Haarlem News in English
Haarlem news in English — local headlines from Haarlem and the wider Kennemerland region (Heemstede, Velsen, Beverwijk, Zandvoort, IJmuiden), translated daily for expats and English-speaking residents.
Floor (22) and Danique (29) open a lunchroom and bakery
Floor and Danique have opened a new bakery and lunchroom called Brood Café at Kleine Houtstraat 66 in Haarlem. The business serves a variety of artisanal breads and homemade delicacies seven days a week, drawing on the owners' combined backgrounds in hospitality and baking.
Is there anything better than the smell of freshly baked bread? 7 bakeries in Haarlem
This article highlights seven notable bakeries in Haarlem, showcasing their unique specialties ranging from traditional Dutch sourdough to authentic French pastries. These local favorites, including h...
Don't get angry! Here's what's happening during National Games Week in Haarlem
Haarlem is hosting the National Board Game Week from October 26 to November 1 to encourage social interaction through tabletop games. Residents of all skill levels are invited to participate in variou...
Farmer and toy seller: why be a farmer if you can't make a living from it?
The Houdijk family in Abbenes keeps their farm running by supplementing crop production with a successful toy shop and off-farm employment. Despite the financial instability of the agricultural sector...
Insurers: fewer home fire damage claims in Haarlem again last year
The number of residential fire insurance claims and fire department interventions in Haarlem decreased last year. However, the total cost of damages remains high due to inflation and rising constructi...
Two suspects, three shots: neighbors of targeted Haarlem home shocked
Two suspects were recorded firing three shots at a house on Bantamstraat in Haarlem late Thursday night. While the home sustained damage, the resident inside was physically unharmed, and police have l...
Mayor closes premises after discovery of illegal sex club
Mayor Jos Wienen of Haarlem has ordered a three-month closure of a building on the Baan after an illegal, unlicensed sex club was discovered operating there. Authorities identified signs of potential ...
Quay along the Donkere Spaarne closed off
A section of the quay along the Donkere Spaarne in Haarlem is closing on October 20 due to the rapid deterioration of a retaining wall built in 1930. The city is implementing traffic adjustments, incl...
Westeinder campsite residents back in court: 'compensation too low'
Residents of Camping De Westeinder have returned to court in Haarlem to challenge the inadequate compensation offered by developer Kleen Estate for their forced relocation. Many residents rely on the ...
Waarderbrug closed for 6 months
The Waarderbrug in Haarlem will be closed for major maintenance from October 26, 2026, until April 2027. During this period, traffic will be diverted, a temporary ferry will be provided for pedestrian...
Prison sentences demanded for three men in assault that shook IJmond
Prosecutors have demanded prison sentences of up to two years for three men involved in the brutal assault of a 17-year-old in Beverwijk last year. The public circulation of violent footage caused wid...
A9 towards Amstelveen completely closed due to accident, six tow trucks deployed
The A9 motorway toward Amstelveen is currently closed near the Rottepolderplein junction following a multi-vehicle accident. Emergency responders are on-site with six tow trucks to manage the wreckage...
Car completely burned out in Reinaldapark Haarlem
A car was completely destroyed in a fire at the Reinaldapark in Haarlem during the early hours of the morning. Police are currently investigating the cause of the blaze and have not ruled out the poss...
Four hornet nests in Haarlem: beekeepers seek funding for removal
Local beekeepers in Haarlem have identified four invasive hornet nests that threaten the regional bee population. Because government authorities are not providing financial aid, the beekeepers have st...
Municipality of Haarlem must house 214 status holders before end of year
Haarlem must secure housing for 214 status holders by the end of 2024 to meet its government-assigned quota. So far, the municipality has housed 160 individuals this year, leaving a significant gap th...
Concerns over ending emergency care in Hoofddorp? Information evening draws few visitors
The Spaarne Gasthuis hospital plans to centralize 24-hour emergency care in Haarlem-Zuid by 2033, effectively closing the emergency department in Hoofddorp. Despite significant public and political ba...
Chatterbox Roderik connects people with each other
Roderik Schaepman has launched the Week of the Conversation, an initiative aimed at encouraging social interaction to combat loneliness and declining communication skills. By setting up designated spa...
Minor arrested after fire at shelter for young asylum seekers in Aerdenhout
A fire occurred at a shelter for underage asylum seekers in Aerdenhout on Sparrenlaan, leading to the safe evacuation of all residents. Police have arrested a minor suspected of arson, though no injur...
Construction of temporary shopping center underway: vacancies at 'old' Beatrixplein in Haarlem
The aging shopping center at Prinses Beatrixplein in Haarlem is being demolished to make way for a large-scale redevelopment project featuring over 500 new homes and modern facilities. A temporary sho...
55 reports of demolition and tree felling in Haarlem last week
The municipality of Haarlem processed 55 permit applications last week, covering construction projects ranging from residential dormer installations to commercial renovations. The filings also include...
Firefighters rescue cat from under car hood in Haarlem
Emergency responders in Haarlem successfully rescued a cat that became trapped inside a car engine on Wednesday morning. After initial efforts to free the animal failed, the fire department was called...
Museum of the Mind in Haarlem raises 11,500 euros for mental health
The Museum van de Geest in Haarlem raised 11,500 euros during its Walk & Talk charity event to support youth mental health awareness. The proceeds will fund educational projects aimed at helping young...
Private landlords in Haarlem sell off property: 1,235 fewer rental homes last year
Private landlords in Haarlem sold off 1,235 rental properties last year, significantly reducing housing options for middle-income residents. The decline is attributed to stricter government regulation...
Police search Haarlem park following report of firearm, several people searched
Police conducted a large-scale search of Reinaldapark in Haarlem after receiving reports of a possible firearm on Tuesday evening. Officers searched the area with a drone and police dog, but no weapon...
Minor directed 23-year-old in Rijsenhout bombing
A 23-year-old man and a minor suspect are accused of carrying out a professional bomb attack on a home in Rijsenhout last December. While the 23-year-old remains in custody, his defense has requested ...
Albert Heijn customers barely notice IT failure: Only gift cards not working
Supermarket chain Albert Heijn is facing a nationwide IT disruption, resulting in issues with discount systems and gift card processing. Despite the technical problems, which are being investigated as...
Explosive destroys front door and mailbox in Haarlem
An explosive device detonated at a residence in Haarlem on Sunday night, destroying the front door and mailbox but causing no human injuries. Police are currently searching for a suspect who was seen ...
Old church tower in Spaarndam restored
The tower of the Oude Kerk in Spaarndam has been fully restored, featuring repairs to its clockwork, bell installation, and structural exterior. The project was completed in time for the church's 400t...
Viewing tip! This Haarlem museum is coming to television
The Teylers Museum in Haarlem will be featured in the Avrotros television program Nu te zien! on November 3. Museum director Marc de Beyer will present the Zeker Weten? exhibition, highlighting the im...
Brutal violence and closed schools: violence that shook the IJmond region back in court
A wave of violence between youth groups in Haarlem and the IJmond region caused significant unrest in September 2025, leading to school closures and emergency police measures. Three suspects are curre...
About Haarlem News in English
Haarlem news in English, sourced from Dutch local publishers including Haarlems Dagblad and NH Nieuws and translated for the international community. Coverage spans Haarlem city and the wider Kennemerland region — Heemstede, Bloememdaal, Velsen, Beverwijk, Zandvoort and IJmuiden — including municipal politics, housing and rental market developments, traffic and roadworks on the A9 and A22, school and university news, festivals at Grote Markt and Patronaat, restaurant and shop openings, crime reports and emergency incidents. Updated throughout the day so internationals living in Haarlem and the Kennemerland region can follow local news without needing to read Dutch.