Rotterdam likes a good party, so it’s no surprise there are a multitude of lively festivals from which to choose. Here is a sampling of the variety of festivals that take place annually in Rotterdam.

*Museums Night is held in February. It is a special event during which all of the Rotterdam museums are open from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. For a small fee, you can visit all the museums in one night, enjoying the wide variety of artwork while meeting Rotterdam locals. This is a cultural and social event, all rolled into one.

* Zomercarnaval is held in July, while it’s hot and the weather beckons the notion of a Caribbean style carnival. That’s what Zomercarnaval is all about. This carnival fills Rotterdam’s city center with the sights and sounds of a carnival similar to one you might find in Rio de Janeiro. This event lasts three days at the end of each July and includes a “battle of the drums”, parades and authentic costumes. This is one of the most popular annual events in Rotterdam

The Rotterdam International Film Festival is another popular Rotterdam festival. Here, international films are viewed, judged and awarded. Some films make their premieres at the film festival.