Haarlem gears up for the holidays already: lights are already up

Despite the mild October weather, Haarlem has begun the annual tradition of installing festive holiday lighting throughout the city center. Workers started the process at the Stationsplein, following a long-standing local practice that dates back to the period shortly after the Second World War. The installations are managed by the Haarlem Lichtstad foundation on behalf of local business owners, with designs featuring the city name and silhouettes of the iconic Grote- of Sint-Bavokerk.

Installateur Guy Timmers, a fourth-generation business owner, is overseeing the project with his colleague Wesley. They are currently outfitting major shopping streets like the Barteljorisstraat and the Kruisstraat, utilizing high-access platforms to secure the fixtures between buildings. Each unit takes approximately fifteen minutes to install, allowing the team to progress quickly through the city's key thoroughfares. While the lights are not scheduled to be turned on immediately, the city is well on its way to preparing its infrastructure for the upcoming holiday season.