This December, Groningen will welcome a new Christmas market, Wintergoud, which is set to offer an expanded version of the traditional WinterWelVaart market.
Groningen typically held the WinterWelVaart Christmas market along the Hoge and Lage der A, the canal next to Westerhaven that also incorporated the docked boats in the area. Due to last year’s strong attendance, organisers have expanded the market to cover the Grote Markt, adding extra space and holiday charm with new stands and chalets.
Besides the market, Wintergoud will feature an ice skating rink, a winter cafe, and a Ferris wheel. The Grote Markt will be the centre of the festivities, where the covered ice skating rink will be. Next to it you’’ find the winter cafe where you can get hot cocoa or a special Wintergoud beer. Below the trees, in front of the Market Hotel, there will be a small Christmas train for kids.
In front of the city hall, one will find a big slide and 16 wood chalets where Christmas decorations will be sold. Local businesses can hire one of them to sell their items here, either for the WinterWelVaart market or on the festival’s other days.
The whole Wintergoud festival runs between December 6th and January 5th. Between the 13th and 15th December, the expanded WinterWelVaart market will take place. Then on the following weekend, between the 21st and 22nd of December, there will be another Christmas market themed around last-minute Christmas shopping. This market will be located around the Grote Markt and Oosterstraat and shoppers can take advantage of wrapping stations for an extra touch of holiday convenience.
The Grote Markt will be fully decorated with big Christmas trees and Christmas lights. On the star in front of the Market Hotel, there will be bands and choirs performing regularly.
Wintergoud will host a total of 15 major events, alongside smaller gatherings in nearby towns such as Ten Boer.