Groningen Turns Rainbow at Pride Groningen 2026

For three days, from Friday 19 June to Sunday 21 June 2026, Groningen becomes the most colourful city in the North. Pride Groningen brings together the LGBTQI+ community, their friends, families, and allies for a weekend of visibility, celebration, and connection. And at the heart of it all is the Pride Walk: a 3.2 km march through the city centre that turns the streets into one big statement of love and pride. Whether this is your first Pride or you've been walking for years, this guide has everything you need to make the most of it. Pride Groningen has been made possible by local donations, like Dorothy's | Amusement | Stay in Groningen.

Quick Facts about Pride Groningen 2026

• Dates: 19–21 June 2026
• Main day: Saturday 20 June 2026
• Location: Groningen city centre
• Main event: Pride Walk Groningen
• Entry: Most activities are free
• Suitable for: Residents, visitors, students, families and tourists

The Pride Walk 🏳️‍🌈

The Pride Walk is the absolute highlight of Saturday, 20 June. Decorated floats, performers, community groups, and thousands of people fill the streets of the Groningen city centre from start to finish. The walk covers approximately 3.2 km and starts and ends at the Ossenmarkt.

• Gathering starts at 11:00 at the Ossenmarkt
• The march departs at 12:00 and finishes around 14:00
• Route runs through the binnenstad back to the Grote Markt
• Joining the walk is completely free

This year's edition is bigger than ever. Expect decorated floats, artists and performers marching alongside the crowd, and the kind of energy that makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. With the Martinitoren as a backdrop and the Grote Markt as the finish line, there are few better settings for a Pride parade anywhere in the country.

Full Pride 2026 Programme: 19 – 21 June 

The Pride Walk is just one piece of a packed weekend. Here's everything happening:

Pride Plein: A Stage for Everyone

After the walk, the party moves to the Grote Markt, which transforms into the Pride Plein from 14:00. It's one of the best free outdoor stages of the summer. The line-up runs from early afternoon until midnight and has something for everyone:

• Pieter van der Zweep + Bonnie St. Claire kick things off at 14:00
• Queens x Noorderpoort take the stage for an extended set from 16:00 to 19:00
• The Bony M. Experience at 21:00 and yes, it will be exactly as fun as it sounds
• Joost van Bellen + Queens + Alter a Go close out the night from 21:30

The Official Afterparty @ FIXY

As the Grote Markt winds down, the night is just getting started. The official Pride afterparty takes place at FIXY from 23:00 until 05:00. With a line-up that includes DJ Ziggy, Glamourgirl, Kevin Da Costa, Amber Bulls, VLYNDR, and Rik Harsevoort, this is going to be one of the best nights of the year.  Looking for more Pride: Flikkerdisco at VERA is another brilliant option for a queer night out on Saturday.

Pride Infomarkt: More Than Just a Market

From 10:00 to 17:00 on Saturday, the Grote Markt hosts the Pride Infomarkt. Community groups, organisations, and initiatives from across the city and region come together to share information, connect, and celebrate visibility. It's free, it's outdoors, and it's a great place to start your day before the walk kicks off.

Saturday: Pride Edtion Parkrun in the Stadspark

If you want to begin the day with some movement, head to the Stadspark for a special Pride edition of the Stadspark parkrun. The 5 km route through the park is open to walkers, joggers, and runners of all paces. Gather at Zonneweide at 08:50. The run is free (one-time registration required), and there's coffee and tea afterwards. Maximum 150 participants, so register in time.

Book Your Stay — Rooms Go Fast

Pride weekend is one of the busiest weekends in Groningen's calendar. If you're travelling in for the weekend, book early. Our accommodations are centrally located and within walking distance of every part of the programme.

• The Market Hotel — On the Grote Markt itself. Doesn't get more central.
• Hotel Schimmelpenninck Huys — Historic boutique hotel on the Pride Walk route.
• The Happy Traveler — Great value, brilliant location, and a rooftop terrace to celebrate on.
• All accommodations → — Browse the full list on our website.

Practical Tips for Pride Walk Day

• Arrive at the Ossenmarkt by 11:00 if you want a good spot near the front
• Wear something colourful — flags, glitter, and rainbow gear are all welcome
• The walk and Pride Plein are both free and outside
• For the afterparty at FIXY, buy your tickets in advance at tickets.cm.com
• Bikes and public transport fill up fast — consider walking or staying in the centre
• The whole weekend is open to everyone, regardless of background, age, or identity

Why Pride Groningen Matters

Pride Groningen started from a clear need: to put Groningen back on the map as a city where everyone can be themselves, and to counter the decline of LGBTQI+ initiatives in the north of the Netherlands. In times when the rights and safety of LGBTQI+ people are under pressure, visibility and connection matter more than ever. The organisation works with more than 30 partners from the cultural, social, and business sectors. This year's Pride is organised with the community, not just for it. And that makes all the difference. So come and march. Come and dance. Come and celebrate. Groningen will be exactly the kind of city it should be this weekend, we'd love to see you there. 🏳️‍🌈