Top Christmas Holiday activities for Kids in Groningen

Kidsproof Activities During the Christmas Holidays in Groningen

In a small three weeks, it will be Christmas holiday for the kids in the Netherlands! Are you looking forward to it? Are you off work or is it business as usual? Or perhaps you have a few days off! We’d like to inspire you with fun activities for children during the Christmas holidays in Groningen! Whether you would like to go on a full day out or just a few fun activities in between, we have some great tips for what you can do with kids in Groningen during the Christmas holidays, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, or even during the New Year celebrations! There are so many fun Christmas activities or events in Groningen where you can enjoy with children, young or old. Check our full event calendar here!

Ultimate List of Children's Activities in Groningen During the Christmas Holidays 

Let’s start with perhaps the most fun and imaginative activity, because who hasn't grown up with the books of the famous British author, Roald Dahl?

1. Roald Dahl Festival (0-99 years) | December 28, 29, and 30 | Forum Groningen 
   More information here 
   On December 28, 29, and 30, wander through the Tangly Woods where all sorts of things live! Each path leads you to new adventures, performances, workshops, movies, and more! For an overview of all the paths that lead to the program, click here: Program. Visit the festival page.
    
2. My First Festival (2 - 12 years) | Sunday, December 29, 2024 | Oosterpoort 
   More information here 
   Tickets are selling fast for the only real children’s festival, My First Festival. Parents, grandparents, and children can enjoy performances from TikTok Tammo, crafts with Swiftie bracelets, dancing with SERA and Douwe Bob, and more! There will also be food trucks and other fun activities.
    
3. Robokop (6+ years) | Saturday, January 4, 2025 at 13:30 | Oosterpoort 
   More information here 
   A writer must write a play but can't think of a single idea. So, she enlists the help of Robokop, a fantastic machine that can solve all her problems—she just needs to allow it access to her thoughts. Robokop is a hilarious and thrilling show by Wie Walvis. It's about performance pressure, artificial intelligence, and the courage to choose your own path.
    
4. Speelgoed (6+ years) | Thursday, January 2, 2025 | Stadsschouwburg 
   More information here 
   'Toy Story' is a fun show about toys discovering who they really are. In the playroom of an 8-year-old child, the toys come to life. Captain Spaceman has one important mission: to explore a new world where he and his friends will soon live, causing a lot of chaos!
    
5. Buurman & Buurman Go to the Moon (4+ years) | December 24, 2024 at 13:30 and 15:30 | Stadsschouwburg 
   More information here 
   On December 24, the day before Christmas, you can go to this magical and immersive performance with your little one: 'Buurman and Buurman Go to the Moon'. A beautiful performance by Jelle Kuiper and Ivo de Wijs, a tribute to the famous Czech handymen.
    
6. Meester Jesper Kraakt de Kluis (for Primary School Students) | December 24 at 13:30 | Martiniplaza 
   More information here 
   Join Meester Jesper on his hilarious adventure in this interactive and educational show where kids will learn to play and cooperate together.
    
7. The Little Mermaid Musical (4+ years) | Sunday, January 5, 2025 | Martiniplaza 
   More information here 
   On the last day of the Christmas holidays, dress up and enjoy this sparkling fairy tale musical. Afterward, there will be a meet and greet with all the characters from the show!
    
8. Home Alone Movie Night (All Ages) | Friday, December 20 at 19:00 | Forum Groningen Cinema 
   More information here 
   Celebrate the start of the Christmas holidays with this all-time favorite Christmas film. The movie is in English with Dutch subtitles. Watch 8-year-old Kevin McAllister face off against burglars after being accidentally left home alone during Christmas vacation.
    
9. How Van Gogh Came to Groningen (8+ years) | Daily from 10:00 AM, except Christmas Day and New Year’s Day 
   More information here 
   This magnificent exhibition tells the story of how enterprising students from Vindicat and quirky people from Groningen brought modern art to the North in 1896. It’s a great way to teach your children some art history!
    
10. Visit the Craft and Experiment Room | Saturday, December 21, 2024 - Sunday, January 5, 2025 | University Museum 
    More information here 
    Make your own bath salts, look at a wasp under a microscope, admire animal skulls, and do fun experiments with a plasma ball! There’s so much to do at the University Museum in Groningen during the Christmas holidays!
     
11. Visit a Cozy Christmas Market (Various Dates) | Saturday, December 21 and Sunday, December 22, 2024 | Haren 
    More information here
    Visit the cozy Christmas market in Haren, just outside Groningen. It's one of the most atmospheric Christmas markets, set up at the Dorpskerk. Enjoy delicious snacks, handmade products, and charming boutiques!
     
12. Ice Skating or Ride the Ferris Wheel with the Kids | Grote Markt, Groningen 
    More information here 
    During Wintergoud, you can enjoy ice skating or take a ride on the festive Ferris wheel in the heart of Groningen.
     

Great Family Friendly Hotels in Groningen During the Christmas Holidays

Looking for a family-friendly hotel in Groningen? Check out the following:

• Hotel The Happy Traveler: This hotel is perfect for families with extra beds available upon request, available during the opening weekend of Wintergoud. 
• Hotel Halbert: A cozy centrally located hotel with family rooms available during Wintergoud’s opening weekend.
• Hotel Miss Blanche: A stylish boutique hotel with a deluxe family suite with beautiful views at the canal of Hoge der A in Groningen, where you can enjoy Winterwelvaart and the Art Tour at your doorstep. More information about Hotel Miss Blanche.
• Flonk Hotel Groningen Zuid: Located just 15 minutes from the city center (there are buses), this hotel offers family rooms and a view on nature and the water. More information.
   

More Kid-Approved Outings in the Netherlands

For more family-friendly activities, check out NLWithKids on their Instagram for inspiring tips from across the Netherlands! Are you looking for more family-friendly outings and want to broaden your horizons? Perhaps fetch the train and go on a family adventure? We highly recommend checking out this page from NLWITHKIDS: https://www.instagram.com/nlwithkids. It's a great page to visit and follow! NLWITHKIDS showcases all kinds of kid-approved activities and locations across the Netherlands. They offer so much inspiration for families. So grab your calendar and start planning!