Eurosonic Noorderslag (ESNS) 2026: All about the 40th Anniversary and the Free Program in Groningen
From January 14 to 17, 2026, Groningen will be completely dominated by Eurosonic Noorderslag (ESNS). The 40th edition of this leading showcase festival promises to be historic. With a record number of free performances, an impressive line-up of Groningen talent at Grunnsonic, and special art projects throughout the city, Groningen is the place to be for music lovers in January. Are you looking for the ESNS timetable for the free program? In this article, you will read all about the locations, the daily headliners, and what you can expect from ESNS 2026.
Program 40 years of ESNS: What is there to do?
For four decades, Eurosonic Noorderslag has been the place where the European music industry gathers to discover the stars of the future. In honor of this 40th anniversary, the organization is pulling out all the stops to make the festival more accessible than ever. For those without a ticket for the official showcase nights, there is an unprecedentedly large selection of free accessible events in 2026 and an extensive block schedule for ESNS 2026 at various locations.
Check the extensive schedule here
MEET@AIR at the Grote Markt
The central meeting point of the festival is the Grote Markt, where the MEET@AIR project puts northern talent in the spotlight. This year, for the first time, the festival will work with daily headliners:
- Wednesday, January 14: TikTok Tammo
- Thursday, January 15: GP UIT G
- Friday, January 16: Inge van Calkar
These headliners provide a unique trilogy: a DJ set in the romneyloods, an in-depth interview at SpotTV, and a spectacular closing show on the MEET@AIR stage.
Grunnsonic 2026: The best Groningen acts in a row
Part of the free program is Grunnsonic, the collaboration between ESNS and POPgroningen. This year, the selection is larger than ever with no fewer than 39 acts. From established names to emerging talent, the Groningen music scene shows its best side. To provide all this talent with a worthy stage, the number of festival locations has been significantly expanded this year.
In addition to the familiar, intimate atmosphere in locations such as Het Concerthuis, Warhol, and Het Pakhuis, The Market Hotel and Wijck are the newest additions in 2026. This creates a continuous musical route through the entire city center of Groningen, making the festival feeling palpable on every street corner. Among the confirmed names, we find:
- Cashmyra
- Antoine Cedric
- Swerve
- Marit Nygård en de Medemensen
- Timo de Jong
- Vanity Box
- Fremi & Italo Hans (in collaboration with Relate Radio)
Cultural highlights: ESNS Art and the Popwalk
Because Eurosonic Noorderslag is blowing out forty candles this year, the city center of Groningen will transform into a living tribute to pop culture. An absolute recommendation is the ESNS Popwalk. Via a special podwalk app from the NTR, you walk past more than thirty iconic locations while listening to the most beautiful stories about forty years of festival history.
At the Grote Markt and the Nieuwe Markt, you can view the impressive photo exhibition Then and Now by Ben Houdijk. In addition, students at Club NOORD (Academie Minerva) present their work under the title ESNS Echo, where historical archival material has been transformed into futuristic art installations. This is how Groningen celebrates the future by looking back at forty years of musical innovation.
Noorderslag 2026: Donnie’s Party Comité and Dutch talent
On Saturday, January 17, the focus shifts to Dutch talent at De Oosterpoort. One of the most talked-about acts is Donnie’s Party Comité, a Dutch hit parade featuring guest stars such as Marco Schuitmaker, Ammar, and Robert van Hemert. In addition, there is plenty of attention for diversity and new talent at the 3FM/FunX Stage and acts like Alice Olsthoorn and Fellatio.
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Platosonic: Intimate pearls in the Oude Ebbingestraat
Platosonic is the place where music lovers gather during the day. In the iconic record store Plato and the nearby Bagels & Beans, a unique in-store festival will take place from Thursday,
January 15 to Saturday, January 17. It is completely free to attend, and you are literally standing right in front of the artists who will play for thousands of people just a few hours later.
On Thursday and Friday, you will see a mix of European talent. Think of the Ukrainian sounds of GANNA, the dreamy indie of Valeria Stoica from Romania, and the British post-punk energy of TTSSFU.
On Saturday, January 17, Platosonic traditionally turns completely orange as a warm-up for Noorderslag. The focus is then entirely on Dutch talent. At Plato, you can expect acts like Josua Peter and Grote Geelstaart, while at Bagels & Beans you can enjoy a coffee to the sounds of Isabel van Gelder and MICHA, among others. Afterwards, you can have your new favorite record signed by the band you just saw live—how cool is that? Platosonic is therefore the perfect place for a cozy setting with a great live performance.
Check out the Stay in Groningen free ESNS timetable
With dozens of free performances, different locations, and a packed fringe program, it can be quite a challenge to make your own schedule. Don't worry: we've already done the research for you!
We are the only ones offering a complete and clear schedule of all free events during this anniversary edition. Check out our handy ESNS Time Table and find at a glance where and when you need to be for Grunnsonic, Platosonic and all other free festivities. This way, you don't have to miss a single act and you get the most out of your festival week in Groningen!
