Nowadays an important attraction is also the musical show and the fireworks on Saturday evening on the Nieuwe Maas, near the Erasmus Bridge.
The locations are: the Nieuwe Maas as a demonstration area, Katendrecht, Wilhelminapier, Wilhelminaplein, Willemsplein, Willemskade, Veerkade at the Veerhaven, Westerkade and Parkkade.
At the time, these were one-day events organized by the Rotterdam department of the Dutch company for industry and trade and the board of the Havenbelangen Foundation.
The program included a boat trip through the ports, a lunch in the former officers' society in Het Park and a tea in the Boyman Museum.
After the Second World War, it took until September 1978 when the organization of Rotterdam Maritime 78 brought the Harbor Days to their current public-oriented character.
It was a major event with a fleet show on the Nieuwe Maas with 180 ships, including the popular Charlotte Rhodes from the series The Onedin Line.
In connection with the 30th anniversary, there was an opening port song by Gerard Cox and an evening program on September 8 with Gloria Estefan, among others.