Summer in Groningen is buzzing with a lively atmosphere. During Zomerstad, there’s plenty to do throughout the city. Stroll through the city centre, let the programme surprise you and enjoy long summer days full of culture, music and atmosphere.
For children - 11, 12, 18, 19 & 29 July – from 12 noon to 5 pm
Have your say | Saturday 11 July
Nieuwe Markt – We’ll kick off the first day of Zomerstad at the Nieuwe Markt, where we’ll be hosting a variety of workshops and you can get creative at the craft hut throughout the day. There’ll be TikTok dance workshops, the biggest game of musical chairs is back, and you can make some noise at the bucket drumming workshop. Parents are, of course, welcome to join in with their children too.
- 12:00 – 12:45 Dance
- 12:45 – 13:30 Bucket drumming
- 13:30 – 14:15 Musical chairs
- 14:15 – 15:00 Dance
- 15:00 – 15:45 Bucket drumming
- 15:45 – 16:30 Musical chairs
- 16:30 – 17:00 Dance
Groningen on air | Sunday 12 July
Grote Markt & Vismarkt – Come and bounce at the very biggest bouncy castle festival on the Grote Markt and the Vismarkt! Let off steam on the many bouncy castles and enjoy an afternoon full of fun. On the Grote Markt , you can also have your face painted or choose a cheerful glitter tattoo. A fun activity for the whole family during Zomerstad.
Football and fun | Saturday 18 July
A-kerkhof & Westerhaven – Today is all about football and fun! At the Westerhaven venue, you can take part in freestyle football workshops at set times. You can also visit the Groninger museum caravan, where you can make hip-hop and graffiti buttons as part of the exhibition. In addition, at the A-kerkhof, you can make kites with the Young Researchers throughout the day. For even more fun, you can also learn from the Bubble Professor today how to create your own super-sized soap bubbles.
- Freestyle football workshop 1 at 13:00–13:30
- Freestyle football workshop 2 at 14:00–14:30
- Freestyle football workshop 3 at 15:00–15:30
- Freestyle football workshop 4 at 16:00–16:30
Circus festival | Sunday 19 July
Vismarkt - On Sunday, you can watch circus performers take to the stage at the Vismarkt! After the performances, you can even learn some circus tricks yourself. You can also let your hair down in the Silent Disco tent, joining in a conga line with everyone else! What’s more, you can make your own bracelet at any time. And don’t forget to pick up a lovely balloon animal too.
- 12:00 – 12:30 Circus Acts
- 12:45 – 13:30 Children can try out circus props for themselves
- 13:45 – 14:15 Circus Acts
- 14:30 - 15:15 Children can try out circus props for themselves
- 15:30 – 16:00 Circus Acts
- 16:15 – 17:00 Children can try out circus props for themselves
Closing party | Wednesday 29 July
Grote Markt – On the very last day of Zomerstad Groningen, we’ll round things off at the Grote Markt with a mix of sport and craft activities. You can learn BMX tricks (a precursor to the Red Bull District Ride). You can also relax and watch the ‘little puppets’ performances. Throughout the day, there’s the chance to craft your own vehicle or outfit and take part in one of the parades. Club Ocean41 is also opening its doors! Between 14:00 and 16:00, you can dance in a proper club – after all, where do all those adults and students go in the evening? Do pop along to the kids-friendly club!
- 12:30 – 12:45 Puppet show
- 13:30 – 13:45 Puppet show
- 14:00 – 14:20 Join the parade with your creation! It starts and ends at the Grote Markt.
- 14:30 – 14:45 Puppet show
- 15:00 – 15:20 Join the parade with your creation! The parade starts and ends at the Grote Markt.
- 15:30 – 15:45 Puppet show
- 16:30 – 16:50 Join the parade with your creation! Starts and finishes at the Grote Markt
