The Ultimate Festival Guide to Groningen in 2026 – Dates, Locations, and Tips

Groningen is buzzing again in 2026. Throughout the year, there are events focusing on music, art, literature, theater, and food. From major international festivals to small-scale local parties: there is something for everyone. Below you will find an overview of the most important festivals in Groningen in 2026, chronologically arranged, including information about the target audience, atmosphere, and activities.

Music & Art Festivals in Groningen

Eurosonic Noorderslag 2026 (ESNS Groningen)
January 14 to 17, 2026 – City Center & Oosterpoort Groningen
Music Festival | Showcase Festival | International Music Industry
Eurosonic Noorderslag is the largest showcase festival in Europe and a staple on the international music agenda. Every year, the music industry flocks to Groningen to discover new European artists. During the day, the festival centers on conferences, panels, and networking events, while at night, the city transforms into one massive music festival. Performances take place at dozens of locations across the city center, from small cafes to large venues like De Oosterpoort and SPOT. For visitors, ESNS represents a unique opportunity to discover new music before artists break through. The festival attracts music lovers, professionals, and international visitors, firmly putting Groningen on the map as a city of music.

TakeRoot Festival 2026 Groningen
April 24, 2026 – SPOT Groningen
Music Festival | Folk & Americana
TakeRoot Festival is a beloved music festival for fans of Americana, folk, and roots music. The festival takes place in and around SPOT Groningen and is known for its intimate atmosphere and strong programming. Visitors can enjoy live concerts, smaller performances, and meet-and-greets with artists. TakeRoot attracts an audience that loves authentic music, stories, and a relaxed festival experience. With a long history within the Groningen festival scene, the festival has built a loyal following.

Kingsland Groningen 2026
April 26, 2026 – Stadspark Groningen
Dance Festival | Music Festival | King’s Day Groningen
Kingsland Groningen is one of the largest King’s Day festivals in the Northern Netherlands. In the Stadspark, thousands of visitors gather for a day full of dance, electronic music, and festive performances. With multiple stages, well-known DJs, and an energetic atmosphere, it is particularly popular among young people and partygoers. The festival is a key part of the King’s Day celebrations in Groningen and attracts visitors from across the region.

De Helden van Oranje 2026 Groningen
Late April 2026 – Groningen
Music Festival | Family Festival | King’s Day
De Helden van Oranje is a festive music festival centered around King’s Day with sing-alongs, live bands, and a casual atmosphere. The event is accessible to all ages and suitable for families and music lovers who want to experience a day of entertainment together. The emphasis is on coziness, coming together, and enjoying recognizable music.

Bevrijdingsfestival Groningen 2026 (Liberation Day)
May 5, 2026 – Stadspark Groningen
Music Festival | Cultural Festival | Freedom
The Bevrijdingsfestival Groningen celebrates freedom with music, culture, and social themes. National and international artists perform on multiple stages, interspersed with talks, debates, and activities surrounding freedom and democracy. The festival attracts a very diverse audience and is suitable for families, youth, and visitors who want to reflect on freedom while celebrating in an open festival atmosphere.

Wolter Wolthers Festival 2026 Groningen
May 23, 2026 – Groningen
Music Festival | Indie & Alternative Music
The Wolter Wolthers Festival is known for its creative and quirky programming. This intimate festival offers space for emerging artists and surprising acts. The atmosphere is informal, allowing visitors to get close to the performers. The festival particularly appeals to music lovers curious about fresh sounds and unique musical discoveries.

MARKT! 2026 Groningen
May 25, 2026 – Stadspark Groningen
Lifestyle Festival | Vintage & Culture | Street Food Groningen
Clothing, vintage accessories, antique furniture, crates full of vinyl, and stacks of books: you’ll find it all at MARKT!, a festival arriving in the Stadspark in Groningen on Sunday, May 25. For an entire day, you can browse dozens of stands with a varied selection and enjoy plenty of fun: enjoy street food, play a game of jeu de boules, and watch live performances. MARKT! is open from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM; admission is €4 per person.

Terug naar het Begin 2026 (Haren, Groningen)
May 29, 30, and 31, 2026 – Various locations in Haren
Discovery Festival | Music & Culture | Heritage Groningen
Terug naar het Begin is a special festival that highlights the beautiful locations and heritage in and around Haren. Over three days, visitors can enjoy a varied program of music, theater, and art in unexpected places like old churches and farms. The festival invites you to discover the surroundings in a new way and offers an intimate experience for culture lovers and curious explorers who enjoy a small-scale and hospitable atmosphere.

Planet Paradigm 2026 Groningen
May 30, 2026 – Paradigm Terrain Groningen
Electronic Music Festival | Art & Experience Groningen
Planet Paradigm combines electronic music with art, light shows, and visual experiences. Multiple stages are built on the Paradigm grounds, featuring light art, installations, and performances. Visitors experience a creative total concept where music, visuals, and atmosphere take center stage — a departure from traditional dance events.

Summerstage Groningen 2026
June & July 2026 – Stadspark Groningen
Music Festival | Summer Concerts Groningen | Live Music
Summerstage is a relatively new series of summer concerts organized by SPOT Groningen. The concept was created to provide major artists, for whom regular concert halls have become too small, with an outdoor stage. The former trotting track (Drafbaan) in the Stadspark serves as the ideal location; with the iconic Gasunie building in the background and the green surroundings of the park, a unique atmosphere is created reminiscent of large international park concerts. In 2026, the lineup includes Snow Patrol (with special guest White Lies), Mumford & Sons, and Kraantje Pappie. For many music lovers, Summerstage marks the beginning of the true summer festival feeling in Groningen.

Groningens Finest Festival 2026
July 4, 2026 – Stadspark Groningen
Music Festival | Pop Festival Groningen
Groningens Finest is a summer music festival focusing on popular artists and a broad target audience. In the Stadspark, visitors can enjoy live music, food and drinks, and a relaxed festival atmosphere. The festival is accessible in character and ideal for those seeking a day of music and fun.

Festival Hongerige Wolf 2026 (Groningen)
July 10 to 12, 2026 – Hongerige Wolf, Groningen
Art & Music Festival | Multidisciplinary Festival Groningen
Hongerige Wolf is a creative festival in a rural setting featuring music, theater, dance, film, and visual arts. The festival combines culture with nature and village charm. For families, art lovers, and visitors who enjoy a multidisciplinary experience in a unique setting.

Aurora Festival 2026 Groningen
July 15 to 24, 2026 – Various locations Groningen
Classical Music Festival Groningen | Chamber Music
Aurora is the largest chamber music festival in the Northern Netherlands. Concerts take place at extraordinary locations throughout the city, presenting classical music in an accessible way. Ideal for lovers of classical music, culture, and unique performance experiences.

Afro Groove KiZ Festival 2026 Groningen
July 24, 2026 – Groningen
Dance & Cultural Festival Groningen | Music & Workshops
An energetic festival full of music, dance, and rhythm. Afro Groove KiZ combines live performances with workshops and interactive activities. For everyone who loves dance, movement, and a positive festival vibe, including families with children.

Free Your Mind Festival 2026 Groningen
July 25, 2026 – Stadspark Groningen
Electronic Music Festival Groningen | Techno Festival
Free Your Mind combines electronic music with a free, creative atmosphere. The festival offers performances, art installations, and interactive activities in the greenery of the Stadspark. Ideal for visitors open to new music and art experiences.

Hullabaloo Festival 2026 Groningen
September 5 & 6, 2026 – Stadspark Drafbaan Groningen
Pop Festival Groningen | Music & Entertainment
A massive summer closing festival with multiple stages and a diverse lineup. Hullabaloo offers a combination of music, food, and entertainment. Suitable for visitors who enjoy an energetic festival experience.

Culinary Food & Drinks Festivals in Groningen

Whiskyfestival Noord-Nederland 2026 Groningen
March 27 & 28, 2026 – Groningen
Food Festival | Whisky Festival Groningen | Drink Experience
The Whiskyfestival Noord-Nederland returns to Groningen in 2026, focusing on lovers of whisky and other spirits. During the festival, importers, distilleries, and whisky enthusiasts present their collections, including unique bottlings and special variants. Visitors can taste, participate in masterclasses, and learn more about the production process and the origin of whisky. For participants, it is an ideal chance to discover new flavors and talk with experts from the whisky scene.

Wine Festival Groningen 2026 (Wijnfestival)
Date to be confirmed – Akerk Groningen
Food Festival | Wine Festival Groningen | Tasting & Learning
The Wine Festival Groningen returns to the Akerk in the heart of Groningen in 2026. During this well-known festival, visitors can taste hundreds of different wines at more than twenty stands. Besides tastings, there are often special workshops and guided sessions where you learn more about wine varieties and regions. Cheese, charcuterie, and local snacks complete the experience. The exact dates for 2026 will be announced later, but the festival is traditionally held in the autumn.

Bierfestival050 Groningen / Craft Beer Events
Traditionally around September – Graansilo Groningen
Beer Festival Groningen | Beer Tasting | Craft Beer
Bierfestival050 is a popular beer festival in Groningen where local and national brewers present their craft beers. On the grounds of the Graansilo, you can taste various styles of beer, from hoppy IPAs to traditional artisanal brews. Visitors often receive a tasting glass upon entry and can learn more from the brewers about the brewing process and the stories behind the beers.

Wild Festival Groningen 2026 (Beer, Wine & Cider)
Date to be determined – EM2 Groningen
Food Festival Groningen | Beer Festival | Drink Festival
Wild Festival Groningen is a unique beer, wine, cider, and food festival centered around flavorful and unique drink experiences. During this event, breweries from the Netherlands and abroad combine special beers, natural wines, and artisanal ciders with gastronomic dishes and food stands. Visitors can discover unique flavors, learn from brewers, and enjoy an international lineup of beverages. The festival is organized at the EM2 location and attracts fans of unique drinks from near and far.

Culture, Theater & Literature Festivals in Groningen

Best of IDFA on Tour 2026 Groningen
January 25, 2026 – Forum Groningen
Film Festival Groningen | Documentary Festival | Culture
Best of IDFA on Tour brings the best documentaries from the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam to Groningen. Several leading films are screened in one day, often with introductions or post-screening discussions. The program offers space for depth, social themes, and personal stories. Visitors are invited to reflection and discussion — ideal for film buffs and culture seekers.

Noordwoord Festival / Het Grote Gebeuren 2026 Groningen
February 20, 2026 – Forum Groningen
Literature Festival Groningen | Poetry Festival | Language & Culture
Noordwoord is the premier language and literature festival of the Northern Netherlands. With spoken word, performances, interviews, and discussions on social themes, the festival provides a platform for language in all its forms. At the Forum, writers, poets, and performers gather to inspire visitors and provoke thought.

Dichters in de Prinsentuin 2026 Groningen (Poets in the Prince's Garden)
June 26 to 28, 2026 – Prinsentuin Groningen
Poetry Festival Groningen | Literature | Green Setting
Dichters in de Prinsentuin combines poetry with nature. In the historical Prinsentuin garden, poets recite their work on various intimate stages surrounded by greenery. The festival offers a peaceful and inspiring experience for lovers of language and art, perfect for a cultural afternoon outdoors.

Noorderzon Festival Groningen 2026 (Performing Arts & Society)
August 20 to 30, 2026 – Noorderplantsoen & City Center Groningen
Theater Festival Groningen | Performing Arts | Cultural Festival
Noorderzon is an international festival for performing arts, theater, dance, and music. The festival takes place in and around the Noorderplantsoen, where visitors can roam freely between shows, installations, and performances. Throughout the day and evening, the program offers a mix of theatrical productions, live acts, and surprising performances, combined with food and drink spots in the park.

Family & Children’s Events in Groningen

Kinderfestival Haren 2026 (Groningen)
Date to be confirmed – Hortus Haren
Family Festival Groningen | Children's Activities | Nature & Play
In the beautiful surroundings of the Hortus Haren, the annual Children's Festival takes place. A day full of creative workshops, games, theater, and nature discoveries specifically for children and their parents. Although the exact date for 2026 is yet to be set, it is a staple highlight for families who enjoy a playful day in nature.

Kinderboekenweek 2026 Groningen (Children's Book Week)
September 30 to October 11, 2026 – Various locations Groningen
Family Festival Groningen | Literature | Children
During Children's Book Week, Groningen focuses on reading and stories. Throughout the city, performances, workshops, reading sessions, and activities take place for children and parents. The event encourages the joy of reading, creativity, and shared experiences around books and stories — a cultural highlight for families.

Celtic Folk Festival 2026 Groningen
October 31, 2026 – Groningen
Folk Festival Groningen | Traditional Music | Culture
The Celtic Folk Festival brings Irish and Scottish folk music to Groningen. Visitors can enjoy live music with traditional instruments, singing, and dancing. The warm musical atmosphere and focus on culture and tradition make this a recommendation for fans of folk music and cultural events.

Roald Dahl Festival 2026 Groningen
December 28 to 30, 2026 – Groningen
Family Festival Groningen | Theater | Interactive Activities
The Roald Dahl Festival closes the year with an imaginative program for children and families. With theatrical plays, creative workshops, and interactive activities, the stories of Roald Dahl are brought to life in a warm and playful setting during the Christmas holidays.

Are you organizing a festival in Groningen?

Nothing beats a Groningen festival day with a great group of friends. With this guide in hand, you have the blueprint for an unforgettable 2026. Forward this article to your festival buddies, mark the dates in your shared calendar, and start the countdown. Whether it rains or the sun shines: there is always something to celebrate in Groningen. Are you organizing a festival or event in Groningen yourself, but it’s not on the list yet? Register it here!