Culture & events
Did you know that Groningen has the richest cultural offering of all the provinces in the Netherlands? Part of this is because of the high density of cultural venues in the city.
On this page we provide an overview of the main cultural institutions.
Museums
- Groningen Museum - iconic museum showcasing contemporary art, fashion and design.
- Museum aan de A (former "Noordelijk Scheepvaartmuseum") - amazing collection on the history of shipping in the Northern Netherlands.
- University Museum - house museum of the University of Groningen, with an impressive collection of scientific instruments, specimens and an activities programme.
- GRID graphic museum - museum of graphic art, with activities programme and courses for children and adults.
Have a look at the complete overview of museums in and outside the city.
Theatres
- SPOT - Stadsschouwburg and Oosterpoort, the main theatre venues with a joint website. They host a varied programme of theatre, dance and music performances. Here you can find the offering suitable for non-Dutch speakers.
- NITE - home base of the Northern Dutch Theatre group (NNT) and contemporary dance company Club Guy & Roni. All performances are subtitled and / or accessible to English speakers.
- Forum - a multidisciplinary cultural centre, organising films, workshops, talks, festivals, children's activities and much more at all of their locations in the city of Groningen. The Forumbuilding located in the heart of Groningen opened in 2019.
- Martiniplaza - large theatre with varied offering including cabaret, musical, dance, sport and family-friendly performances.
- Aa-theater - small local theatre for Groningen-based theatre.
Main contemporary art galleries
- Kunstpunt Groningen - Centre for Visual Art. You can also loan pieces from their large library of local contemporary art.
- NP3 - platform for contemporary art over three locations in the city.
- SIGN gallery - interdisciplinary platform for contemporary experimental art.
- Noorderlicht - photographic gallery, hosts an annual international photo festival and the World Press photo exhibition.
- Lichtzone - photographic collective and gallery.
- Ann’s Art - connection between artists and buyers.
- Pictura - provides space for artists and performing arts.
Live music venues
Groningen is a city for live music! There are hundreds of small venues for live music, too many to list here. Here are some of the most well-known ones.