The Hollandse Duinen area along the South Holland coast has been officially designated as the 22nd national park in the Netherlands. Minister Jaimi van Essen announced the new status for the coastal region on Tuesday.
Haarlem will mark Remembrance Day on May 4 with ceremonies at several local monuments, including a central service at St. Bavokerk and a silent march to the Dreef. On May 5, the city celebrates Liberation Day with the annual Bevrijdingspop festival, which features a commemorative concert and performances by various national artists. Local traffic measures and road closures will be in effect during these events to accommodate the commemorations and festivities.
Mobile data traffic across the Netherlands saw a significant increase on King's Day compared to the previous year, according to telecom provider KPN. The surge was driven by users sharing photos and videos, with some regions experiencing data usage up to seven times higher than normal.
Neo-soul singer Erykah Badu delivered a surprise performance at Amsterdam's Westerpark during King's Day celebrations. She appeared during a DJ set by producer The Alchemist outside the nightclub Radio Radio to sing her hit 'Didn't Cha Know'.
The Waarderbrug in Haarlem has been closed to all traffic since Sunday due to a technical defect that keeps the bridge in an open position. The municipality advises pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists to use the Prinsenbrug or Schoterbrug as alternative routes.
Haarlem celebrated King's Day 2026 with festive street markets, music, and social gatherings throughout the city. Residents and visitors marked the national holiday by participating in traditional activities to honor the King's birthday.