Groningen – Winterstad Groningen 2026
What to expect
Winterstad Groningen 2026 is the winter hub on Grote Markt from Friday, 27 November 2026, to Sunday, 3 January 2027. The Christmas market with rides, a Ferris wheel and an ice rink is part of the city programme Wintergoud. Here you can browse the stalls, enjoy attractions with your family and then stop by the winter café.
Winterstad Groningen 2026: Funfair and Christmas market
Grote Markt in Groningen is the main venue. The organiser announces gifts, winter food and festive lighting. There is also a Ferris wheel, the Christmas Ride and a Christmas train. Other activities are aimed at children. The rides are therefore an important part of the winter experience. There is also an ice rink where you can skate using your own or hired skates.
Winterstad Groningen 2026 opening times
The official Winterstad website lists daily opening hours of 11 to 22 for the ice rink and rides. The Christmas market is open from 11 to 21. According to the organiser, it may stay open until midnight when it is very busy. Separate opening hours of 11 to 0 are listed for food and drink outlets and the Ferris wheel. The times shown here therefore apply to the ice rink and rides. Market stalls have different opening times. Special holiday opening times have not yet been reliably published. Check them before you travel.
Wintergoud: the wider programme in Groningen
Winterstad is part of Wintergoud, the city-wide winter programme. This includes other markets and activities, such as WinterWelVaart along the historic canals. This event has its own opening times. The Wintergoud website confirms that it starts on 27 November 2026 and ends on 3 January 2027. However, not all programme events have the same opening times. You should therefore check the details for each event separately.
Ferris wheel, ice rink and winter café
You can easily combine a walk around the market with a skate on the ice rink or a ride on the Ferris wheel. According to Winterstad, the Ferris wheel offers views over the city centre. Musical events are planned at the winter café. However, individual performance dates and times for 2026 have not yet been confirmed. That is why no concert dates have been made up here. Neither the operators nor fixed individual prices for the Christmas Ride and Christmas train have been confirmed yet.
Admission and getting to Grote Markt
Wintergoud lists many free activities, but notes that attractions and food and drink cost extra. You should therefore budget for additional costs for rides and skating. Grote Markt is in the heart of the city centre. Public transport or a bicycle may be convenient. For current travel information, Wintergoud refers visitors to Groningen Bereikbaar. If you are travelling by car, check the latest access and parking options in advance.
Discover more dates in the Kirmestermine calendar. Find the latest information directly from Winterstad Groningen and in the official Wintergoud programme.
Highlights at a glance
What Winterstad Groningen has to offer
- Ice rink / curling
- Ferris wheel
- Special lighting / world of lights
- Children's area / fairy-tale forest
More to experience in Groningen
AdvertisingRides & attractions
1Getting there & services
Winterstad is on Grote Markt in Groningen city centre. For current travel information by bus, train, bicycle and car, the official Wintergoud website refers visitors to Groningen Bereikbaar. Check the information there before travelling, as traffic measures may be in place.
- Good public transport links / special services
- Accessible with some difficultyWheelchair & pushchair
Good to know
- The 11–22 times listed in the MEC schedule apply to rides and the ice rink. The Christmas market is open from 11–21 (with a possible extension), and food and drink outlets and the Ferris wheel from 11–00, according to Winterstad. Holiday variations have not yet been confirmed individually. Each Wintergoud event has its own opening times.
Frequently asked questions
When does Winterstad Groningen 2026 take place?
From Friday, 27 November 2026, to and including Sunday, 3 January 2027, on Grote Markt in Groningen.
What is the difference between Winterstad and Wintergoud?
Winterstad is the winter event with a funfair, Christmas market and ice rink on Grote Markt. Wintergoud is the wider programme, with several events in Groningen.
When do the rides operate?
The organiser lists daily opening hours of 11 to 22 for the rides. They may stay open longer when it is busy; check for separate holiday opening times.
When is the Christmas market open?
According to Winterstad, it is open daily from 11 to 21; when it is busy, the market may stay open longer. Opening hours of 11 to 0 are listed for food and drink outlets and the Ferris wheel.
Which attractions have been announced?
Winterstad features a Ferris wheel, an ice rink, the Christmas Ride, a Christmas train and activities for children, among other things.
Is admission free?
Wintergoud includes many free activities. Rides, the ice rink and food and drink cost extra; individual prices for the 2026 edition have not yet been verified.
How do I get to Grote Markt?
Grote Markt is in central Groningen. The official Wintergoud website refers visitors to Groningen Bereikbaar for up-to-date travel and traffic information.
