Full Program and Highlights of Groningen’s Relief 2025
From dragon boat races to fireworks, here’s what to expect during the city’s annual celebration on August 20–28.
Groningen marks the Relief on Thursday, August 28, with a city-wide program that spans eight days. Expect dragon boat races on the canal, a riverfront concert by the North Netherlands Orchestra, and a big fireworks finale, plus fairs, talks, theatre, and street festivals leading up to the day itself.
Before 28 August
Wed 20 Aug – Thu 28 Aug – Summer fair on the Grote Markt, daily 10:00–24:00.
Sun 24 Aug, 17:00 – Ecumenical memorial service for the 1672 Relief, Martinikerk (“Peace is the Way”).
Wed 27 Aug – Bommen Berend youth theatre at Museum aan de A (try-out 15:30, premiere 19:30) and a public lecture by regional & cultural historian Jochem Abbes at the Doopsgezinde Kerk (19:30–20:30, doors 19:00).
Relief Day — Thursday, 28 August (highlights)
07:45–17:00 – Historical re-enactors around the inner city; 9:00–9:15 bell-ringing at the Martini Tower; 9:30–10:00 wreath-laying at Rabenhaupt’s bust on the Waagplein.
11:30–12:30 – Relief Address by Prof. James Kennedy (Academy Building, UG).
11:00–21:00 – Dragon Boat Races between Kleine der Aa and Pottebakkersrijge; sign-up/info via degroeningerdrakenbootraces.nl.
12:00–18:00 – De Ontzettende Markt at Hoge der A: city-wide makers’ market with music, dance, theatre, workshops, and stalls (plus the dragon boat spectacle on the water).
12:00–20:00 – Bommen Berend Terrace near the A-kerk/Munnekeholm with food, drinks, and live acts.
All day/into evening – Street bands, kids festival (Reitemakersrijge), shanty choir at Westerhaven, parade of barrel organs, salsa on Nieuwe Markt, and roaming dweilorkesten downtown.
21:20–22:20 (approx.) – North Netherlands Orchestra performs Handel’s Music for the Royal Fireworks from a floating stage in the Zuiderhaven.
22:30–23:00 – Grand fireworks over the Zuiderhaven to close the day.
Practical notes
Some activities are free; check individual listings for any registration. Timings and items can change—see volksvermakengroningen.nl for the latest day-by-day timetable.