Blues Tour Groningen, Saturday, February 28, 2026, already celebrating its 16th edition. This year, the Blues Tour Groningen will take place for the 16th time on February 28, 2026, in the city center of Groningen. The Blues Tour Groningen began in 2009 as an initiative of enthusiasts Wim Angerman and Wim Entzinger. It started small in five cafes, but this year there are 16 locations where blues music is played, and admission is still free! All locations are in or near the city center, making it easy to attend various performances that evening.
Over the years, locations have been removed and added.
During the early years, the center of activity was in the Elleboogbuurt neighborhood, with sometimes as many as six participating cafes. This is also where the only cafe that participated in all Blues Tours is located: Café Wolthoorn & Co.
These days, the venues are more spread out throughout the city center or just outside, and more cafes and restaurants are participating. As a result, the starting time at some venues is also a bit earlier, at 21:00 PM.
New locations this year are La Martina, Eetbar Luke, Café Lily and (after an absence of a few years) Café de Minnaar.
Blues is no longer just the domain of the elderly; it's enjoyed by all ages, from young to old. The festival is designed to appeal to fans of all ages and backgrounds. Whether you're a seasoned blues fan or simply looking for a new musical experience, Blues Tour Groningen has something for everyone. From one-man performers with understated blues to raw blues-rock bands, classic blues, country and bluegrass, and even boogie, there's something for everyone.
Current organizers Willem Koster and Maarten Linskens have once again put together a fantastic program for this year. Longtime favorites include Ed Baker and the Boogie Machine, Bluesheat, King King Kings, Herbie Blues, and Ralph de Jong. New acts this year include Byrchwood, Cat Fever Band, Baked Beans, and State of the Art.
