As soon as the first rays of sunshine hit the Grote Markt, every Groningen resident starts to get excited: the festival season is on its way! Our city is known for its quirky events, from deep techno in industrial estates to Celtic folk in the park. To help you plan your summer to the full, we’ve listed the 9 absolute highlights of 2026 for you.
1. Kingsland Festival (April)
The kick-off to the big festival season traditionally takes place on King’s Day, Monday 27 April 2026. The Stadspark will then be decked out entirely in orange for Kingsland. This is the North’s biggest dance event during the King’s birthday celebrations. With a line-up full of top DJs, spectacular stages and thousands of revellers, this is the place to be to celebrate the national holiday in style.
2. Groningen Liberation Festival (May)
On Tuesday 5 May 2026, we will celebrate freedom at the Stadspark racecourse. The Groningen Liberation Festival is one of the largest in the Netherlands and always features a strong mix of well-known headliners, local talent and depth with the ‘Freedom Lectures’. The best thing about this festival? The unique atmosphere where young and old come together to reflect on our freedom.
3. Wolter Wolthers Festival (May)
We’re kicking off the season with a generous dose of glitter and disco balls. On Saturday 23 May, Groningen will once again transform into a tribute to the 70s and 80s. The Wolter Wolthers Festival is the event for anyone who loves groovy basslines and a laid-back atmosphere. Whether you’re coming for the classic disco hits or the modern house edits, standing still simply isn’t an option. Don’t forget to dig out your most colourful outfit from the wardrobe!
4. Rapalje Zomerfolk (June)
Over the weekend of 6 and 7 June, you’ll feel as though you’ve been transported to the Scottish Highlands or the Irish countryside in the Stadspark. Zomerfolk is much more than just a music festival; it’s a complete experience. While the lads from Rapalje fill the field with Celtic folk music, you can wander through the market full of crafts or take part in an Irish dance workshop. A perfect day out for both seasoned folk fans and families.
5. Hongerige Wolf Festival (July)
For culture lovers who like to venture off the beaten track, the Hungry Wolf Festival takes place over the weekend of 10–12 July. In this tiny village set amidst the vast Groningen countryside, art, theatre and music come together. What makes this festival special is its intimate scale: performances take place in back gardens, barns or simply on the dyke with views over the salt marshes.
6. Paradigm Festival (August)
Fans of the electronic underground have known it for a long time: the Suikerunie site is the place to be. On Saturday 8 August, the main Paradigm festival takes place here. Amidst the industrial remnants of the old factory, you can enjoy the best techno and house. The artistic décor and the liberal atmosphere make this one of the most unique festival experiences in the Netherlands.
7. Groningens Ontzet (August)
On Friday 28 August, the whole city turns red and white. Bommen Berend is the day we celebrate the city’s freedom, and in 2026 we’re doing it in style. With stages spread throughout the city centre, the traditional fair and a spectacular finale, this is the festival every resident of the city (and surrounding villages) looks forward to.
8. Noorderzon (August)
From 20 to 30 August, the Noorderplantsoen transforms into a cultural wonderland. Noorderzon is the perfect blend of a cosy terrace visit and high-quality international theatre. Whether you buy a ticket for an avant-garde performance in a shipping container or simply sit by the pond with a glass of wine watching the world go by: Noorderzon is the beating heart of the Groningen summer.
9. Hullabaloo (September)
We’ll be bringing the summer to a spectacular close in the Stadspark on 5 and 6 September. Hullabaloo has become a fixture for anyone who loves big pop names and an Instagram-worthy backdrop. The festival site feels like a colourful dream world where you go from one surprise to the next. The ideal way to dance away your last bit of holiday energy before university and college get back into full swing.
Photo/Stella Dekker
