Lifestyle News in English

Wijk aan Zee beach to get smoke-free zone in 2027, signs being installed this season

The Beverwijk city council has decided to establish a smoke-free zone on the family beach of Wijk aan Zee starting in the 2027 season. Preparatory signs will be installed this year following consultat...

Is the end near for Heemskerk Festival? Funding shortage threatens to ruin plans. 'A crying shame', but organizers refuse to charge admission

The future of the free Heemskerk Festival is uncertain due to significant budget deficits resulting from the loss of major sponsors and funds. Organizer Peter Zonneveld stated that despite the financi...

Why cheap meat deals are here to stay: ‘Supermarkets are not charities’

The Dutch supermarket chain Jumbo has resumed meat discounts after a two-year trial led to losses of tens of millions in revenue. The initiative failed because competitors did not follow suit, causing...

Jeroen was miserable in Zaandam

A very popular dating show is on TikTok – featuring a cheating blueberry

The dishes at Café Warung Pas are authentic and very affordable (9)

Joint call to politicians: Have the courage to be radically present in neighborhoods

Social and business leaders in Amsterdam have warned that the growing disconnect in vulnerable neighborhoods acts as a 'ticking time bomb' threatening social stability. They urge political and corpora...

Ria Valk: 'If the cancer returns, I won't seek treatment anymore'

At age 85, Dutch entertainer Ria Valk revealed that she will forgo further treatment if her breast cancer returns. She shared that she was diagnosed after thinking she no longer needed routine screeni...

De Haarlemse Bakker celebrates 25 years: 'It's a beautiful profession, you make something from nothing'

De Haarlemse Bakker is celebrating its 25th anniversary after being established to ensure bread supply continuity following the bankruptcy of another local bakery. Now run by the Van Esdonk family, th...

The 'Krommeniedijk Triplets' turn 80: 'We're not inseparable, but we are very close'

A set of triplets born in Krommeniedijk shortly after World War II recently celebrated their 80th birthday with a large party. After being featured annually in local newspapers as children, they chose...

Nine entrepreneurs locked in Adamas Center Nieuw-Vennep to raise money for cancer patients

Nine local entrepreneurs are participating in a fundraising event called 'The Lock Up' at the Adamas Center in Nieuw-Vennep to support individuals living with cancer. The participants aim to raise don...

We're pretending it's spring

The author expresses frustration with the current unpredictable spring weather, which alternates rapidly between cold and hot temperatures. The piece humorously compares these erratic temperature shif...

Fred’s Coffee is new in Amsterdam: ‘We sell attention, the coffee is extra’

Fred's coffee has recently opened in Amsterdam-West near De Hallen, offering a space that prioritizes personal attention and connection. The coffee shop aims to provide a welcoming atmosphere where cu...

At least 44,000 Amsterdammers married to someone of the same sex

A CBS study reveals that Amsterdam has the highest number of same-sex marriages in the Netherlands, with at least 44,000 residents married to a partner of the same sex. The city is preparing to celebr...

Olav Molenaar dropped from Holland Eight and now among naked swimmers at the Varsity: ‘Suddenly a hundred men are hanging onto your boat’

Olav Molenaar, an Olympic and World Championship silver medalist with the Holland Acht, is retiring from professional rowing at the age of 27. He will make his final appearance this Sunday at the Vars...

Rómulo Meléndez on the first words he learned in Amsterdam: ‘My trick? I ask for orange juice’

Accident in Velsertunnel towards IJmuiden causes delays

An accident involving at least one vehicle occurred in the Velsertunnel on Friday afternoon, causing a three-kilometer traffic jam towards IJmuiden. Significant delays were also reported for motorists...

Evert Spaans is right, residents must help the municipality with green space management

An opinion piece and poll invite residents to vote on whether they should assist the municipality with the maintenance of public green spaces, as suggested by Evert Spaans. The initiative encourages c...

Politics on the Amstel: Does Progressive Netherlands really want to form a coalition in Amsterdam without D66?

Zita Pels, leader of the Progressief Nederland party in Amsterdam, is exploring a potential coalition with the VVD and Partij voor de Dieren, which would exclude D66 from the city executive. Local jou...

Fecal bacteria in drinking water in East, boil-water advisory for 120 addresses

Waternet has issued a boil water advisory for 120 addresses in Amsterdam East after E. coli bacteria were discovered during maintenance work on Blasiusstraat and Camperstraat. Residents are advised to...

Uitgeest station waiting room targeted by vandals again

The waiting room at Uitgeest station has been targeted by vandals multiple times recently, with windows smashed just one week after the door was broken. Safety glass is currently being held in place w...

Savannah Guthrie returns to TODAY: 'It's my family'

Savannah Guthrie has returned to her role on the NBC News program TODAY following a two-month leave of absence. Guthrie had been away after her mother went missing and described the program's team as ...

Why the lights are going out at many Haarlem restaurants on Saturday night

On Saturday night, March 28, 2026, numerous restaurants and locations in Haarlem will turn off their lights for one hour as part of a planned event. This is not a power outage, and electricity will be...

Football coach Ted Verdonkschot is doing well: ‘It’s as if they’ve turned on an oxygen tap’

Football trainer Ted Verdonkschot is making a steady recovery less than two months after suffering a heart attack. The 62-year-old Haarlem native has already returned to football activities within the...

Grid costs could double to 1,200 euros per year: pay attention to when you charge

Electricity grid costs in the Netherlands are projected to double, potentially reaching 1,200 euros per year for households. To prevent grid overload, energy providers plan to increase rates during pe...

Wienen: Haarlem cafes allowed to extend opening hours during World Cup in America

Mayor Wienen has announced that cafes in Haarlem will be permitted to extend their opening hours to broadcast World Cup matches held in America this summer. The mayor clarified that current regulation...

Suzan & Freek and De Jeugd van Tegenwoordig at first paid edition of Appelpop

The Appelpop festival has announced its lineup for September 11 and 12, featuring performers such as Suzan & Freek, BLØF, and De Jeugd Van Tegenwoordig. This upcoming edition marks a significant chan...

Place fences instead of signs in Korte Houtstraat to enforce cycling ban

A new proposal suggests installing physical fences instead of signs to enforce the bicycle ban in the Korte Houtstraat in Haarlem. The public is invited to share their opinions on this measure as part...

'No-cycling signs don’t work. That’s why we want gates at the end of Korte Houtstraat'

Residents of Korte Houtstraat are requesting physical barriers to enforce a cycling ban that is currently being ignored, creating dangerous conditions in the narrow street. They argue that existing pr...

Police seize docked dog: serious jaw injuries to another dog after biting incident

Police in Amsterdam confiscated a pitbull after it severely injured another dog's jaw during an incident at Van Oldenbarneveldplein. The pitbull, which had illegal cropped ears and was wearing a shock...