Lifestyle News in English
Latest lifestyle headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.

'They laughingly flip the bird': Bellatrixstraat residents send urgent list of demands to municipality to combat street racing and decay
Residents of Bellatrixstraat in the municipality of Velsen have sent a formal letter to local authorities demanding action against street racing, intimidation, and neighborhood neglect. In response, t...

They're already here: Harry Styles fans already camping out for Saturday's concert
Fans have begun queuing outside the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam days ahead of Harry Styles' concert this Saturday. Although official camping is prohibited, fans from various countries are using a...
Weekend tips: things to do in Amsterdam from May 15 to 17
This article provides recommendations for activities in Amsterdam during the long Ascension Day weekend from May 15 to 17. It highlights that there are many events and things to do within the city for...
Xillan Macrooy writes about growing up as a queer boy in Suriname: ‘The world needs our dreams’
These were the best-selling books at Scheltema this week

Predicted road congestion ‘coming true’, says ANWB
The ANWB reported that Wednesday's evening rush hour was significantly heavier than usual, with traffic jams peaking at 995 kilometers by late afternoon. This congestion marks the third busiest evenin...

Haroon Ali: 'How do we make death less abstract?'
Feminist and writer Karin Spaink has passed away after planning her own death over several months. Her final column, 'Exit Spaink,' has prompted reflections on making the topic of death less abstract ...

Video | Ferry Doedens after court case: 'I've made it quite difficult for myself'
Small house near Paradiso for sale? ‘A woman called saying she wants to use it as a doghouse’
Why was the Music On festival cancelled at the last minute?
Fully booked accommodations and reserving sunbeds: home exchange makes it unnecessary
House swapping is growing in popularity as a cost-effective alternative to traditional vacation stays, allowing travelers to live in someone else's home while their own is occupied. This approach help...

Give your opinion on the new housing rules from 2027
The city of Amsterdam is proposing updates to its housing regulations within the Housing Ordinance (HVV) starting in 2027. Residents and stakeholders are invited to share their opinions and provide fe...
Bloemendaal beaches awarded Blue Flag again
The beaches of Bloemendaal aan Zee and Parnassia have once again been awarded the international Blue Flag certification for excellence in safety, water quality, and sustainability. This annual recogni...
Another surge of fraudulent FIFA domain names and websites: ‘Don’t fall for it’
Cybercriminals have registered nearly 10,000 new FIFA-related domain names in April to deceive users with fake World Cup merchandise discounts. At least 240 of these sites have been confirmed as fraud...

Early birds watch sunrise atop A'dam Tower for its anniversary
Early birds gathered atop Amsterdam's A'dam Tower to celebrate its tenth anniversary with a sunrise view, silent disco, and rooftop activities. Originally built for Shell in 1966 and reopened as a mul...

Love Haarlem? Make it your job!
The Haarlem Initiatievenschool is offering a series of free training sessions and workshops throughout 2026 to help residents develop social and sustainable projects for the city. These sessions cover...

Sharing sportswear in your own neighborhood
The SWOP ON platform, created by initiator Bianca, facilitates the local exchange of secondhand sports clothing and equipment to promote sustainability and reduce costs. Supported by a circular econom...

Arnhem schools and municipality urge: 'Give your child a phone as late as possible'
Nineteen schools, childcare organizations, and the municipality of Arnhem are advising parents to wait as long as possible before giving children smartphones. They also recommend that children under s...

Cheetah escapes enclosure at Beekse Bergen, park closed
A cheetah escaped its enclosure at the Beekse Bergen safari park on Wednesday, leading to the park's temporary closure as a precaution. Staff are currently monitoring the animal within the park's peri...
Is the fatbike ban in Vondelpark smart? What readers think: ‘They’ll just be back in a few months’

LAKS: significantly more exam complaints this year
The Dutch student organization LAKS reports a significant increase in exam complaints, with 165,000 reports filed within the first four days of the testing period. This figure represents a sharp rise ...

Lowlands expands lineup with Celeste, Willem, Sophie Straat and Kelis
The Lowlands festival in Biddinghuizen has expanded its lineup by adding fourteen new acts, including Celeste, Willem, Sophie Straat, and Kelis. Other notable performers joining the schedule include V...

First Eurovision semi-final without the Netherlands attracts few viewers
The first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest attracted only 541,000 viewers in the Netherlands, a significant decrease from previous years. This low viewership is attributed to a local boycott ...

Abolishing first herring barrel auction 'end of a beautiful tradition', stakeholders disappointed by wholesaler's decision
Stakeholders expressed disappointment following the decision to cancel the traditional auction of the first barrel of 'Hollandse Nieuwe' herring in Scheveningen. This annual event marks the end of a l...

Roadworks on Camplaan Heemstede due to gas pipe
Utility provider Stedin has started maintenance on a gas pipeline on Camplaan-West in Heemstede, necessitating a road closure for at least one week. Local traffic is being diverted while the work is c...

Never expected, but it happened: Yorick meets his hero Paul McCartney
Haarlem musician Yorick van Norden fulfilled a lifelong dream by attending a private album presentation by Paul McCartney at the legendary Abbey Road Studios in London. The singer-songwriter, who cons...

Study shows cultural activities are as good for you as sports
New research suggests that regularly engaging in cultural and artistic activities, such as painting or visiting museums, can slow the physical aging process. These activities are found to contribute t...
For years Rudie didn't know what was wrong with his body until his Parkinson's diagnosis
After years of experiencing unexplained physical symptoms, Rudie felt a sense of relief upon finally being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. While he manages to maintain his routine at work, he face...
53 municipal notices on construction, demolition, tree removal, and hospitality in Haarlem last week
The municipality of Haarlem processed 53 permit applications last week concerning construction, demolition, tree removal, and hospitality activities. While 52 of the notifications involve projects wit...
Jacket or T-shirt: the weather in Haarlem during the Ascension weekend
Haarlem residents can expect a long weekend for Ascension Day starting Thursday, May 14, 2026. The article provides a weather forecast for the period to help locals decide whether to wear a jacket or ...