Noorderzon

For eleven days, the Noorderzon festival is considered the highlight of the cultural summer in Groningen. Every year, in August a colourful collection of artists and performers invades the attractive Noorderplantsoen park. Noorderzon is now recognised as the festive start of the cultural season and a wonderful end to the summer holiday.

While people commonly refer to it as Noorderzon, the complete name of this festival is Noorderzon Performing Arts Festival Groningen. Every year, over 135,000 visitors go to the free Noorderplantsoen to take in performances and enjoy the special and relaxed atmosphere. The usually peaceful park is filled with outdoor cafés, food stands and many, many lights and artistic installations. At this exciting place, there is something new behind every tree.

In the very heart of the park is the Dok, a special music stage above the pond where each evening various artists from the Netherlands and other countries perform. Inflate your rubber dinghy for a first-class view of the stage or enjoy a beer at the outdoor café by the water, which is just as much fun without risking wet feet.