Wintergoud Festival Coming to Groningen, Transforming It Into a Winter Wonderland
Enjoy a month of ice skating, festive markets, and holiday cheer in Groningen’s city centre.
This winter, Groningen’s city centre will transform into a lively holiday festival known as Wintergoud, bringing a month of seasonal events from December 6 to January 5. The event will turn the Grote Markt into a winter wonderland with a covered ice rink, a Ferris wheel, and a cosy winter café. Wintergoud will include a variety of activities and festive decorations throughout the area, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere to attract locals and visitors alike.
The centrepiece of Wintergoud will be the Grote Markt, where a large ice rink will be installed near the Vindicat building. Next to the rink, visitors can warm up with hot chocolate or a special Wintergoud beer at the winter café. Other highlights on the Grote Markt include a festive train for children, a giant Christmas bauble for photo ops, and sixteen charming chalets next to the City Hall, where local businesses will sell Christmas decorations, accessories, and other holiday-themed items.
Adding to the holiday spirit, the popular WinterWelVaart event will return with an expanded setup. From December 13 to 15, a long Christmas market will connect the Hoge der A to the Grote Markt, weaving through streets like Turftorenstraat and Zwanestraat. This expanded route ensures that WinterWelVaart will have ample space, as last year’s crowd exceeded the available space in its original location. This new layout links WinterWelVaart with Wintergoud, allowing festival-goers to seamlessly explore both areas.
Another Christmas market will be held on December 21 and 22, giving shoppers a final chance to find holiday gifts. This market will focus on last-minute shopping, with stalls spread throughout the Grote Markt and Oosterstraat. Special gift-wrapping stations will be available, making it convenient for visitors to wrap their purchases before taking them home. In addition, this year anyone can participate and sell their products at the markets. If you're interested in claiming a stall, you can register directly on the organizer Vitalis’s website here.
Wintergoud’s festivities will also extend beyond the city centre, with holiday events planned in nearby neighbourhoods and villages, including Haren and Ten Boer. With 15 major events and numerous smaller activities scheduled, Wintergoud is expected to draw large crowds and create significant opportunities for local businesses.
Local organisations, including Lutje Lokaal, the Groninger CityClub, Marketing Groningen, and the Roald Dahl Festival, will come together to make Wintergoud a truly one-of-a-kind experience. It is safe to say that the winter market promises to be an unforgettable experience for residents and visitors, making Groningen a top winter destination.