Skating on the Maas

This winter, Rotterdam is welcoming a new seasonal attraction.

From 6 December 2026 to 3 January 2027, visitors can enjoy a unique ice-skating experience on Noordereiland, with the city’s skyline and the River Maas as a spectacular backdrop. Skating on the Maas promises real ice, festive Christmas lights and plenty of winter cheer in one of Rotterdam’s most picturesque locations.

The area next to Bar Tij will be transformed into a cosy winter destination where visitors of all ages can enjoy a skate. With the river on one side and Rotterdam’s skyline on the other, it is a special setting for a winter outing in the city.

A unique ice rink with real ice

What makes Skating on the Maas particularly special is its use of real ice. The rink features a layer of ice created by freezing water from the River Maas, bringing an authentic skating experience to Noordereiland.

The winter atmosphere will be completed with Christmas lights, festive trees and wooden winter cabins where visitors can enjoy snacks and warming drinks such as hot chocolate and mulled wine. A large stretch tent above the rink will also provide shelter.

With space for approximately 150 skaters at a time, the ice rink is designed to welcome a wide range of visitors, from families and couples to groups of friends and colleagues looking for a fun winter activity in Rotterdam.

From casual skating to disco on ice

During the Christmas holidays, visitors can enjoy recreational skating throughout the day. The programme will also include school visits, corporate evenings and a variety of special events and collaborations.

One of the highlights will be disco on ice, bringing music and a festive atmosphere to the rink. Whether visiting with family, friends, classmates or colleagues, Skating on the Maas offers something for different audiences. It could even make for a memorable and original date idea.

Bringing people together in the city

Skating on the Maas is an initiative by Stichting Stadsmakers, founded in 2026 by Xander Olthof, Tjeerd van Rossen and Cornelis Kleinjan. The foundation aims to transform underused public spaces in Rotterdam into lively places where people can meet, connect and enjoy themselves.

The idea behind the ice rink grew from a shared ambition to bring more life to the city’s public spaces. The location next to Bar Tij proved an ideal choice, combining its riverside setting with beautiful views of Rotterdam.

“With Stichting Stadsmakers, we want to give something beautiful back to Rotterdam. We see opportunities in different parts of the city to create places where people can come together and have fun. With Skating on the Maas, we want to be there for all Rotterdammers this winter, young and old. Our aim is to create something together that makes the city happy,” says Cornelis Kleinjan.

As a non-profit foundation, Stichting Stadsmakers is committed to giving temporary new purposes to public spaces and creating accessible opportunities for people to connect. Skating on the Maas is one way of bringing that vision to life.

Make it a winter visit to Bar Tij

Bar Tij, the hospitality venue on Noordereiland, is also involved in the initiative. It provides a natural addition to the winter experience, allowing visitors to combine their skating session with lunch, dinner or drinks by the water.

Whether you are heading out for an afternoon on the ice or planning a longer winter evening, the combination of skating, hospitality and riverside views makes this a special way to experience Rotterdam.