Theaters

Main Theatres in Rotterdam

In this section, you can see the main theatres of Rotterdam.

You can check the schedule of all Rotterdam theatres through this link .

Oude / Nieuwe Luxor Theater

Oude Luxor Theater in Rotterdam, originally opened as a luxurious cinema in 1917, and became the largest cinema in the Netherlands, with an impressive capacity of 1,180 seats. The prominence of the Luxor attracted the interest of the German UFA, which eventually acquired the property in 1926. It was completely demolished, and in 1928 the Luxor Palast emerged, offering 1,600 seats. It became a hub for German films and miraculously survived the 1940 bombing.

Despite the ravages of war, the theatre remained intact and underwent major renovations in 1947 (even changing its name again), 1972, and 2014. Today, with more than 900 seats, the theatre offers an eclectic program ranging from cabaret and concerts to musicals, dance, opera, theatre, and family shows.

In 1995, the decision was made to build a new Luxor Theatre in Kop van Zuid, which opened in 2001. The Nieuwe Luxor, with a capacity of 1,500 seats, hosts large productions of genres such as musicals, musical theatre, cabaret, opera, dance, and more. In addition, the theatre hosts various cultural and festive events.

Oude Luxor Theater. Kruiskade 10, 3012 EH Rotterdam.
Nieuwe Luxor Theater. Posthumalaan 1, 3072 AG Rotterdam. Visit their website at this link.

Theater Rotterdam

Theater Rotterdam was created in 2017 through the merger of Ro Theater, Rotterdamse Schouwburg, Productiehuis Rotterdam, and Wunderbaum.

Ro Theater was founded in 1977.

The Rotterdamse Schouwburg, built in 1988, represents an architectural landmark constructed on the site left devastated by the war, where a temporary theatre had first been built in 1947.

The old building was demolished in 1984, giving way to the current Rotterdamse Schouwburg, one of the jewels of Theater Rotterdam, housing two auditoriums with more than 870 seats.

At the heart of this cultural institution, more than 500 productions are presented annually, covering theatre, music, opera, youth theatre, dance, and a wide variety of festivals. This stage has hosted performances by the world’s most renowned theatre, opera, and dance companies, becoming an essential reference in the international artistic scene.

TR25 Schouwburg. Schouwburgplein 25, 3012 CL Rotterdam.
TR8 William Boothlaan. William Boothlaan 8, 3012 VJ Rotterdam. Visit their website at this link.

Theater Walhalla

In the 1980s, the Katendrecht district in Rotterdam, a former port area, faced new challenges after prostitution was banned, becoming an unattractive neighborhood. The city council decided to transform the area.

Cultural entrepreneurs Rachèl van Olm and Harry-Jan Bus saw opportunities in this neighborhood and decided to open Theater Walhalla in 2008, inspired by a legendary nightlife venue from the past. The theatre stands on the same site where the famous Dancing Walhalla was located before World War II.

Theater Walhalla, with a capacity of 72 seats, opened a second hall called Kantine Walhalla in 2014, and in 2018 inaugurated the Werkplaats Walhalla in a former gymnasium. This workshop aims to develop professional talents and promote artistic experimentation and growth.

Walhalla organizes more than 300 performances annually and several festivals. With around 40,000 visitors each year, the theatre has become a key player in the cultural scene of Katendrecht and Rotterdam. The mission of Theater Walhalla is to entertain, surprise, inspire, and challenge through its programming, connecting creators and audiences. Its vision involves managing a stage for artistic practice and a workshop for talent development, serving as a driver of renewal and innovation in theatre circuits.

Theater Walhalla. Sumatraweg 9, 3072 ZR Rotterdam. Visit their website at this link.

Prinses Theater

The Prinses Theater in the Delfshaven district, with over a century of history, holds the title of being the oldest theatre in the city, opening in 1914 as Concordia Bioscope and evolving into a cinema and variety theatre from 1917.

Although it closed in 1973, the building has been renovated and modernized without losing its rich history. Entrepreneurs Dennis Rens and Ernst Hoogenboom plan to use this unique venue for various events, from corporate parties to dinner shows and gatherings.

With an innovative initiative, Rens and Hoogenboom aim to preserve this cultural treasure for future generations, combining cultural programming with events, looking ahead to the next 100 years.

Prinses Theater, with 1,100 square meters, offers a fully renovated and versatile space for meetings, fairs, conferences, and events from 20 to 850 people.

Prinses Theater. Schiedamseweg 19A, 3026 AB Rotterdam. Visit their website at this link.

Jeugdtheater Hofplein

The Stichting Jeugdtheater Hofplein, also known as Stichting Hofplein Rotterdam, was established in 1985 in the original Technikon space in Rotterdam, previously used as a theatre/classroom hall since 1970. Under the name Hofpleintheater, the venue was revitalized in 1985 by theatre creator Louis Lemaire, becoming “Jeugdtheater Hofplein.” Lemaire took the initiative to turn it into a space where children were not only spectators but also actors.

This theatre, with a unique façade by Karel Appel and colorful seats, presents plays performed exclusively by children and young people each season, making it a prominent name in Rotterdam.

It offers classes and workshops for youth, holiday activities, and the possibility of hosting children’s parties.

Committed to young audiences, the Hofplein Youth Theatre organizes the National Youth Commemoration and rents its spaces for corporate events.

Jeugdtheater Hofplein. Benthemplein 13, 3032 CC Rotterdam. Visit their website at this link.

Theater Zuidplein

This theater was built in Rotterdam-Zuid in 1954.

In its early years, the theatre, originally called Grote Schouwburg, was very popular in Rotterdam. It was a regional theatre where leading Dutch stage artists and internationally renowned musicians performed. In 1978, after major renovations, the theatre adopted its current name, “Theater Zuidplein.” Due to demographic changes in the city and a program that did not adapt to them, the number of visitors sharply declined in the following years.

In the 1990s, thanks to municipal intervention, Theater Zuidplein managed to change its situation. The programming began to better reflect Rotterdam’s new residents, and over time, the theatre became a truly inclusive venue for everyone in Rotterdam and its surroundings.

Theater Zuidplein has two auditoriums with a capacity of nearly 600 and over 165 seats, as well as a café theatre with a small stage. It offers a wide range of events with current and social themes, from cabaret and theatre to dance, music, and festivals.

Theater Zuidplein. Zuidplein 60-64, 3083 CW Rotterdam. Visit their website at this link.

Other Activities in Rotterdam