviaries from the 1950s.
The Lijnbaan Plane Tree has been transformed into a illuminated wishing tree by artist Marco Broeders. Residents of Rotterdam can leave their wishes here in the form of ribbons, locks, hearts, or other symbols. Afterward, all wishes will be collected in the Rotterdam Wish Book, which will be presented to the mayor.
The light procession continues with a brass band and the young Winter Princess Eden (8), along with the King & Queen of the Summer Carnival, right through the Koopgoot.
An upcycled light installation by artists Ruth Lamboo and Ester Kluitman. The open ball displays short statements by Rotterdammers; small moments that evoke what connects us in this city. The light ball forms a gateway of warmth and positivity, made from recycled materials as a symbol of care for the city.
The fire department and ambulance will give a dynamic performance on Binnenrotte with free runners, dancers, music, lights, firefighters, a fire engine, ambulances, and a cherry picker — an energetic tribute to safety in the city and a festive New Year's greeting from the emergency services.
The city carillonneur will herald the end of the light procession. Participants will gather on Grote Kerkplein for warm treats: free soup and oliebollen (Dutch doughnuts), hot chocolate, and affordable fries from Bram Ladage. Outside, there will be a fire dance and an LED performance by Wouter Blom, Selin Çakıcı, and the Rotter Wieler Bende.
In a specially illuminated Laurenskerk, performances will include world breakdancer Justen Beer, spoken word artist Moze Naél, singer Damaris, organist Matthijs, the Rotter Wieler Bende, and DJ collective Ampfemine. Night Mayor Thys Boer and spoken word artist Britney will close the evening. Together, we'll ring in a warm and safe night out. Because in Rotterdam, warmth, experience, and safety go hand in hand!
We welcome everyone to join the Rotterdam Warm Winter Parade. Participation is easy; register for free using the button below, and we'll see you on December 12th!
