Making New Friends in Groningen
New in town? Check these simple, low-pressure places to meet people in Groningen fast with clubs, sports, language cafés, volunteering, and citywide events.
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Join one easy, high-frequency community
Pick one hub that runs things every week so you can show up consistently.
ESN Groningen (open to RUG & Hanze students) runs 150+ activities yearly: city tours, parties, culture nights, day trips, sports. Check the events feed (e.g., “ESN Wednesdays”) and their semester Introduction Week.
IWCN (International Welcome Centre North) hosts social clubs, cultural outings and info sessions for internationals. Browse the public events calendar and drop into a free meet-up.
SIB Groningen (internationally oriented student association) holds Monday lectures and social events with an IR/global focus, which is great for conversation starters.
Say yes to a language café
Language exchanges are friendly, structured and low-stakes.
The Language Café Groningen (student collaborations) meets regularly; the format is rotate-and-talk.
The RUG Language Centre lists multiple Groningen language cafés and workshops, including options for English and Dutch practice.
Join a sport (students & non-students)
Shared activity = built-in icebreaker.
Students (RUG/Hanze): ACLO is one of Europe’s largest student sports organisations: 100+ sports, courses, group classes and 50+ student sport associations. It’s built for trying things without pressure.
Non-students: head to Sportcentrum Kardinge for swimming, skating and fitness; the complex runs seasonal ice rink & pool schedules. You’ll bump into plenty of locals at lanes and public sessions.
Add a culture or hobby slot
Arts, improv, dance, photography: hobbies make friendships stick.
USVA (Student Culture Centre) offers affordable courses (dance, music, drama, writing, design) plus jam sessions and pub quizzes; you don’t need to be advanced to start.
Not a student? Audit public workshops, or look for open classes via community listings and venues; many USVA events are open to a wider audience.
Try a volunteering micro-commitment
Volunteering introduces you to Dutch and international locals and gives you something to do together.
Humanitas Groningen runs English-friendly projects (e.g., refugee buddying, friendly contact, practical help). Start with an intake and request a light commitment.
Stichting Present Groningen specialises in one-off or half-day projects (moving help, gardening, social afternoons). Great for bringing a roommate or new friend.
Tip: Ask coordinators which teams skew international if you’re still learning Dutch.
Plug into city-wide events
Signature festivals are perfect for inviting a whole WhatsApp group.
ESNS – Eurosonic Noorderslag (January): Europe’s biggest emerging-music showcase takes over dozens of venues in one week—great for gig-hopping with new friends.
Noorderzon (August): eleven days of theatre, music and arts in Noorderplantsoen offers low-key summer hangouts with free and ticketed shows.
Create a simple open invite: “We’re meeting at 19:30 by the park bridge for Noorderzon. Everyone is welcome to join.”
“I’m not a student, will this still work?”
Yes. IWCN events, language cafés, volunteering projects, Kardinge sessions and city festivals are open to everyone. For professional networking (and new friends), follow Make it in the North events and coworking communities like Launch Café for open meet-ups.
Make one recurring commitment, add a language café, pick a sport or hobby, and say yes to a city event. Repeat for two weeks and you’ll have a real circle, fast.