The wait is over: the renovations on the Grote Markt are complete.

We have a beautifully redesigned square, featuring water elements, a nice amount of organised trees, and plenty of seating areas. Soon there will be a celebration to officially open the Grote Markt! 

Attend ‘Your Grote Markt Festival’ for FREE!

Your Grote Markt Festival will be organised at Saturday, June 1, 2024. 

This free event is packed with activities for all ages and you have activities the full day. There will be music and dance, a kids' area by the water feature, an audio tour on the history of the Grote Markt, and theatrical performances. 

We made a list of what you can expect during this day and the program ends at midnight. 

The program ends at midnight. Will you go and celebrate your Grote Markt on Saturday, June 1, 2024?

Head Acts during Your Grote Markt Festival

Zoë Tauran 

Zoë Tauran, known today as one of the most promising talents in the Dutch music industry, has a beautiful, soulful voice and a poppy R&B sound. Growing up in Roden in a musical family with Moluccan/Dutch roots, Zoë's big break came when she opened for the hugely successful band Coldplay. She and her band performed for four days at the Johan Cruijff ArenA. With a full festival summer, her first participation in ‘The Streamers’ and 'Vrienden van Amstel Live', 2024 sees Zoë embarking on her own sold-out 'Therapie Tour'. Especially for the opening of the Grote Markt, she will give a spectacular show in Groningen.

Broken Brass

Celebrating their 10th anniversary, Broken Brass is charging towards their 700th show this year. Their infectious feel-good music blends Funk, Afro-beat, and New Orleans flavors, creating a worldwide sensation. After successful tours in 16 countries and six studio albums, Broken Brass is back with a new yet familiar sound. Get ready for carefree, steaming summer beats and danceable brass. This no-nonsense brass band is a must-see live!

Misfit presents: DJ Tommy Green

Meet Tommy Green, a seasoned 30-year-old DJ from Groningen, Netherlands. Driven by his love for Hip-hop culture and music, Tommy honed his skills with two turntables and a mixer. What started as a hobby grew into a recognized talent through various DJ battles, showcasing his unique style of mixing, scratching, and mastering multiple music genres in one set. Tommy's distinctive style has taken him to many events and festivals, such as Hullabaloo, Happy Feelings, and Rewind Amsterdam.

Dancing by the Bus

Remember the legendary bus at the Liberation Festival? Dancing by the bus is a party within a party! The organizers of BRAAI, Roodkopje, and Relate Radio are putting together a fantastic event with the coolest DJs. Come and dance!

Side Program

University of Groningen / House of Connections

Who is behind the design of the new Grote Markt? What are the future plans for this square and the city? Learn about these and more during various lectures.

Martinikerk

Enjoy performances by various choirs in this beautiful church at the Grote Markt, the Martinikerk.

Grand Theatre Program

The Grand Theatre offers free tours for those interested in exploring behind the scenes. Learn about the architecture and rich history of our iconic building, which has been a vibrant center of creativity and culture for decades. Tours are at 12:30, 14:00, and 15:30. Sign up quickly via this link, as spots are limited!

Tickets are available via Grand Theatre 

The Market Hotel Program

The Market Hotel is offering tours to celebrate the opening of the Grote Markt. Alongside the development  of the New Market and the Big Market, this stylish hotel has risen. Besides the rooms, wellness, and restaurant, visitors will have the opportunity to visit the rooftop terrace. Tours are given on Saturday, June 1, between 12:00 and 13:00. Sign up at the reception desk.

ABN AMRO Program

Expect the unexpected during the opening of the doors of the ABN AMRO Bank Office! How a being in a bank office can be fun?

They made a special program for kids and adults to attend, from 12:00 to 17:00. 

- Artist Erik Zwezerijnen has designed a beautiful coloring page specifically for this festive day. The coloring contest, with great prizes, is for children up to 12 years old, with two age categories: up to 6 years and 6 to 12 years.
- Photo Exhibition Grote Markt: We have a stunning exhibition of photos of the Grote Markt through the years.
- Art Exhibition Erik Zwezerijnen: Groningen's artist Erik Zwezerijnen showcases his finest works, featuring many familiar scenes from Groningen.
- Delicious Ice Cream for Children and Coffee for Adults: Ice cream and coffee are available for 1 euro.
- Charity: Proceeds from the ice cream and coffee will be donated to the Youth Education Fund. Additionally, ABN AMRO will donate 1 euro for each submitted coloring page to the same fund.

Bouma Stage

You can sit here at the Grote Markt on the chairs and enjoy poetry, literature, and beautiful live music 

Walk with Jos Clemens: The Courtyard Man

Jos Clemens, one of the many personas of comedian Wabbesch Wabbesch, is one of the most exciting courtyard guides. How does he think about the renewed Grote Markt? What are the similarities between the square and courtyards? He will take you on a mind-blowing walk (at 12:30/ 14:30/ 16:00 and 17:30 PM) from Waagplein, it will take apm. 30 minutes.

Music by De Koots

Danceable and energetic Dutch pop music full of humor that will get everything from strollers to hip replacements moving. These fun guys are groovy and funny and goofy. You can enjoy catchy guitar riffs, tight rhythms, and choruses that stick with you for weeks. De Koots will get you dancing in their world where humor and fun are central. And that’s definitely worth it. Not sure? Just check their playlist on Spotify! This is organised on several locations around the Grote Markt, so please check the timetable below.

Water Fun with DRUKCollectief

Sarah van der Meere and Afra Rijkhoff of DRUKCollectief will emerge as two mermaids by the fountains. Come dip your feet in the water, participate in a rubber duck race, and much more! We will be there all day from 12:00 to 17:00.

Salsa Dancing from Your Terrace Chair

Learn salsa while relaxing on the terrace? With SalsaRoy's pop-up workshop, you’ll soon be dancing with the whole terrace! This salsa king gets everyone out of their seats.

Music with Bazzookas

The formation of Bazzookas (2009) can be compared to the discovery of gunpowder. The resulting explosion is like the music of Bazzookas; magical, explosive, and epic! The band is the band, the songs are the songs, so the place and the audience make the difference. Their interactive show and the fact that they clearly have so much fun on stage create a unique performance. 400 shows later, the audience is still blown away by the energy Bazzookas brings. Their goal: Perform as if their lives depend on it!

Location: City Hall

Learn more about your Grote Markt and view the exhibition of archaeological finds from the Grote Markt. It will start at 12:00 AM.

Silent Disco

A two-channel silent disco zooming through as many wrong but especially danceable hits as possible. Martin and Sander once made dance floors unsafe as Harde Baas and Sander Sittn! They were also known as Ellendeling for their hard-hitting sound. Tonight, no techno, but pop, disco, house, funk, and everything danceable. After a ride on the Ellende Express, you won’t want to get off! It will start at 19:30 PM at the City Hall

Kids Area at the Water fountain

Kids activities are being organised from 12:00 to 16:30 PM

Building the Grote Markt with Avitec

For over a year and a half, Avitec worked on the redesign of the Grote Markt. Come play with remote-controlled excavators and drive on the mini Grote Markt, test your skills on an electric mini-excavator, and learn about the infiltration system installed under the pavement of the Grote Markt. Join the competition and win a fun prize!

GRID

Be surprised and inspired by the Printmaker from GRID Graphic Museum Groningen! This mobile museum print shop will be at the Kids area all afternoon. Come by and print your own bag with unique designs made especially for this day!

VRIJDAG

Do you love parties, streamers, and making things? Then you are in the right place with VRIJDAG. On June 1, we will be designing, making, and printing stamps! In no time, you will have your own cool flags made with us, which will be fluttering together in the wind!

Groninger Museum Mini Museum

The Groninger Museum hits the road! A converted Airstream caravan into a mini museum travels through the province, including a visit to Your Grote Markt Festival. 

The Groninger Museum collaborates with the ELJA Foundation to introduce children and young people to art and culture in a playful way. In the mini museum, kids and teens will work with museum educators on a creative workshop. Besides attending festivals, the mini museum will also visit various primary and secondary schools, cultural centers, community centers, and other events in Groningen over the next two years.

Timetable

We are not leaving you in the dark when it comes to exact times! Check the full time table below

Food & Drinks

Enjoy food courts with various delicious snack carts and bars where you can have a drink on the XL terraces starting from the afternoon.

Practical

The event is free and open to all ages. Everyone can enjoy!

Toilets

The public and free restrooms are located at the Grote Markt and at the north side of the City Hall. And these are high class toilets and  really clean!