Hip Hop Is Program
Saturday 20 December 2025 to Sunday 10 May 2026
At the Groninger Museum, you can explore the boundless creativity of Hip Hop, a cultural movement that spans countless creative fields, from art, fashion, design and language to music, dance and graffiti. With works by makers from the Netherlands and abroad, including Martha Cooper, Arthur Jafa, Iris Kensmil, Mick La Rock, Dana Lixenberg, Rammellzee and many more.
Program
Special activities are taking place inside and outside the museum during Hip Hop Is. Compete in breakdancing battles, watch a documentary on Hip Hop, or take part in the young people’s studio programme in the museum’s Hip Hop caravan.
HIP HOP IS D.I.Y. (Do It Yourself)
In the last room of the exhibition in the museum's Coop Himmelb(l)au building, you step into the different elements of Hip Hop. From January 2026, we will be programming extra activities here. Add your own ‘tag’ to the graffiti wall, attend the podcast recordings of Homebase, or practice different ‘break’ moves using video instructions from Groningen breakers!
Date: Ongoing
Location: Museumeiland 1, 9711 ME Groningen
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Hip Hop Caravan
The Groninger Museum is going on tour with the Hip Hop Caravan, which has been transformed into a mini museum. Starting in January, the caravan will travel to schools and festivals in the province of Groningen, surprising children and young people with activities related to the Hip Hop Is exhibition.
Date: Ongoing
Location: Province of Groningen
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WERC AR Graffiti: Hall of Fame
Step inside AR Graffiti: Hall of Fame. A world where digital street art comes to life. The Groningen art collective WERC presents a large-scale, interactive installation in which graffiti, light, and sound merge into one immersive experience.
At AR Graffiti 3, visitors are standing in the middle of the work. Various graffiti pieces are brought to life with interactive video projections and a specially composed soundscape. Together they form an experience in which the boundaries between physical and digital art blur.AR Graffiti 1.0 and 2.0 are on display in a connected room.
Date: 31 January to 22 February 2026
Location: EMG Stadshavens Groningen, Eemskanaal Noordzijde 48
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VRIJDAG StudioT
At StudioT, young people aged 12 to 27 with a passion for music are always welcome. Get started with studio supervisors Rudy Rivas and Jaelle Hupkes. Whether you want to make beats, write lyrics, record your own songs, or just make music with new friends, StudioT gives you the space to experiment with professional equipment. Come by or join the Hip Hop & R&B boot camp by VRIJDAG.
Date: 14 and 15 March 2026
Location: Akkerstraat 99, 9717 KZ Groningen
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European Hip Hop Studies Conference 9.0
The Groninger Museum is the location for the European Hip Hop Studies Conference 2026. More than 30 years ago, the field of Hip Hop studies emerged, with groundbreaking works such as Black Noise by Tricia Rose. These publications laid the foundation for discussions that continue to this day. During this conference, we will look at the current state of Hip Hop research, the role of Hip Hop as a culture and as an art form, and the future of the field. Expect debates and panels on European Hip Hop, as well as keynotes and conversations with creators and researchers. This edition will also feature special sessions on the history of Hip Hop in the Netherlands, with a special focus on Groningen.
Date: 18 March to 21 March 2026
Location: Museumeiland 1, 9711 ME Groningen
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Previous Events
ESNS 2026
During the upcoming edition of ESNS, there will once again be plenty to see and experience across the city. In addition to music and performances, the festival also offers an extensive visual arts program under the banner of ESNS Art. ESNS is celebrating its 40th anniversary with special art presentations in collaboration with Noorderlicht, Academie Minerva, and the Groninger Archives, among others. ESNS visitors receive a discount at the Groninger Museum with their wristband and code.
Date: 14 January to 17 January 2026
Location: city center Groningen
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Book signing by Niels Shoe Meulman and Ferry van Zijderveld
The Groninger Museum is organizing a book signing in the museum's entrance hall with artists Niels ‘Shoe’ Meulman and Ferry van Zijderveld. Have your copy of Shoe's Black Book – Graffiti in the 1980s signed, in which Shoe documents his early years as a graffiti artist and collaborations with iconic artists. The book signing is free and no museum ticket is required.
Date: 16 January 2026
Location: Museumeiland 1, 9711 ME Groningen
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(ANOTHER) HOMEBASE INVASION
In honor of Eurosonic, another (ANOTHER) HOMEBASE INVASION will take place at FIXY. Enjoy a free underground Hip Hop program with performances by ZWARTEWATER, WadAap, Skedel, Wallplug, Alexander Moto, and Denk Neni, mixed with DJ sets by Daiya and, of course, Deejay Irie.
Date: 17 January 2026
Location: FIXY, Oosterstraat 13a, 9711 NN Groningen
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HipHopSonic
The largest UNDERGROUND Hip Hop party takes place in Groningen in January. During ESNS, you can head to Café de Zolder for your dose of free Hip Hop, with acts such as Mister Personal, Draizt, and Suwento. From raw beats to impressive live performances: an energetic evening full of urban vibes that you shouldn't miss.
Date: 17 January 2026
Location: Café de Zolder, Papengang 3 A, 9711 PA Groningen
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Podium Noordstaat
Podium Noordstaat takes over Simplon for an evening full of raw energy, fresh vibes, and emerging talent. Expect new sounds, powerful performances, and the creativity of artists who are making their voices heard. An energetic evening that shows what the local Hip Hop scene has to offer.
Date: 23 January 2026
Location: Simplon, Boterdiep 69, 9712 LK Groningen
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Dope D.O.D.
During the Dope D.O.D. Multiverse Release Party, the room bursts with dark, experimental Hip Hop, electronic influences, and raw energy. Let yourself be carried away by raw energy, mosh pits, and captivating shows from the group that is making an impression worldwide and returning with a new release. An unforgettable evening for fans of powerful, groundbreaking Hip Hop.
Date: 24 January 2026
Location: EM2, Suikerlaan 6, 9743 DA Groningen
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BRAAI
BRAAI is back with a special anniversary edition at Simplon. Expect fresh and powerful Afrobeats and an overflow of unlimited energy.
Date: 31 January 2026
Location: Simplon, Boterdiep 69, 9712 LK Groningen
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