On Friday, December 12, Mayor Carola Schouten will turn on the lights of the Christmas tree in front of the city hall. The lighting of the Christmas lights is a festive moment. It starts on Friday at 5:00 PM and all residents of Rotterdam are welcome.
The Christmas tree on Coolsingel is part of a Rotterdam tradition. Since 1951, the mayor has lit the lights of the large pine tree in front of the city hall.
In the latest Stadskrant . Link opens an external page you can read more about this tradition.
Light in December
The lighting of the Christmas lights is more than just flipping a light switch. People gather in front of the city hall to bring warmth and light to the dark winter months.
On Friday, there will be performances. A childrens choir from ZangExpress will sing winter songs on the steps of the city hall. Rotterdam singer Zoë Livay will also perform. Furthermore, city carillonneur Richard de Waardt will play winter songs on the carillon in the city hall tower.
Warm Winter Parade
With the lighting of the Christmas lights, the Rotterdam Warm Winter Weeks. Link opens an external page also begin. From Doelwater, the Warm Winter Parade. Link opens an external page departs on Friday at 6:00 PM.
This is a group of skaters, dancers, and musicians who travel through the city with lights to form a ‘ribbon of light’. The Christmas lighting is therefore not limited to the Coolsingel.
If you want to join the Warm Winter Parade, you must register in advance. You can get a free ticket for the parade via this link. Link opens an external page.
Warm Winter Weeks
The Rotterdam Warm Winter Weeks is an initiative of Rotterdam entrepreneurs. The local retailers want to use the period between Friday, December 12 and Sunday, January 4 to bring warmth and coziness to the city.
Curious about the program of the Rotterdam Warm Winter Weeks? Via the Rotterdam Centrum website. Link opens an external page you can see which activities are planned.
