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.
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, ...
Ukrainian supermarket workers surprised by photo in Haarlem picture book
A supermarket owner in Haarlem-Noord honored his Ukrainian employees by featuring their group photo on the back cover of a new historical picture book about the city. The staff, who arrived as refugee...
Person injured in Haarlem house fire
A person was injured and hospitalized following a house fire on Kleverparkweg in Haarlem around 1:00 PM today. The fire, which was quickly brought under control, reportedly started during maintenance ...
Once a German defense line, now a sanctuary for all kinds of animals
Remnants of the WWII Atlantikwall defense line in Zuid-Kennemerland National Park have become vital habitats for local wildlife, such as bunkers serving as bat hibernacula and water-filled tank ditche...
End of the road for Haarlem nature garden? "Ten years of work gone"
Board members of a permaculture garden in Haarlem fear their decade of ecological work will be destroyed by municipal plans to raise the site's ground level with a meter of sand. While the city argues...
More attention from boys than from the press: Lidy (92) skated at the Olympics
Lidy Stoppelman, now 92, was the first Dutch figure skater to compete in the Winter Olympics during the 1952 Games in Oslo. Despite receiving little media attention or official support from the Dutch ...
Two injured in car-bus collision near Schiphol: intersection temporarily closed
A car driver was seriously injured and a bus passenger sustained minor injuries following a collision between their vehicles near Schiphol Airport on Tuesday afternoon. Emergency services responded to...
North Holland municipalities fined for investigating Muslim residents
The Dutch Data Protection Authority has fined ten municipalities a total of €250,000 for conducting secret investigations into the religious and political backgrounds of their Muslim residents. Thes...
Fines for nuisance at Roerdompplein
Haarlem Mayor Jos Wienen has imposed a conditional €1,000 fine on 12 youths following nearly two years of persistent nuisance, vandalism, and intimidation at Roerdompplein. Under this administrative...
A9 finally open again after accident
The A9 highway towards Amstelveen has reopened following a closure caused by a morning collision between a truck and a car. One driver was hospitalized with injuries, and the road remained shut until ...
Spaarndammer shot neighbor in leg out of pure despair: Terrorized for years
A man in Spaarndam shot his neighbor in the leg following years of severe harassment and threats that local authorities reportedly failed to address despite over 100 complaints. During a community mee...
Ernesto and his family evacuate during major fire: Banging on the door in the night
A severe house fire in Hoofddorp's Antje Breijerstraat forced the evacuation of nearly twenty residents and resulted in one woman being hospitalized for observation. Three homes sustained damage, with...
Ray of hope for new Westeinder campsite owner: municipality issues permit after all
The municipality of Haarlemmermeer has granted an operating permit to Kleen Estate for camping De Westeinder, reversing an earlier refusal based on past asbestos violations. While this is a legal vict...
Long-standing neighbor dispute in Spaarndam preceded gun violence
A 69-year-old man was shot in the leg in Spaarndam yesterday following a long-running dispute with a neighbor. A 68-year-old suspect subsequently surrendered to police and confessed to the shooting, w...
Three houses damaged after major fire, one person hospitalized
A fire broke out at a residence on Antje Breijerstraat in Hoofddorp early this morning, injuring one person and damaging three homes. Approximately 20 residents were temporarily evacuated to a nearby ...
One injured in Spaarndam shooting, suspect (68) turns himself in
A victim was hospitalized with a leg wound following a shooting at Zijkanaal C in Spaarndam on Tuesday afternoon. A 68-year-old suspect later turned himself in to the police, where a handgun was seize...
Gravestone found in thrift store returned to family: All's well that ends well
A gravestone belonging to a woman who died in 1989 was successfully returned to her relatives after being discovered among the inventory of a thrift store in Aalsmeer, Netherlands. Store owner Gideon ...
Unrest in Uithoorn over removal of sensitive Schiphol enforcement point
Residents of Uithoorn are protesting the removal of a key noise enforcement point used to monitor Schiphol Airport's aircraft noise, fearing it will mask structural violations and reduce financial com...
Memarian family makes royal carpets: formerly in Iran, now in the Netherlands
Sadegh Memarian, who fled Iran in 1995 to escape political repression, has established a renowned carpet restoration studio in Cruquius, Netherlands. Continuing a multi-generational family craft that ...
First wild baby rabbits arrive at shelter extremely early: 'Won't survive the freezing cold'
Three wild baby rabbits were brought to the Krommenie wildlife shelter after being discovered unusually early at a construction site in Hoofddorp, Netherlands. Experts believe their nest was disturbed...
Haarlemmermeer Lyceum discriminated against student by preventing prayer at school
The Netherlands Institute for Human Rights has ruled that Haarlemmermeer Lyceum in Hoofddorp discriminated against a Muslim student by preventing her from praying and refusing to establish a quiet roo...
Scent card to identify drug labs
Police and local authorities in Haarlem recently distributed specialized scent cards to business owners in the Waarderpolder to help them identify the anise-like smell associated with XTC production. ...
Poor condition of Leidsevaart quay
The municipality of Haarlem is implementing traffic restrictions at the Leidsevaart near the Prins Hendrikbrug to repair the quay's deteriorating condition starting in February. While initial safety m...
Love for Haarlem
The municipality of Haarlem and Stadmakers Haarlem are hosting "The Big Initiatives Day" on Saturday, February 14, at the PHIL to connect residents involved in local social and sustainability projects...
Haarlem takes extra step against discrimination
The city of Haarlem has introduced a new action plan for 2026-2028 aimed at preventing discrimination by improving reporting awareness, establishing an organizational "allies network," and honoring co...
Activities at the cemeteries
The Haarlem municipal cemeteries have announced upcoming activities, including a guided walk focusing on monumental trees at Kleverlaan Cemetery on March 29, 2026. Additionally, the chapel at St. Joze...
Disclosure of documents and information regarding diversity and inclusion Part 2
The City of Haarlem has disclosed documents and information regarding diversity and inclusion following a request made under the Open Government Act (Woo). The request was originally submitted by an i...
HaarlemPas helps with pet costs
Starting January 19, 2026, the municipality of Haarlem will provide financial assistance for pet care to low-income residents holding a HaarlemPas. The pilot program offers up to €200 annually for g...
Holocaust Commemoration Haarlem
The city of Haarlem will hold a Holocaust Remembrance ceremony on Sunday, January 25th, starting with a mayoral speech at the city hall at 1:00 PM. Participants will then join a silent march to the Je...
Business premises closed after discovery of drugs and fireworks
Mayor Jos Wienen has closed three business premises in the Waarderpolder industrial area of Haarlem after police discovered 666 hemp plants and nearly 1,100 kilograms of illegal fireworks. The illegal...