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.
Not a garden gnome, but a dune gnome: Family writes book about Pierewied
The Van der Heijden family from Zandvoort has self-published a children's book about "Pierewied," a fictional gnome they invented during their walks through the Amsterdamse Waterleidingduinen. The boo...
New bike parking rules for Haarlem city center
The city of Haarlem has introduced stricter bicycle parking regulations in its city center to manage congestion in busy areas. Cyclists are now required to park their bikes only in designated racks or...
Bicycle parking in the city center
The city of Haarlem is implementing stricter bicycle parking regulations in the city center to keep sidewalks clear and accessible for pedestrians. New parking bans will take effect in areas like Grot...
Renovation of Akendam auditorium
The Akendam cemetery auditorium will undergo a major renovation from March 2 to mid-September 2026 to improve accessibility and modernize facilities while preserving the building's original design. Du...
Police warn of fake officer after attempted scam in Zandvoort
Police in Zandvoort have issued a warning after a man impersonating a police officer attempted to scam a senior resident on Dr. Jac. P. Thijsseweg yesterday evening. The suspect falsely claimed the wo...
Jewelry store targeted in overnight burglary in Deventer, two 18-year-olds from Amsterdam arrested
Two 18-year-old men from Amsterdam were arrested following a burglary at a Lucardi jewelry store in Deventer early Tuesday morning. The suspects caused significant damage to the shop on Lange Bisschop...
Information sessions on living with brain injury in Haarlem, Amsterdam, Krommenie and Obdam
The organization Hersenz is hosting a series of information sessions focused on coping with brain injuries and their long-term consequences. These meetings are scheduled to take place in several Dutch...
Not Laren, but this municipality is now the most expensive in the Netherlands
Blaricum has replaced Laren as the most expensive municipality for homebuyers in the Netherlands, with average house prices exceeding €1.1 million. According to data from the CBS and Kadaster, Bloem...
Climate activist Trees frustrated by delay in trial against PVV member who hit her
The trial of PVV politician Ronald van Tiggelen for hitting climate activist Trees Lammers with his car during a March 2023 protest in Haarlem has been postponed. The court moved the case to a three-j...
Honoring Haarlem's top athletes
On February 16, 2026, the city of Haarlem honored its top athletes at a sports gala where rower Roos de Jong and karateka Sebastiaan van Teeffelen were named sportswoman and sportsman of the year. The...
Speeding on IJmuiderstraatweg, cut-through traffic on Velserduinplein, confusing intersection at Orionweg: road safety in Velsen has a long way to go
A recent serious car accident in Velserbroek has drawn attention to broader traffic safety concerns throughout the municipality of Velsen. Residents and local reports highlight several hazardous locat...
This macabre Haarlem masterpiece hung in Jeffrey Epstein's home: "He didn't understand the message"
Recently released documents reveal that convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein commissioned a large-scale replica of Cornelis van Haarlem’s 1591 masterpiece, "Massacre of the Innocents," to hang abo...
Search for creator of thrift store paintings: "Incredibly beautiful"
Art enthusiast Erwin Kanik is seeking the identity of a mysterious painter signed "De Boer" after discovering thirty colorful artworks at a thrift store in Heemstede. He has appealed to the public via...
Zandvoort once again the setting for Ticking Clock challenge: registration opens today
Circuit Zandvoort will host the "Tikkende Klok-challenge" on September 6, a fundraising event where participants run or walk laps to support research into the hereditary heart muscle disease PLN. Regi...
Car drives off bridge into water, driver hospitalized
A driver was hospitalized after crashing through a bridge railing on the N200 near Halfweg and landing in the water around 4:00 AM. The driver managed to escape the vehicle and swim to shore, where a ...
No injuries in major fire involving five cars next to Uithoorn apartment building
Five parked cars were destroyed in a fire near an apartment building in Uithoorn early Sunday morning. No injuries were reported, and emergency services confirmed that residents were not in danger dur...
At Franzen, Mara Grimm deeply regrets not ordering the côte de boeuf (8)
Chef Jesse Franzen has opened a new "casual chic" restaurant called Franzen in Amsterdam’s Oud-Zuid neighborhood, specializing in classic French cuisine and high-quality grilled meats. Reviewer Mara...
Major police operation at holiday park in Vijfhuizen: three arrests
Police arrested three suspects and seized drugs, cash, and ammunition during a raid on five homes at a holiday park in Vijfhuizen on February 8. The operation was part of a long-term investigation int...
Free digital security training
Small and medium-sized business owners in Haarlem are invited to a free "Digital First Responder" training on March 3, 2026, to improve their cybersecurity preparedness. The session at the 3D Makers Z...
Relief in Zandvoort: iconic clock restored and ticking again
The iconic station clock on Sophiaweg in Zandvoort has been replaced and is functioning again after a public poll showed that 80% of residents wanted to save the landmark from removal. The municipalit...
After a century, Gudde family quits herring trade: 'Rejected six times for a larger stall'
After four generations and nearly a century in the trade, the Gudde family is closing their Amsterdam herring stall as 69-year-old Lucien Gudde retires. The business will not be passed down to his son...
Name of new gymnastics hall announced: Turnhuis Haarlem
The new gymnastics hall in Haarlem-Noord has been officially named "Turnhuis Haarlem" following a public vote where the name received nearly 40 percent of the ballots. The facility is scheduled for co...
De Jong out in Rotterdam despite strong performance
Dutch tennis player Jesper de Jong was eliminated in the first round of the ATP tournament in Rotterdam after a narrow defeat to fifth-seeded Karen Khachanov. Despite winning the opening set and putti...
New gymnastics hall named Turnhuis Haarlem
The new gymnastics hall in Haarlem-Noord has been officially named "Turnhuis Haarlem" following a public voting process among residents and athletes. Revealed by Sports Councilor Eva de Raadt and gymn...
Friends from Nieuw-Vennep embark on notorious Scandinavian road trip: "It will be -30 degrees"
Four friends from Nieuw-Vennep are participating in the Carbage Run, a five-day winter road trip through Scandinavia in a 2002 Volkswagen Passat. The team is traveling from Sweden to Finland in extrem...
De Olyphant cooks according to Italian principles – the chef comes from Zoldering
De Olyphant is a new bistro in Amsterdam’s Weesperzijde neighborhood, opened by the team behind Pizza Project and featuring chef Maarten van Westrop from the Michelin-starred Zoldering. The restaura...
Haarlem home hit again: Another explosion at previous arson target
An explosion occurred early this morning at a residence on Archipelstraat in Haarlem-Noord, damaging the front door but causing no injuries. This incident is the fourth attack on the property, followi...
Two boys (11 and 14) and girl (12) arrested for assault and threats with imitation firearm
Three minors aged 11, 12, and 14 were arrested in Uithoorn for allegedly assaulting a girl and threatening her with an imitation firearm following a long-standing conflict. The suspects reportedly for...
Houtfestival takes a one-year break to consider its future
The Houtfestival in Haarlem has been cancelled for 2024 after the local municipality offered only a partial subsidy of €48,000 instead of the requested €80,000. Organizers will use this one-year h...
IJmond youth violence trial: Attempted manslaughter suspect in court today
An 18-year-old man from IJmuiden is appearing in court today on charges of attempted manslaughter following a wave of severe youth violence that recently destabilized the IJmond region. The violence, ...