North Sea Round Town
During North Sea Round Town, the annual fringe festival of NN North Sea Jazz, music resound everywhere in Rotterdam, from June 25 to July 12. Inside, outside, in places you know and places you’ll stumble upon along the way. With 375+ concerts across 175 locations, there’s always something pulling you in. Whether you plan ahead or just drift through the city: Rotterdam is on.
TIP: opening night
Thu 25 June, location tba
With RUNA BECOMES SUN by AWICHAS from Ibelisse Guardia Ferragutti, we ease into North Sea Round Town and step into another world. Created especially for the opening night, this new work unfolds slowly through sound, rhythm and light. Drawing you into a sensory experience. A moment to land, to breathe, before the city sets in motion for three weeks.
TIP: Rotterdam Femme in Focus Jèryh Luz
Sat 27 June, Boerderij Driebergen
From a residency at Boerderij Driebergen, Jèryh Luz develops new work into a live Femme in Focus set, created together with North Sea Round Town. Catch the premiere on Saturday 27 June and after that, you’ll find her everywhere: from terraces in the city centre to the beach at Hoek van Holland, from Rotterdam Centraal to Rotterdam South (including Dunya Festival). From full band to intimate sets.
TIP: Chaerin Im Artist in Focus 2026
Thu 2 July, location tba
This summer, Chaerin Im takes center stage as Artist in Focus with the premiere of Phase Shift – A Sonic Collision of Seoul and Rotterdam (Thursday 2 July). From jazz piano roots and the Korean classical scene to a bold, synth-driven sound — her work moves freely between worlds and genres. From Seoul to the Rotterdam underground, she builds her own path across the city in different formations.
TIP: Jazzhaven in Historisch Delfshaven
Sat 4 July, Delfshaven
Follow the water through Historic Delfshaven. During Jazzhaven (Saturday 4 July), you will move from indoor spaces to terraces, discovering Rotterdam musicians in ever-changing settings. Intimate concerts, unexpected crossovers. Just move along and let yourself be surprised
TIP: Jazz on the Meent
Thu 9 July, Meent
Feel like wandering through the city, drifting between terraces and music? At Jazz on de Meent, you'll move from spot to spot with live acts on terraces, in galleries and shops. With 50 concerts across 25 locations.
Many boutiques and shops welcome you this evening with extended opening hours. Stay a little longer afterwards: bars and restaurants are open as usual.
TIP: Buurtconcert XL
Thu 25 June, Humanitas Bergweg, Rotterdam-Noord
North Sea Round Town kicks off the Buurtconcerten (‘Neighborhood concerts’) with a special XL edition at Humanitas Bergweg. From care homes to community spaces, with live music and dance. Drop by, listen, sing along or move in your own way. Because even when the feet stay still, music still moves.
TIP: closing weekend
Fri 10 July until Sun 12 July
Music pops up everywhere. At Rotterdam Centraal Station, there will be a large stage from Friday 10 until Sunday 12 July. In the city centre, from Lijnbaan to Koopgoot, Jazz Rotterdam Centrum brings music to every corner. Even the metro joins in with RET Melodies from Centraal to Zuidplein. And at Annie M.G. Schmidtplein, near Ahoy, another stage is waiting.
