35th edition of Noorderzon welcomes 135,000 visitors and sold-out venues with an urgent program reflecting today’s issues
On Sunday, August 24, the 35th edition of Noorderzon Festival of Performing Arts & Society in Groningen came to a successful close. The eleven-day arts festival opened on August 14 during a heatwave, faced shifting weather, and ended with a sunny Sunday. Around 135,000 visitors found their way to the Noorderplantsoen.
Twelve packed venues across the city center and fifteen vibrant stages in the festival heart of the Noorderplantsoen together hosted a daring international theater and dance program, thought-provoking talks and discussions, a wide-ranging music line-up, and a free city celebration for everyone. More than a thousand performances, concerts, and lectures reached an average venue occupancy of 83%. Once again, Noorderzon proved why it is considered the highlight of Groningen’s summer. As Alderman for Culture Kirsten de Wrede said at the opening: “Noorderzon is an annual landmark for Groningen, just like Christmas.”
Across the city, from all over the world
From boundary-pushing circus by Baro d’evel (France) to AI choreography in Plagiary by Alisdair Macindoe (Australia), and from theater as resistance in La Luz de un Lago by Spain’s El Conde de Torrefiel to a dreamlike ode to motherhood by Albanian-Greek maker Mario Banushi. From intimate plays by Serbia’s Heartefact to experimental performances by Lebanon’s Zoukak: Noorderzon 2025 highlighted the issues shaping our times.
The social program, divided into themes Rebellion, She, and City & Countryside, sparked urgent conversations on activism, gender differences in healthcare, women’s rights, (digital) protest culture, the imagination of the countryside, and nightlife culture. With guests such as Pepijn Lanen, the Dolle Mina’s, Benjamin Herman, and Nienke ’s Gravemade, the themes smoldering in society found fertile ground in the venues. The audience’s eagerness to continue the conversations was palpable.
&Literaturia presented sharp columns, hilarious “itch words,” climate talks, poetry, and deep explorations of heritage, identity, and farewells, with contributions by Japke-d. Bouma, Harm Edens, and Barbara Stok. The Speelweide in the Noorderplantsoen transformed into a lively festival village for children, with short plays, creative workshops, and playful installations. Local theater was presented in intimate settings in the container program, while the largely free music program featured artists such as MT Jones (UK), LA LOM (US), MJ Lenderman & The Wind (US), Hanggai (CN), Trousdale (US), Rogê (BR), and many local heroes.
A strong edition, but finances remain a concern
Despite a successful edition, the festival’s financial position remains an ongoing challenge. Managing Director Rutger Gernandt explains:
“Our financial situation has improved compared to last year, so we’re heading in the right direction. But to continue organizing Noorderzon on the same scale in the future, we will need to secure additional funding sources. The artistic and social value of Noorderzon is undeniable, but we cannot do it alone. We need all of Groningen: visitors, volunteers, businesses, funds, institutions, and partners. Noorderzon belongs to all of us.”
Once again, Noorderzon brought the world to Groningen. The festival unites art, society, and audiences, making urgent themes from both the world and Groningen tangible. Noorderzon 2026 will take place from Thursday, August 13 to Sunday, August 23.
Noorderzon in de pers
“The themes in the mentioned performances are burning issues in the Netherlands as well, but it is inspiring to see how brilliantly artists in countries like Bolivia and Serbia give them form. That makes Noorderzon a special, valuable festival.”
— Ron Rijghard, NRC
“This 35th edition of one of the most exciting performing arts festivals in the Netherlands seems to focus, among other things, on our shared responsibility in raising the next generation.”
— Annette Embrechts, De Volkskrant
“The incomparable Groningen Noorderzon festival aims to serve the widest possible audience.”
— Javier López Piñón, Theaterkrant
“Noorderzon is once again on a strong path, with originality as its tradition. Many of the festival’s performances in Groningen attracted large crowds. Tents dedicated to current themes in debate format were especially packed.”
— Eric Nederkoorn, Dagblad van het Noorden