Party picks:

LOFT: Delfonic & Charlie Smooth + Residents

OOST • The Clubnacht Special

Happy Feelings Groningen | 20 december

OOST • Clash w/ Danny Daze, DJ Leoni and DJ Boeing 747

We made it! The long-anticipated Christmas break has finally arrived. Many of you might already be on holiday or back at your parent’s house, but for the few that are still in Groningen - you’re in for a treat! This weekend might just be the most festive weekend of the year. With Christmas only a few days away, Groningen is as festive as ever! 

Events: 

WinterWelvaart 

Have you seen the boats lit with fairy lights on the Lage and Hoge der A? That is for this weekend’s Christmas spectacle: WinterWelvaart, a very festive, winter festival on the canals of Groningen. All of the boats that are docked in the Lage and Hoge der A are open to the public and inside you’ll find little food markets, book stores, concerts and more. For example, on one of the boats you can find a StuKaFest session, or a little further along you can visit USVA’s activities like live violin music, improv comedy and ‘sea stories’. Along the canals on the streets, there are lots of different Christmassy stands selling Christmas presents, local delicacies, hot chocolate, glühwein and more. 

DOT Party: Het grote kerstbal 

This Friday, you can ring in the Christmas holidays from 3pm onwards at DOT’s Christmas Party! Gather some friends, pull your favorite ugly-Christmas sweater out of the closet (the uglier, the better! Rumor has it there are prizes for the best Christmas sweater) and head out to the world’s biggest Christmas bauble. Out on their terrace you can sip your holiday beverage next to the outdoor fireplaces or play festive games, or you can go inside to enjoy your favorite Christmas songs. 

Vegan Christmas Market

The Vegan Christmas Market has made its return to Groningen! Like last year, you can count on crackling bonfires, vegan glühwein, food trucks and hot chocolate. There will be a wide selection of sustainable gifts for the holidays. With live music and a comfy lounging area, it’s the perfect way to spend your Sunday afternoon in Groningen! 

Ice Skating 

Another must-do activity this weekend is ice-skating! If you haven’t been to the Grote Markt’s ice skating rink yet, this weekend is your chance. The small yet quaint ice skating rink is perfect for hanging out with friends, a date or with family. Afterwards you can recover from it at the Après Ski bar right next to the rink. 

Music

As ever, there are plenty of little concerts all across the city this weekend. With some artists more known than others, there is definitely something for everyone. For example, you can go to a show in the Oosterpoort to see Michael Prins. Simplon will be hosting The Brahms + Ciao Lucifer this Saturday, and on Friday you can see I am Oak + The Fire Harvest at VERA. Or stroll along the boats at WinterWelvaart to see if there is anything playing on one of the boats.

GIF of the Week: