Noorderzon turns the Noorderplantsoen park in Groningen into a summer meeting place for international performing arts. The city park itself and a wide range of free activities stay open to everyone, while most theatre, dance and music performances need a separate ticket. Understanding that split before you arrive makes it easier to plan a day or an evening without surprises.
The official Noorderzon website explains the ticketing system in more detail for each edition, including any changes to sales dates or prices. Since the programme and ticket policies can be adjusted every year, checking the current information shortly before your visit is the most reliable way to stay up to date.
Free park programme vs paid performances
The Noorderplantsoen is freely accessible throughout the festival, and the organisers say they keep an extensive free programme within the park. That free programme can include open-air stages, art installations, talks and casual activities, which makes it possible to enjoy the atmosphere without buying a ticket for anything. For a broader view of what the park offers, consult the Noorderzon festival Groningen guide.
Most of the official programme, however, does require a paid ticket. This includes performances in tents, the Spiegeltent and other venues, as well as concerts and theatre shows that are listed on the festival programme page. Some events are free, while others ask for advance booking, so it is worth checking each show individually before you decide what to see.
How to buy tickets
The main way to buy tickets is online through the official programme page on noorderzon.nl. You can order from a computer, tablet or mobile phone, and tickets stay on sale online until shortly before a performance begins. If a show is not sold out, you can also buy a ticket on the spot from your phone.
During the festival, you can buy tickets and get advice at De Winkel, the festival shop, which is open daily from mid-afternoon until late, with extended hours on weekends. There is also a dedicated box office on the Leliesingel for shows in the containers and other performances, and a separate box office on the Speelweide for the children's programme.
If you prefer talking to a person, the ticket sales department has a phone line, with opening hours that vary between July, August and the festival days themselves. The organisers also ask that you email tickets@noorderzon.nl for accessibility-related requests or if you have not received your e-tickets within 24 hours.
Online booking step by step
Booking online starts by selecting a specific performance on the programme page and clicking the purchase button. If you are new to the system, you need to create a username and password, and you can keep adding more shows by returning to the programme overview before you check out.
Payments are handled with iDEAL through your own bank or by credit card (Visa or Mastercard). Each completed online transaction carries a service cost: €1 for iDEAL and €1.50 for credit card payments. There is no general postage fee because tickets arrive as e-tickets. For current service fees and payment details, refer to the ticketing information on the official Noorderzon site.
E-tickets are delivered by email as PDF attachments, and you need to show the file itself, printed or on your phone, to be admitted. The confirmation email is not a valid ticket, and you should set your phone's brightness high so the barcode can be scanned easily.
Ticket prices and service costs
The organisers consciously keep performance prices low to make the programme accessible, and they do not publish a standard price list in their ticketing information. The actual price depends on the show, the venue and the edition, so the most reliable way to budget is to open the specific performance on the programme page. Before you book, you can also check the Discover Groningen event page for an overview of the festival.
The service costs are fixed: €1 per completed online transaction via iDEAL and €1.50 via credit card, as published in the festival's ticketing rules. Since these fees apply per order rather than per ticket, buying tickets for several shows in one transaction can save you money on service costs.
Noorderzon publishes exact prices for the paid performances only for each season, so for current rates check the official programme page or the Discover Groningen listing before you book.
Tokens for the children's programme
Small shows and hands-on activities at the Speelweide, the festival's children's area, are paid for on-site with special tokens instead of regular tickets. You pay one token per activity, and tokens can be bought at the box office on the Speelweide, where you can also buy tickets for the Grote Beer and Kleine Beer shows.
A single token costs €4, or you can buy a package of three tokens for €10, saving €2 compared with buying them individually. Payment for tokens is pin-only, so keep your bank card handy when you head to the children's area.
Ticket discounts and passes
Noorderzon rewards loyal visitors and those who plan to see multiple shows. Friends of the festival get 24-hour early access during each sales round, and there are discounts available when you buy tickets for several performances, especially by the same artist.
Discounts cannot usually be combined, and the exact criteria for multi-show offers are explained on the official discount page. If you are coming as a group, the festival also has a dedicated group arrangement team that can help you choose a suitable show and book a package.
The Give an Encore option lets you add a small donation when buying a ticket online. Money from this scheme goes through the Quiet Groningen Foundation to help people who cannot afford a ticket themselves, offering a straightforward way to support access without affecting your own booking.
Important ticketing rules
Every visitor, from 0 to 99 years old, needs their own ticket for any performance, including children who sit on a parent's lap. You can order a maximum of six tickets per person per show, which is worth keeping in mind if you are coordinating a larger group. The official ticketing rules list these limits and other conditions.
Admission is not possible after a show has started, so the organisers recommend arriving early. Seating is unreserved, meaning you choose your place once inside, and there are no exchanges or refunds unless a performance is cancelled.
Pets are not allowed at the festival, and the programme is generally aimed at adults unless a show's description on the website says it is suitable for children. Always check the individual show page before bringing a younger audience member.
Accessibility ticketing
If you use a wheelchair, you can buy a separate wheelchair ticket for many performances, giving you a designated space. For other mobility impairments, the organisers ask that you email tickets@noorderzon.nl so they can help arrange suitable access.
The festival also publishes accessibility information on its website before each edition, including details about the park terrain and the venues. If you need specific support, contacting the ticket office directly is more reliable than relying on general assumptions.
When to buy tickets
Noorderzon sells tickets in several stages: Friends of the festival get a 24-hour head start, followed by general sales for the international main programme and later for the full programme. These dates change each year, so watch the official website for the upcoming edition's schedule.
For the most popular shows, early purchase is strongly advised because many performances sell out well before the festival begins. During the festival itself, new tickets for some container shows become available each day, giving you a second chance if you missed the advance window. For insights on the festival's atmosphere and history, the Discover Groningen event page provides useful context.
Practical tips for festival planning
Download the Noorderzon app to browse the programme, buy last-minute tickets and find up-to-date information about show times and locations. The app is useful because online sales stay open until just before a performance starts, provided it is not sold out.
If you are visiting from outside the Netherlands, remember that most performances are accessible to non-Dutch speakers: many are language-free or include English subtitles. This makes the festival a practical choice for international visitors to Groningen who want to catch theatre, dance or music without a language barrier.
For a broader look at cultural events across the country, you can explore the festivals in Netherlands. And if you want to compare other Groningen happenings, the Eurosonic Noorderslag in Groningen offers a winter alternative, while Groninger Museumnacht lights up the city's museums in autumn.
Plan Your Visit
A successful Noorderzon visit starts with understanding the ticketing system: the park and its free programme are open to everyone, while most performances need a paid ticket. Booking online with iDEAL or a credit card is straightforward, and buying multiple shows in one order helps reduce service charges.
Remember that children's activities use a token system (€4 per token, €10 for three), discounts are available to Friends and multi-show buyers, and you need a ticket for everyone from 0 to 99 years old. Always check the official website for the current edition's dates, prices and sales windows, because these change every year.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Noorderzon ticket cost?
Noorderzon does not publish a standard price list in its ticketing information. The price depends on the specific show, venue and edition, so check the official programme page for each performance. You will always see the exact price before you confirm your booking.
Are there free performances at Noorderzon?
Yes. The Noorderplantsoen park is freely accessible, and the festival includes an extensive free programme of open-air stages, installations and activities. Some events are completely free, while others require advance booking, so check the programme for each event.
How do Noorderzon tokens work?
Tokens are used for small shows and hands-on activities in the children's area, the Speelweide. You pay one token per activity, and tokens can be bought at the box office on the Speelweide. The official site lists the current token prices and packages; payment is pin-only.
Can I buy Noorderzon tickets at the door?
For most performances you no longer need to queue at the door: tickets remain available online until just before the show, if not sold out. During the festival you can also buy tickets at De Winkel, the Leliesingel box office for container shows, and the Speelweide box office for the children's programme.
