The May holidays are just around the corner, which means Groningen is set to transform into one big playground. From Saturday 25 April to Sunday 3 May 2026, the city and the province will be buzzing with activities. Whether you’re into culture, nature or action, we’ve put together a list of the absolute highlights for you.
The weather: Layers are your best friend
Let’s be honest: the weather in Groningen is always a surprise in May. The forecast for 2026 suggests a typical Dutch spring with temperatures between 12 and 15 degrees. Our tip? Wear layers! A good hoodie under a raincoat is perfect for a day at the flea market or in the park.
King’s Day and Orange Fever
On Monday 27 April, the whole city turns orange. For families, the day often begins at the Westerhaven, where the children’s flea market forms a ribbon of blankets. Here, young entrepreneurs sell their old toys and homemade biscuits. Whilst the city centre fills with music and conviviality, festival-goers find their spot in the Stadspark for the Kingsland Festival. Bear in mind that the weather in April can be changeable; layers of clothing are your best defence against the Groningen wind.
Tulips and Nature
You don’t need to head to the Randstad for fields in bloom. In the Groningen Hogeland, around villages such as Uithuizermeeden, the tulips are in full bloom. It’s the perfect time to grab the car or bike and explore the colourful routes.
Would you rather stay closer to the city? The Noorderplantsoen is beautiful in spring with all the blossoms. For children who love mud and building huts, De Onlanderij in Eelderwolde is highly recommended. Here they can play undisturbed with water and wood, or pop in to stroke the cows in the barn.
Culture in bad weather
Should the rain be pouring down, Forum Groningen offers a solution. Children can entertain themselves for hours in Storyworld, the museum dedicated to comics and games. The Groninger Museum is also a hit; the colourful building really captures the imagination and in the museum workshop, children can often get creative themselves.
Read also: Things to do in Groningen in bad weather (indoors)
Things to do in the province
For a day out of town, Dinopark Landgoed Tenaxx in Wedde is a must-visit for young adventurers. There, you can walk amongst lifelike dinosaurs. A ride on the historic steam train of the STAR Museum Railway between Stadskanaal and Veendam is also a nostalgic outing for the whole family. For older children, there is an exciting ‘Hunting Season’ game in Borgerswold on Friday 1 May, where they must stay out of the hands of hunters with drones.
Liberation Day to round things off
Although the official school holidays will be over for most people by then, we’ll round off the period on Tuesday 5 May with the Liberation Festival in the Stadspark. This free festival is one of the largest in the Netherlands and features an extensive ‘Kids Area’ with theatre and workshops, making it a celebration for all generations.
