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.
From Coldplay to Nirvana: new live music series starts in Haarlem
A new acoustic music series called Centraal Unplugged is launching in Haarlem on September 27. The event, hosted at Locael Centraal, features local bands performing unplugged tributes to renowned arti...

Mystery packages are on the rise, now in Haarlem too: how innocent is this hype?
Pop-up stores selling mystery packages of returned goods are becoming increasingly popular across the Netherlands, including a new location in Haarlem. While customers are drawn by the excitement of p...
Weekend tips: things to do in Haarlem (September 18-20)
The city of Haarlem is hosting various events from September 18-20, including the Haarlems Oktoberfest, theater performances, and a vintage clothing market. Residents can also explore local history th...

Classical for kids: Zandvoort students flock to Peter and the Wolf fairy tale
Hundreds of primary school children in Zandvoort recently attended live performances of the musical fairy tale Peter and the Wolf, presented by the Amsterdam Wind Quintet. The initiative, led by the C...
C The Future brings technology and circularity together in Haarlem
C The Future will host its fourth annual event at MAAK Park in Haarlem on October 3 to explore the intersection of technology, creativity, and sustainability. The free event features workshops and dem...

Unveiling of 5 murals in Oost and Delftwijk
Five new murals featuring themes suggested by residents are being installed across the Haarlem districts of Oost and Delftwijk. Funded by the city council and supported by Elan Wonen, the artworks wil...

Living more comfortably by making monumental homes sustainable
Residents in Haarlem have successfully transformed their 1922 monumental home into a sustainable, gas-free residence using biobased insulation and a ground-source heat pump. The six-month renovation p...
64 reports of demolition and tree felling in Haarlem last week
Last week, the municipality of Haarlem processed 64 permit applications involving various construction, renovation, and environmental projects throughout the city. The submissions include plans for re...

Man in Haarlem seriously injured, Castricum man arrested
A man was seriously injured during an assault on Ierlandstraat in Haarlem on yesterday evening. Police have arrested a 32-year-old man from Castricum in connection with the incident, which is believed...
Demand for intensive elderly care in Haarlem to grow by 190 people by 2030
Projections from the RIVM suggest that the number of residents in Haarlem requiring intensive, round-the-clock elderly care will grow by 190 people by 2030. This rising demand is largely attributed to...

Traffic measures for the Haarlem Half Marathon on September 27
The Haarlem Half Marathon takes place on Sunday, September 27, resulting in extensive road closures across the city center and surrounding neighborhoods. Public transport services, including multiple ...
Need a moment for yourself? Here is where to book a massage in Haarlem city center
This guide highlights various massage studios in the center of Haarlem that offer a range of services from traditional Eastern techniques to holistic relaxation therapies. Whether seeking relief from ...

Emergency services sound major alarm after carbon monoxide report in Haarlem apartment block
Emergency services are inspecting a forty-eight-unit apartment building in Haarlem after multiple carbon monoxide detectors were triggered early this morning. Firefighters are systematically checking ...
What if the rainstorm of the century hits Haarlem? 'Nearly 4,900 homes in vulnerable areas'
Approximately 4,900 homes in Haarlem could face significant water accumulation if an extreme storm event, estimated to occur once every century, strikes the area. Research highlights that neighborhood...
Run for your life: everything about the 2026 Dam tot Damloop in Amsterdam
The 40th annual Dam tot Damloop sports weekend will be held on September 19 and 20, 2026, featuring running, cycling, and walking events between Amsterdam and Zaandam. The milestone celebration includ...
Roadworks in Haarlem: keep this in mind this week (September 14 - September 21)
Various streets in Haarlem are experiencing traffic disruptions and closures between September 14 and September 21 due to ongoing construction and maintenance. Motorists should anticipate speed reduct...
Koninklijke HFC signs Paul Fosu-Mensah
Koninklijke HFC has signed midfielder and defender Paul Fosu-Mensah on a free transfer. The player joins the club following his time with the Norwegian team Brattvåg and previous experience at severa...

Motorist flees after hitting child in Haarlem
A child was seriously injured after being hit by a car while cycling in Haarlem on the Plataanstraat. The driver of the involved black Audi A3 fled the scene and is currently being sought by the polic...
34 shots, zero goals: Heerenveen and Telstar play to a goalless draw
SC Heerenveen and Telstar played to a 0-0 draw at the Abe Lenstra Stadion, marking the first goalless match of the Eredivisie season. Despite a combined 34 shots, both sides were held scoreless due to...
Have you seen Salsa? This pet is missing in Haarlem
A two-year-old black cat named Salsa has been reported missing in Haarlem after being last seen on September 3 in the Van 't Hoffstraat area. The sterilized and microchipped cat is currently being tra...
Mesh helps adults in Haarlem make friends: 'A shared love for padel is no guarantee of a real connection'
The social platform Mesh has expanded to Haarlem, offering a service to help adults build meaningful friendships based on personality compatibility rather than just shared hobbies. By using a personal...
LIVE Eredivisie | Heerenveen hunting for three points against Telstar
SC Heerenveen and Telstar played to a 0-0 draw at the Abe Lenstra Stadion, marking the first goalless result of the current Eredivisie season. Despite numerous scoring opportunities for both sides, ex...

71-year-old woman from Haarlem dies in Swiss bus accident
A 71-year-old woman from Haarlem was among five Dutch citizens killed in a bus accident near Susch, Switzerland. The bus was carrying an Oad tour group on a day trip to Switzerland from Austria when t...

Luxury villas in the sea? A mysterious sign on Zandvoort beach suggests so
Artist Dadara has caused a stir in Zandvoort by displaying a realistic AI-generated image of a luxury sea-based villa project to spark debate on unchecked development and greed. While the installation...

Public consultation on Spaarneboog area development begins
Haarlem is inviting public feedback on the draft development plan for the Spaarneboog area from September 11 to October 22, 2026. The project includes plans for new housing, shopping facilities, a com...
Top tip! Test your knowledge of Dutch geography with this free game
Developer Tijmen Klein has launched Polderprikker, a free daily online game that challenges players to pinpoint Dutch locations on a map using satellite imagery. Since its creation, the game has gaine...
Suspect (41) takes off his shoes during burglary and puts on exclusive Nikes, but it gives him away
A 41-year-old repeat offender is on trial for a series of burglaries in Mijdrecht and Amsterdam after DNA evidence from his abandoned shoes linked him to the scene. Despite his claims of innocence, th...
Weekend tips: things to do in Haarlem (September 11-13)
Haarlem is hosting a variety of events from September 11-13, including the free Open Monumentendagen, outdoor film screenings, and a silent disco tour. Residents can also attend a singalong concert at...
FIOD searches premises of medical specialists: cardiologists suspected of deals with suppliers
The FIOD has searched several properties in Gelderland and Noord-Holland belonging to cardiologists suspected of corruption. These specialists are accused of taking kickbacks from medical suppliers in...
Haarlem library membership remains virtually unchanged
Library membership in Haarlem has remained largely stable, with one in five residents maintaining a card despite national growth trends. While youth participation has seen a slight increase, adult mem...