Mother's Day 2025 in Groningen

Mother's Day is just around the corner, and we have lots of fun tips in Groningen for moms and kids who want to surprise their mothers! This year, we celebrate it on Sunday, May 11, 2025. In this blog, we talk about the origins of Mother's Day and share great ideas for celebrating Mother's Day in Groningen in 2025!

The History of Mother's Day

To explore the modern history of Mother's Day, we need to look to the United States.
It was American Anna Jarvis (1864–1948), a single teacher from Philadelphia, who began Mother's Day in 1914. She admired her own mother and the role of mothers in society. She remained single her entire life and never had children. When her own mother passed away on May 9, 1905, she organized a "General Memorial Day of All Mothers" the following year on the first Sunday after her mother's death. How beautiful is that?

It took until 1914 for "Mother’s Day" to become an official holiday in the U.S. All mothers received flowers on this day. In ancient Greece, Mother's Day was celebrated during the spring festival in honor of the goddess Rhea, the mother of gods Zeus, Poseidon, Hestia, Demeter, Hera, and Hades. In ancient Rome, Mother's Day was dedicated to Cybele, the mother goddess associated with fertility and nature.

‘Yeah or Nay’ for Mother’s Day

Do you celebrate Mother's Day or not? Do you buy a gift or pamper her? Do you make sure she has a day free of obligations? Then maybe our tips will inspire you. Not a fan of the day? Just use our ideas for yourself and plan something fun with friends in the city of Groningen. Here's our list of Mother's Day tips and what to do on Mother's Day in Groningen.

Creating Mother's Day Memories in Groningen

You can shower your mom with gifts, but the best thing is to create a memory together — or with the whole family. There’s so much to do in the city of Groningen for you and your mom that choosing won’t be easy. So, how do you turn Mother's Day in Groningen into a lasting memory?

Breakfast in Bed for Moms in Groningen

Still living at home? Make breakfast for your mom. Bake a fresh croissant, slice up some fresh fruit, and add a nice cup of tea or coffee, her favorite flower in a vase — she’ll love it! Just don’t wake her up too early ;-)

Martha Stewart presents a more professional way to pamper your mom with breakfast!

Not living at home anymore? You can also have breakfast delivered in Groningen. Check out these services: Noorderland Ontbijtservice and Ontbijtservice het Hoge Noorden. Forgot all about it? Follow the links — you might still be able to order.

Too late? Then book breakfast at PAAIS. They are closed for delivery during the Ascension weekend, but you can visit later. They serve delicious homemade pastries, coffee, and tea! We've had excellent experiences here — they use the best local ingredients and pay great attention to presentation. Local and tasty!

Flowers for Mother's Day in Groningen

Flowers have always played a key role in Mother’s Day. During Anna Jarvis's time, carnations were the flower of choice. Nowadays, florists see their highest sales leading up to Mother’s Day. Roses are still the favorite, but many other flowers are also popular. You can find the most beautiful bouquets at Bloemenwereld. Entrepreneurs Fleur and Dennis have had a gorgeous stand on Hereweg in downtown Groningen since 2004, along with a great team that can help you pick the perfect bouquet. Lines can form around Mother's Day, so be sure to go early!

Their shop at Bordewijklaan 1 in Groningen is beautiful and full of flowers and plants to inspire your Mother’s Day! They also have a webshop. Check their website here. Another nice  special flowershop is De Nieuwe Kijk!

High Tea in Groningen

A classic favorite for moms — high tea! There are plenty of great spots in Groningen to enjoy one. You can book a lovely high tea at Hotel Prinsenhof, Feithhuis, and The Market Hotel. And afterward? Go shopping together! We'll create a complete list of all the high tea spots in Groningen soon.
Got an active mom who also loves water? Head to the Scandinavian Village and enjoy a high tea with a view over Lake Paterswoldsemeer. Book your high tea or check the menu here. They offer a wide variety of teas that you serve yourself. And for moms-to-be, it’s a great baby shower location too.

Active Mother's Day Tips in Groningen

Want to do something active after your high tea? At Lake Paterswoldsemeer, you can rent a sloop and enjoy a ride on the water. Or go for a city walk with your mom and combine it with a little (or a lot of) shopping. The interactive walks from Puutje are great! Check them out here.
You can also do a guided walking tour — we recommend the Groninger Gidsenteam. They will guide you and your mom through the city’s most unique spots. Maybe combine it with a stay at Hotel Corps de Garde?

Groningen from the Water on Mother’s Day

Prefer not to steer your own sloop? You can also enjoy a drink and the view on a canal cruise. Rent a boat from Jachthaven Reitdiep or centrally located at Herebrug. For a more relaxed experience, take a cruise with Rondvaartbedrijf Kool. This family-owned company has been a local favorite since 1969. Their first boat, the Pronkjewail, started cruising the beautiful canals of Groningen back then — it's a peaceful way to see the city. Even if it rains, you’ll stay dry on board, and on sunny days, they open the roof.

Shopping tips for Mother's Day in Groningen

We've listed a number of great shops and shopping streets for you to find a unique gift for your mother — or to visit together with her!

• Walhalla is one of a kind in the city of Groningen. A shop with multiple shops inside. A candle studio, fun home accessories, wish garlands, vintage, and great items from Loeks Rariteiten, Hedgehog and Balloon, and Good Vibez ltd. I recently went crazy over the cutest tea towels from Foekje Fleur! Perfect if you love color.
• Or have you ever thought about buying a beautiful duvet cover at Roezen, or a lovely set of towels, or a gorgeous bathrobe? The selection is huge. You can also buy great duvets there. There's no rush in this store, you get good advice, and the coffee is ready. Prefer it easy and fast? You can also order online through their webshop.
• Is your mother into cooking and beautiful kitchen styling? Then you might want to shop at Dille & Kamille in Groningen. A delightful store. Is your mom often on the go and prefers drinking coffee or tea on the move but doesn’t want to keep using disposable cups? The travel mugs from Simon Lévelt are truly fantastic!

Shopping with your mom in Groningen

We also recommend checking out the Gelkingestraat and the Folkingestraat. Just outside the city, you’ll find a charming shop with curiosities, vintage, and stunning bouquets: living room shop De Nieuwe Kijk. Nearby, you can reserve a table at Café Lily or enjoy a drink.

• Other stores worth visiting include Artishock, featuring great brands like Cambio, High, Drykorn, and more. And just as important: you get honest and personal advice.
• For beautiful lingerie and swimwear, go to Riet's Lingerie. You’ll find brands like Prima Donna, Anita, Marie Jo, and Mey.
• Visit at Saturday the 10th of May the Ommelander Market, it has a XXL variant on Mother's Day!

Drinks or High Tea with Your Mom in Groningen

• Enjoy a culinary Mother's Day brunch with Pim and Marieke at Café Lily!
• Head to the Brunch & Bloom Party for Mother's Day at Fernweh.
• A festive high tea awaits you on Mother’s Day at Café Willem Albert. This is also your chance to see how stylish and beautiful it has become since its grand reopening on May 1, 2025!
• Surprise your mom with an elaborate Mother's Day brunch at Hotel van der Valk Groningen Hoogkerk. Starting at 12:00 PM, you can enjoy an unlimited Mother's Day buffet!
• Barrel Wijn is the place to be with your mom. Grab a table on their terrace and enjoy the finest wines — perfect for wine lovers and bon vivants. There are often some small bites available too. The owners, Martijn and Inge, and their team are true specialists in delicious wines and matching snacks.
• At Brasserie Prinsenhof, a special afternoon tea is served for Mother’s Day. Looking for an atmospheric and historic location in the heart of the city where you can enjoy the good life? Then this is the perfect place for you and your mom! More information can be found here.

Cultural Mother's Day 2025 in Groningen

Take your mom to a festival

• A super fun tip (if we say so ourselves) is to take your mom to a cultural festival. Read our article about the best festivals in Groningen in 2025. Our personal pick? We’d take our moms to the Terug naar het Begin festival! Discover top-notch artists in unique churches in the Eemsdelta region, Groningen. A truly unique experience. But she’ll also love tickets to the Wine Festival in the A Church.

See TikTokTammo or Plien & Bianca with your mom

• You can still buy tickets to take your mom to TikTok Tammo at the Stadsschouwburg on Saturday, May 10. Guaranteed fun. Unfortunately, Plien & Bianca on May 12 and 13 are already sold out — but you might still snag some last-minute tickets!

Visit Otherworldly at the Groninger Museum

Visit the beautiful and unique ‘Otherworldly’ exhibition with your mother at the Groninger Museum.

“Komt een vrouw bij de Dokter”

• Healthcare is still very male-oriented. Why is that? There has been more research into male baldness than into how the female body works! Take your mother to the fascinating lecture ‘A Woman Visits the Doctor’ at the Forum Groningen on May 12. Hosted by Corine Koole with Tijn Elferink and Professor Angela Maas.

A Woman Visits the Doctor

• Healthcare is heavily focused on men. How is that possible? There has been more research into male baldness than into how the female body functions! Take your mother to this fascinating lecture ‘A Woman Visits the Doctor’ at the Forum Groningen.

Mother’s Day and Lutje Lokaal in Groningen

Ladies love shoes, and shoes love ladies. If that sounds like you, take a look at Mary Jane Shoe Boutique with your mother.
Love color and style? They offer matching clothing and beautiful brands that truly make a statement.

Walking Routes from Lutje Lokaal

It’s also a lot of fun to follow one of the Lutje Lokaal routes — you'll discover all kinds of unique shops while avoiding the big chain stores in Groningen city. You definitely don’t want to miss the Lutje Lokale Zaterdag at saturday 31st of May. They have special shopping routes tailored to your interests! Think: 'coffee, tea & treats', 'home, lifestyle & accessories', the 'boutique route', and many more options! For more information, check this link.

Each route includes a Google Maps link that guides you along all participating shops. A great experience for yourself and a wonderful way to support Groningen’s local (creative) entrepreneurs.

Mother’s Day Outings in Groningen

After all that shopping, it might be nice to really pamper yourself and experience a small-scale wellness moment. On Zwanestraat, you can visit BFQ for wellness, hair, and beauty treatments. For example, you can book a duo treatment here.

Zen with Fen

If you’d like to enjoy a relaxing massage in a homey atmosphere, we highly recommend Zen with Fen. Fenna offers much more than just relaxation massages — she also runs retreats, mindfit sessions, and more. You can read all about it on her website: Zen with Fen. Don’t forget to book your massage right away. There might still be availability in May if you're lucky!

Three Creative Mother’s Day Workshops in Groningen

Want to get creative with your mom? Plan a fun workshop, like pottery-making. It creates lasting memories — and a tangible keepsake! Here are several suggestions for creative workshops in Groningen. We’re highlighting three:

1. Artsy Avenue — a newcomer, but really fun!
2. Crea Rosa Ceramic Studio — work with clay, learn shaping and glazing. Explore your options here, as they also offer fun courses beyond workshops.
3. Want to make jewelry with your mom, and not just any jewelry — but something high quality in silver or gold? Then book a workshop at Heart Stuff Atelier.

Groningen: The Perfect City for Mother’s Day!

In summary, Groningen is a truly fun and diverse city to visit with your mother. It’s perfect for shopping moms, relaxing moms, beauty queens, active moms, and food-loving moms. But above all, it’s perfect for those who enjoy life! With our tips, you can gather tons of inspiration for Mother’s Day shopping in Groningen. You’re more than welcome to celebrate Mother’s Day here!