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.
Always the best at Rummikub? Prove it during the National Championship in Haarlem
The Dutch Rummikub Championship will be held on November 15 at Mooie Boules in Haarlem. Participants aged 14 and older can compete for the national title, with the winner earning a spot to represent t...
Over half of adults in Haarlem exercise weekly, significantly more than in comparable municipalities
Data from the new VitIndex system shows that 66 percent of adults in Haarlem exercise weekly, which is a higher rate than in similar Dutch municipalities. Additionally, more than half of the city's ad...
Number of nuisance reports involving confused persons in Haarlem has been rising since 2023
The number of nuisance reports involving confused persons in Haarlem has risen steadily since 2023, reaching 1,491 incidents in the first eight months of 2024. National police figures show a similar u...
Man injured after violent robbery by two young boys in Haarlem
A man was injured during a robbery by two young boys on Liewegje in Haarlem yesterday evening. The victim was threatened and struggled with the suspects, who were estimated to be between 14 and 16 yea...
Haarlem slaughterhouse closed as of today: city council to take action
The Muziekcentrum Slachthuis in Haarlem has closed temporarily following the bankruptcy of its managing foundation. The city council, which owns the building, is currently seeking a solution to resume...
Hello new friends! This is what you can do in Haarlem during the Week Against Loneliness
The Week Against Loneliness takes place across the Netherlands from September 24 to September 30, encouraging people to foster social connections through small, meaningful interactions. Residents in H...
48 reports of demolition and tree felling in Haarlem last week
The municipality of Haarlem processed 48 permit applications last week, covering residential construction projects, event planning, and numerous requests for tree removal. The filings include routine ...
French cuisine is delicious! 9 French restaurants in Haarlem
Haarlem features a wide selection of French restaurants, ranging from traditional bistros to modern establishments with Michelin-recognized quality. These dining spots, scattered across the city, offe...
National exercise challenge gets Haarlem residents moving: "The oldest is 96!"
Haarlem residents recently gathered at the Wilsonsplein playground to celebrate a nationwide exercise day, reflecting a regular community-led initiative held twice a week. The event drew sixty partici...
Chatting with a stranger: Margriet organizes Start the Conversation meetings at the Haarlem library
Magazine Margriet is hosting 'Start the Conversation' meetings in libraries across the Netherlands to help people overcome loneliness and social anxiety. A local session is scheduled for November 13, ...
New ideas for Haarlem during the Initiative Café
Haarlem will host an Initiative Café on October 6, 2026, where residents can present community improvement projects to a jury and receive feedback from fellow citizens. The event serves as a platform...
North Holland tap water contains far too much PFAS, Zaanstad leads the Netherlands
A Greenpeace report indicates that 95 percent of North Holland's tap water exceeds the strict health guidelines set by the RIVM for PFAS concentrations. While experts confirm the water remains safe an...
Average Haarlem resident lives in the same amount of space as ten years ago
Recent data from Statistics Netherlands reveals that the average resident of Haarlem currently has approximately 47 square meters of living space, the same amount as ten years ago. This trend is drive...
Suspect denies 2002 rape of 16-year-old girl in Lisserbroek
A 64-year-old man is on trial for the 2002 rape of a 16-year-old girl in Lisserbroek, a case that remained unsolved for 24 years. The suspect was identified through DNA kinship analysis but continues ...
Abused monastery children denied compensation for forced labor on appeal
The Amsterdam Court of Appeal has rejected a compensation claim from a group of women who alleged they were subjected to forced labor at Good Shepherd convents between 1951 and 1979. The court ruled t...
Spaarne Ferry out of service October 2, 3 and 4
The Spaarne ferry service between Schalkwijk and Haarlem Southwest will be suspended for maintenance from October 2 through October 4. The ferry, which normally operates daily, will resume its regular...
Roadworks in Haarlem: keep this in mind this week (September 21 - September 28)
Haarlem will experience widespread traffic disruptions from September 21 to September 28 due to ongoing construction, maintenance projects, and local events. Key areas such as the city center and majo...
Renewed Europaweg open for a month, traffic disruption not yet over
The Europaweg in Haarlem has reopened after a redesign that prioritizes pedestrians and cyclists over cars. Traffic disruptions persist due to ongoing construction at a new transport hub, with major p...
Have you seen Billie, Charlie or Gandalf? These six pets are missing in Haarlem
Six cats, including those named Billie, Charlie, and Gandalf, have been reported missing in various locations across Haarlem during the past week. Owners and the tracking organization Amivedi are seek...
Long-cherished new clubhouse of Koninklijke HFC festively opened
Koninklijke HFC in Haarlem has officially opened its new clubhouse after nine years of planning and eighteen months of construction. Members and supporters celebrated the unveiling, praising the moder...
Mayor and Schiphol boss swap jobs for a day: 'Not to emphasize friendship'
Schiphol CEO Pieter van Oord and Haarlemmermeer Mayor Marianne Schuurmans temporarily swapped jobs to gain deeper insight into their differing organizational interests. The exchange allowed both leade...
Phone of the Wind at Elswout estate: calling deceased loved ones
A 'Phone of the Wind' has been installed at the Elswout estate in Overveen to help people cope with grief by symbolically speaking to deceased loved ones. Initiated by local resident Trudy Satink, the...
300 Zwanenburg residents rescued during train journey: "They gave the starving passengers food and clothing"
The documentary series Een Oogje op Noord-Holland is presenting historical footage to residents of Zwanenburg and Halfweg, covering topics from local landmarks to environmental issues. The screenings ...
Car flips over on Schipholweg
A driver escaped injury after their car struck a signpost and flipped onto its roof on the Schipholweg (N232) early this morning. Police are currently investigating the incident, as the motorist is su...
Bankruptcy of Haarlem slaughterhouse inevitable, but politicians want a fresh start
The Slachthuis music venue in Haarlem has filed for bankruptcy due to significant financial debts, forcing an end to the current organization's operations. Despite the closure, local politicians and c...
Peace Week Haarlem kicks off: 'Harmony is an obstacle to peace'
Haarlem is celebrating a ten-day Peace Week focused on fostering community connection and meaningful dialogue about social harmony. The event features various activities including debates and discussi...
RIVM estimate: one in four adults in this part of Haarlem feels lonely
Recent data from the CBS, RIVM, and GGD reveals that one in seven Haarlem residents experiences intense loneliness, with certain neighborhoods reaching one in four. The report highlights that younger ...
Teylers Museum in Haarlem acquires early drawing by Adriaen de Vries
The Teylers Museum in Haarlem has acquired a rare early drawing by the Dutch sculptor Adriaen de Vries. Believed to date from the early 1580s, the piece depicts a reclining female nude and is consider...
Judge: new owner of Vogelenzang family campsite may hear witnesses
The municipality of Bloemendaal lost an appeal in a dispute over the stalled development of 350 chalets at the former Vogelenzang campsite. A court ruled that the owner, MarinaParken, may call witness...
Fun: what to do in Haarlem during Neighbors Day 2026
Neighbors Day will be celebrated across the Netherlands on Saturday, September 26, 2026, to encourage community connection and stronger local relationships. Residents in Haarlem can participate in var...