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Tuesday 19 May 2026 • 6 minutes reading time
On Kingsday 2026, Groningen will once again be decked out in orange. There will be plenty to do in the city, starting the night before. From parties and music to markets and just strolling around, there’s plenty to do to celebrate the king’s birthday. We’ve put together a list of the best activities for you.
On Monday, April 27, the City Park will once again be transformed into a large festival ground during Kingsland. For over 10 years, Kingsland has been the premier King’s Day festival in the Netherlands. The Stadspark will be filled with multiple stages and all kinds of famous artists, such as Roxy Dekker, Lil Kleine, Zoë Tauran, and La Fuente. Put on your orange outfit and celebrate King’s Day in an unforgettable way!
Photo: Bart Heemskerk
Do you want to be at the coolest outdoor party on Kingsday? Then Koningskopje a great option at Stadslab. Here you can enjoy a day filled with dancing, good vibes, delicious food, surprising performances, and the best hip-hop, R&B, Afro, and edits—from oldies to today’s hits. From 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM, it’s nothing but fun. Another festival is Kopjek Kingsday en dit is niet zoals elk ander oranjefeest. Het draait hier namelijk om house en techno muziek met een rauw randje en een strakke line-up. Er heerst een energieke toegankelijke vibe, met publiek dat komt om te dansen en niet om stil te staan. To wrap up Kingsday in style, head over to Club Fixy, where the Kingsday Afterparty is taking place. It starts Monday at 11:00 PM and ends at 5:00 AM. For house and techno fans, this is the place to wrap up King’s Day on the dance floor, with a secret lineup…
Cars out, party in! During this free festival, at Struis The street will be closed to traffic to make room for a stage, where various bands and DJs will perform throughout the day. Struis will make sure your day is complete: from tasty snacks to festive drinks. Everyone is welcome here!
It’s not just the festivals that are buzzing—Groningen’s hospitality scene is buzzing too. At places like De Uurwerker and Pintelier, DJs are spinning tunes in the square and everyone is in a festive mood. Would you rather grab a bite and a drink on a terrace? Then Poeleplein or Gedempte Zuiderdiep are the places to be. Amid the partygoers and cheerful music, you can still soak up the true King’s Day atmosphere there.. In addition, at the Vismarkt there is plenty of entertainment—this is where the main stage is located. On King’s Night, you can visit here from 8:30 PM to 2:00 AM and enjoy performances by various artists and DJs. The next day, on King’s Day, artists and DJs will perform all day long for people of all ages. From an energetic kids’ disco and dance battle in the morning to live music and festive DJs in the afternoon and evening, the atmosphere will be lively all day long.
Of course, flea markets are a must on King’s Day. You’ll find hundreds of stalls filled with goods in Groningen along the Ubbo Emmiussingel, Praediniussingel, Ganzevoortsingel, and Coehoornsingel from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. There’s even a special children’s flea market with music and performances at the Westerhaven.
Photo: Andy Bellm (Pexels)
The king’s birthday is also being celebrated on the canals of Groningen. At Bootje speciaal kun je 1.5 uur varen op een boot met muziekinstallatie en onbeperkte drankjes voor maar 37,50 per persoon! Zo beleef je een onvergetelijke Koningsdag met je vrienden op het water. Ook Boot Groningen make it a party, they offer special rates for groups of 25 or more. With cold drinks and speakers on board, you’ll experience King’s Day in a whole new way.
Groningen is also packed with partygoers on Kingsnight. On Sunday, April 26, the Stadspark will be decked out in orange as the North’s biggest Kingsnight festival kicks off: de Helden van Oranje. At the Helden van Oranje, you’ll sing your heart out along with the biggest Dutch artists, such as Yves Berendse, Frans Duits, Jannes, and more!
On Kingsnight, De Graanfabriek transforms into a dance paradise filled with Happy Feelings, enjoy the best house, disco, and tech house. Featuring Helena Lauwart, Julia van Praag, 22Interns, and Siggy Lou, among others. Expect a magical atmosphere, top DJs, and a crowd that wants only one thing: to have fun together and dance the night away. For a slightly edgier club setting, head to the Zeefgebouw for A Paradigm of Excellence: King’s Night. Get ready for a night of underground house and high-energy club vibes, featuring top-tier artists and in collaboration with CLUB NO WIFI. The industrial atmosphere and energetic crowd combine to create an intense rave experience that you can only truly experience in one place in Groningen: Paradigm.
Finally, on King’s Night, you can head to Uurwerkersplein. The square comes alive with DJ sets, a lively party atmosphere, and delicious drinks—perfect for an evening of dancing and hanging out with friends. This spot right in the heart of Groningen is the place to stop by for a quick visit or stick around for a while.
Photo: Bart Heemskerk
Whether you want to let loose at festivals, browse the flea market, dance until the wee hours, or relax with a drink on a terrace or boat, in Groningen you can celebrate King’s Day exactly the way you want. The city is buzzing, and all around you, you’ll see the festive orange spirit. You can find more events in the city here.
Linde is student Commerciële Economie in Groningen en altijd op zoek naar de leukste plekjes in de stad. Haar ontdekkingen, tips en ervaringen deelt ze hier met veel plezier.
