Changes to the Noorderplantsoen
Room for more
This summer, we're turning the Noorderplantsoen into one big, freely accessible stage. This year, you'll find more art, more music, and more performances spread across more spots in the park. The Noorderplantsoen is divided into four areas: Noord, Zuid, Leliesingel, and Kraken, each with its own look and feel. We'll keep building on this in the editions to come.
Noord
In Noord you'll find performance venues Nova - packed with &Society and &Literaturia programming, De Dans - with a new dance to learn every night, and the Basketbalveld - featuring an international show... on wheels. The Muziekkoepel transforms into a film screen showing archive footage. Food trucks are grouped together in a food court, and there are several spots to grab a drink.
De Kraken
Around the pond, a new central meeting spot is taking shape, with terraces (de Stadkant and De Andere Kant) and an unmissable stage & terrace on the water: De Kraken - featuring performances and music. At the crossing with the Leliesingel, you'll find De Winkel (The Shop): tickets, info, and merchandise. Around the pond, you'll find bars and food offerings focused on smaller bites and tapas.
Leliesingel
The Leliesingel becomes the place for all the containers: here you'll wander past small worlds full of big stories. Tickets are available at the box office at the start of the Leliesingel. Also here: a photo exhibition on air guitar and an installation with traffic lights.
Zuid
In Zuid you'll find performance venue the Pollux - packed with &Society and &Literaturia programming, music stage Callisto with several free concerts a day, and De Speelweide with daily shows and activities for kids: tickets here are available at its own ticket point. You'll also find a food court and several bars here, including the wine bar.
More music, in more places
Music stage Apollo is no more, but that doesn't mean music is disappearing from the Noorderplantsoen. Callisto remains the go-to spot for live music in Zuid, and music pops up throughout the rest of the festival too: from performances in unexpected spots to roaming acts and new artists. And keep an eye out for jazz on the roof of the Forum! There's more music than ever.
Art all around you
With the new programme, art spreads further throughout the park. Through initiatives like Buitenkans, makers get the opportunity to test new ideas and performances in the public space. Installations, performances, and encounters appear among the trees, drawing visitors into becoming part of the festival.
After sunset too, in the city too
New this year is a night programme in collaboration with Amarte, taking place at Simplon. Here, Noorderzon carries on once the bars in the park close. There are also activities at various partner venues across the city – Grand Theatre, Forum Groningen, and SPOT/Stadsschouwburg – so Noorderzon spreads throughout Groningen.