News · 16 Sept 2026

Rotterdam Centraal becomes Pride HQ: free Change Station opens this week

Rotterdam’s busiest station is going full Queertopia this week. From Thursday 17 to Sunday 27 September, Rotterdam Centraal becomes the official headquarters of Rotterdam Pride 2026. NS opens a Pride pop-up in the station passage with a daily programme around Queer Arts and Culture, Queer Mental Health, Generations of Pride and Trans Visibility — a high-visibility hub right where the city arrives. The standout for party people: the free Change Station. Between HEMA and Sissy-Boy (near platform 2), you can change, get glam and touch up before hitting the streets. Professional makeup artists from E.L.F. (thanks to ETOS) are on hand with makeup and glitter, hosts Ruxy Bonaparte and Queen Elsa 007 welcome guests, and the space doubles as a Safe Space. Open daily 09:00–15:30 — completely free. No luggage lockers on site, so travel light. Saturday 26 September is the peak day. The Pride March gathers at Stationsplein from 10:30, DJs take over the station hall, and the free Pride Festival follows at Willemsplein with a full lineup spanning live music, queer talent and Rotterdam’s club scene — including names like Berget Lewis, JEA, Babs, Yaro Mila, Mandy McCandy, WINE., Gavin Reijnders and more. After a strong 2025 collaboration, this year’s station takeover is bigger. Station manager Marion Den Hooglander put it plainly: Rotterdam Centraal reflects the city, and Pride belongs under that roof year-round — not only in September. If you’re in Rotterdam for Queertopia week, start at Centraal: programme, glam, community, then straight into the march and festival. That’s the kind of city energy Vibra was built for.