Are you ready to find the best second-hand bargains in the North? On Monday 27 April, Groningen city centre will once again be transformed into a huge, lively street market. Whether you’re laying out your own stall on the Singels or hunting for that one vintage gem, we’ve put together all the key information for you.
Where can you lay out your blanket?
In Groningen, you can’t just sit down anywhere. Every year, the Oranjevereniging designates special zones. Most of the official spots are along the famous Singels, such as the Praediniussingel, Ubbo Emmiussingel, Ganzevoortsingel and Coehoornsingel. The Westerhaven is also always very popular, especially for the children’s flea market.
In the city centre, do take care where you sit. You are absolutely not allowed to stand on roundabouts and bridges (such as Emmaplein, Hereplein and the Museumbrug). The organisers and enforcement officers monitor this strictly, as these routes must remain clear for the safety of all visitors.
Important times for sellers
If you want to sell items yourself, you’ll need to get up early. You may start setting up your stall from 07:00. Are you coming by car to unload your goods? Make sure your car is out of the flea market area by 09:00 at the latest, so that people can start browsing safely.
Together we keep the city clean
New this year is the extra focus on the ‘Waste-Free Market’. The City of Groningen is asking everyone not to leave unsold items on the pavement at the end of the day. That’s a shame; many of those items can still be given a second life at a charity shop.
Try holding a big clearance sale at the end of the afternoon, or simply take your remaining items home to sell on Marktplaats or Vinted. That way, we’ll leave the Singels tidy for the rest of the city.
Do you find the hustle and bustle in the city centre a bit too much? There are plenty of local markets buzzing with activity outside the Singels too. In neighbourhoods such as Meerstad, Vinkhuizen, Lewenborg, Ten Boer and De Hunze, lively neighbourhood markets are often organised where you can often find real gems for a song.
Photo/Stella Dekker
