The summer holidays have begun! Looking for a destination where you can experience something really special? Then come to Groningen. Whether you are travelling with the family, looking for quality time with friends or just want to get inspired, Groningen is the place to be. Here you will find peace and quiet and activity, nature and culture. Be surprised by a medieval feast, a walk through the countryside or a creative summer programme in the middle of the city.
What lives in the ditch?
26 July - Go on an adventure in Groningen and discover what lives in the ditch. With a scoop net and a bucket, look for aquatic animals such as tadpoles, snails and maybe even a water scorpion. With the help of a search card, you will find out what you have caught - educational and fun! The afternoon is divided into two rounds, so choose your favourite time and register quickly. Suitable for children from 6 years of age. Do you have your own scoop net? Feel free to bring it along.
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Summer city for children | Playing, learning and making in the heart of the city
20 July to 4 August - Summer City for children in Groningen will be a party for children! Think creative workshops, cool sports activities, cheerful music and surprising theatre performances. And also fun: it's all free and mainly takes place on the Grote Markt. This year, there is also the Backstage of the City, where children can take a look behind the scenes at places they would not normally visit.
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Groningen 4daagse | Discover every metre more
5 to 8 August - For the first time this summer: the Groningen 4daagse. During four days, participants walk 20 or 40 kilometres daily through the city of Groningen and the surrounding countryside. Blister plasters? Check. Drink mug? Check. But most importantly: a healthy will! Each day, the route takes in a different wind direction, motivating walkers each time by the beautiful surroundings. Who will you take on the bold walking shoes with?
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Harvest festival Verhildersum | Back to the 19th century
9 and 10 August - A visit to Museum Borg Verhildersum is a stap back in time, so there is no better place for the Harvest Festival. All over the grounds, you will meet figures from the 19th century: farmers, burghers and nobility, dressed in historical costumes. Stroll past old crafts, see how people used to harvest and enjoy live music, street theatre, delicious food and a varied children's programme. Back to the 19th century for a while.
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Medieval Ter Apel | With an eye for history
6 and 7 September - During Medieval Ter Apel, imagine yourself in the year 1465. Soldiers, mercenaries, market vendors, craftsmen and musicians have set up camp around the Monastery of Ter Apel. It was quite a journey, but they have come for the traditional annual festival. Here they will trade, feast but also fight on the battlefield. It promises to be a great spectacle for young and old.
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Exhibitions in Groningen | For art and culture lovers
Daily - This summer holiday there is plenty to experience in Groningen for art and culture lovers. Dream away in the colourful exhibitions Welcome to the Dreamhouse and Otherworldly of the Groninger Museum Museum, discover the world of tattoos in the Forum or dive into the secrets of your brain in the Universiteitsmuseum. You can also marvel outside the city. Visit the 80 years of freedom exhibition in Appingedam or Werkman comes home in Leens. For young dreamers, there is the fairytale art of Bijdehansje in Veendam. Where can we see you?
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Niemeyer Factory | The double face of progress
Daily - Want some depth this holiday too? The former Niemeyer factory in Groningen opens its doors to the public. Besides a glimpse into its industrial past, visit Machine Entanglements here. A fascinating exhibition exploring the relationship between humans, technology and ecology. The factory provides the raw backdrop for artworks that highlight both the dark sides and the promise of technology. What does progress mean in a time of climate crisis and AI? The artists challenge you to think about new forms. Extra interesting: the future site of the AI Factory is planned on this spot. So grab your chance to see this extraordinary building now, before it enters a new phase.
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The Province XL | Audio experience on location
Daily - Venture into the Groningen countryside and listen to unique stories with De Provincie XL, a special audio experience by Ruimtereis. At three locations (Tjamsweer, Steendam and Holwierde) you will listen to new stories that connect you to the place where you are. Each story comes to life via a listening device, in the middle of the landscape. Discover Bart and Cor's loving care for the church of Tjamsweer, experience the history and future of camping site De Otter on the Schildmeer and hear how farm Oldenbosch was saved from decay. Listen only on location: go there, take a seat, put on your headphones and discover the story beneath the landscape.
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Barefoot path | Out of the shoes, into the mud
Daily - This summer, take off your shoes and experience nature in a unique way with the Barefoot Path through the park of Landgoed Fraeylemaborg. The name says it all: take off your shoes and socks, and walk! The 3.5-kilometre sensory trail takes you over grass, mud, wooden planks and water features, with balance beams, natural obstacles and wooden installations along the way to stimulate your senses. Suitable for young and old, the path offers a playful experience in the middle of nature. At the end, you can wash your feet and relax after the hike. An ideal outing during the summer holidays for those who want to discover Groningen in a surprising way.
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Sleeping among dinosaurs | Do you dare?
Every Saturday and Sunday - This summer holiday you will experience an exciting adventure at Dinopark & Landgoed Tenaxx in Wedde. Camp among lifelike dinosaurs that are atmospherically lit up at night. During the day, you and your family will discover a world full of exciting activities: treasure hunts, excavations, workshops and much more. New this year is the possibility of staying not just one night, but a whole weekend to enjoy the full Tenaxx adventure. Sleeping under the stars surrounded by prehistoric giants will make this experience an unforgettable memory.
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