Program
Every year, thousands of students are eager to start their student days and this year, you will be one of them! To start your student life well and to get to know and discover your new student city, the KEI week comes to the rescue. In 2026, this fantastic week begins on Monday, August 10, and lasts until August 14. Together with 12 to 15 other first-year students, you will explore Groningen in a group led by a number of experienced older students (KEI-leaders).
Monday 10 Aug
Registration 10:00 - 17:00 Broerplein
After having registered for the KEI-week of 2026 online, you have to confirm your participation during the Registration on Monday the 10th of August. Even if you haven’t registered online yet, you can still get a wristband for the KEI-week here! You will also receive the KEI-bag full of useful information and fun goodies: now the KEI-week can really start!
Information Market 10:00-17:00 Vismarkt
At the Information Market, you get the chance to meet almost all (student) organisations that the student city of Groningen has to offer. There are sports, cultural and student associations, but also political organizations and companies. There’s something for everyone!
Sit & See 11:00 - 16:00 Vismarkt
Discover the vibrant streets of Groningen from your lazy chair with the Sit & See! Take a seat in the KEI-express, and let our guides surprise you in this interactive tour. In 20 minutes they show you all the ins and outs of the most beautiful city in the north, you don’t want to miss this!
International Welcome 12:00-16:00 Academy Building
The International Welcome is the welcome moment for all international KEI-participants. Here you will receive an introduction to the Netherlands, Groningen and of course the KEI-week.
City walk 13:00-17:00 Broerplein
Discover vibrant Groningen with the GroningenLife city walk! Walk past the impressive Martini Tower and through the coziness of the city center. Our walk shows the highlights of Groningen, with historic buildings, fun bars and trendy spots. Forget boring history lessons; here it’s all about the vibrant atmosphere of the city.
The city walk takes approximately 45 minutes and starts at Broerplein, in front of the Academiegebouw where the Registration is as well. The city walks start at the following times:
- 13:00
- 14:00
- 15:00
- 16:00
Meet your KEI-leaders 17:00-20:00
This is the first time you get to meet your KEI-group and your KEI-leaders. Together you have dinner after which you all can go to The Grand Opening at the Grote Markt, to start off the week!
The Grand Opening 20:00-01:00 Grote Markt
The Grand Opening kicks off KEI-week in spectacular style — with a massive party you won’t want to miss! Get ready for live performances on the mainstage, plus a warm welcome from artists, familiar faces from Groningen and the Executive Board of Stichting KEI, the team behind this unforgettable week. And from that moment on: KEI-week is officially ON!
Tuesday 11 Aug
Eat & Greet 12:00-14:00 Throughout the whole city
The Eat & Greet is the time to visit one of the many associations in Groningen’s student life and grab a bite to eat. All associations open their doors; from student associations to cultural organizations and from politics to sports.
Open Air Pubquiz 14:00-17:00 Grote Markt
The Pubquiz is your chance to put your KEI-group’s teamwork and knowledge to the ultimate test! Think a fun-filled afternoon packed with tricky questions, friendly competition, and plenty of laughs. Remember, taking part beats winning. The quiz is hosted by two enthusiastic quizmasters who’ll take the crowd through social topics and Groningen trivia in the most entertaining way possible. And of course, the bar stays open all afternoon long!
For non-dutch speaking students, we have organised a special program at the Nieuwe markt!
KEI-Parade 20:00-21:30 Route through the city centre
During the KEI-parade, the city streets are turned upside down! During this parade, the student associations and organizations march through the city center and you can join their festivities. Come and have a look, because you don’t want to miss this!
Night of the Songs 21:00-01:00 Grote Markt
The Night of the Songs is the biggest karaoke event in Europe! Together with about 6000 other new students of Groningen, you can sing along with all well-known hits. Get ready to sing along to our Groningen anthem ”Het Gras van het Noorderplantsoen”!
Wednesday 12 Aug
Sportplaza 13:00-18:00 ACLO sportcentrum
During this event you can get to meet and try out all student sports associations Groningen has to offer. Get ready to show your sporty side this afternoon and visit the ACLO sports center. You can also take a look at House of Sport Groningen, they provide information about sporting with a disability.
Cultifest 17:00 - 22:00 Harmoniecomplex
Are you ready to immerse yourself in Groningen’s vibrant cultural scene? CuliFest is the newest cultural event during the KEI-week, where you can interactively discover a wide range of cultural activities to explore during your student years! From a diverse range of performances to planning your own trip through Europe to creating your own tote bag, anything is possible. Get inspired by engaging workshops, discover hidden talents, and meet fellow students who share your passion.
Pub Crawl 22:00 - 04:00 City centre
Groningen wouldn’t be Groningen without all its clubs in the Poelestraat and Peperstraat. You can dance the night away here, since the Groningen nightlife has no closing time. During the pubcrawl you and your KEI-group will be given a route which you have to follow to collect stamps. Check out the coupons section in the app for all the deals offered at the clubs! When you finish the pubcrawl, you will receive a fun gift!
Even as an underage KEI-participant, you can join the full pubcrawl. Every participating bar is required to let you in, on this one night only. The clubs are not allowed to serve alcohol to anyone underage. Nevertheless, everyone wearing a KEI-band gets priority access at every participating bar over visitors who aren’t participating in the KEI-week.
Do you want to experience the pubcrawl as a senior student? There is a limited amount of external tickets available! Note: KEI-lopers, KEI-leaders and crew do not need to buy external tickets!
Thursday 13 Aug
Love, Lust & Lounge 14:00-17:00 Pathé Groningen
This event that takes place during the day is all about sex, alcohol and drugs. Through interactive presentations and activities, you’ll become aware of the new temptations that will come your way during your student life. You can relax and enjoy all of this from the comfort of your cinema seat!
This event is made possible by the social safety program of the University of Groningen
KEI-dinner 19:00 - 22:00 Vismarkt
New this year: the KEI-Dinner!
Ordering new pizza’s is no longer possible. If you’ve placed an order, check the confirmation e-mail to find your pizza-pickup time slot.
On Thursday afternoon, you and your KEI-group can grab a very cheap Domino’s Pizza together. Easy, sociable, and the perfect start to the evening. With a full stomach, you’ll be all set for what’s next: chilling out under the stars with a movie, also at the Vismarkt, or hitting the dance floor at Let’s KEI Together. The choice is yours!
Film at the Vismarkt 22:00 - 01:00 Vismarkt
Need to recover from the KEI-week so far? You can relax and enjoy an amazing movie at the open-air cinema on the Vismarkt! A huge cinema screen will be placed on the Vismarkt, the movie is still a secret. We’ve taken care of plenty of seating (full=full). This way you can relax with your KEI-group while enjoying pizza and drinks.
Start time: 22:00 (There is a break in the middle of the movie)
Let’s KEI-Together 22:00 - 04:00 Throughout the city
Do you want to join a student/social association, but you are not sure which one? Then Let’s KEI-Together is the event for you! Always wanted to take a look at one of the large associations, or do you want to see what it’s like at a smaller association? Visit one (or more) of the student associations that Groningen has to offer!
Friday 14 Aug
KEI-Festival 15:00-00:00 Paradigm
After a week full of new friends, countless beers, and maybe just a little too little sleep, it’s time to close out KEI-week 2026 with a bang. At the KEI-Festival, we’re pulling out all the stops one last time. The most studenty-vibe artists will put on a fantastic show at the Mainstage, while you can hop from stage to stage from the RGB Silent Disco, to Thuisbezorgd x Wolters Stage, Summer Vibes at OCEAN41 x RedBull Stage, and the Dominos Stage. Hungry? Score a delicious, cheap meal at the Foodstraat, brought to you by Thuisbezorgd (check down below and the coupons in the KEI-app for all the offers!). On top of that, plenty of student associations are around to keep you entertained with extra activities throughout the day. There’s something for everyone — this closing event of the week is one you can’t skip!
What do we have to offer?
In the mood for a burger? Create your own tasty beef, chicken or veggy burger for just 5 euros at Snackeys.
Or are you more into fries? Well lucky you! Get your fries and/or snacks for only 2,85 euros at Tasty Joe.
If both of these options don’t do it for you then maybe a pizza suits your palate! Get a slice of either Margherita pizza for 2,50 euros or get a slice of Funghi, Salami or Prosciutto pizza for 3 euros at Napoli.
For our dear veggy people don’t worry!! Get yourself a delicious falafel wrap, pita falafel for just 5 euros or even better, get some sweet potato fries for 3,75 euros at FLFL.
If all of this still doesn’t cut it then get yourself a heavenly poké bowl or enjoy some snacks from the Hasret!
Do you want to experience our Festival as a senior student? You will need to buy an external ticket! Note: KEI-lopers, KEI-leaders and crew do not need to buy external tickets!
Afterparty 00:00-06:00 PALACE
For the real die-hards, it is possible to continue partying after our KEI-Festival, at the Afterparty in nightclub PALACE! Will we see you there?
