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.
Dam removed in Leidsevaart, water board scales back drought measures
Due to recent rainfall, the Rijnland Water Board has lifted some drought-related measures, including removing a barrier in the Leidsevaart near Heemstede. While water levels and quality have improved, the water board warns that the drought is not over and continues to monitor freshwater availability.
Shoot Your Shot is looking for young film talent
The film venue De Schuur is inviting young people aged 12 to 21 to submit their film ideas for the 2026 edition of Shoot Your Shot. Participants can register until September 30, with this year's creat...
Man arrested in Amsterdam for fatal traffic accident and assault
A 32-year-old man was arrested in Amsterdam for his involvement in a fatal motorcycle accident and a prior assault that occurred on June 24 in Bloemendaal aan Zee. The suspect's passenger died from in...
Haarlem district designated for rapid construction of 6,000 homes: "A good step"
The Dutch government has designated the Schalkwijk district in Haarlem as a national large-scale housing development area to accelerate the construction of 5,000 to 6,000 new homes. This designation p...
No public transport in Haarlem on Wednesday, September 9: national strike to go ahead
A nationwide public transport strike is scheduled to proceed as planned on Wednesday, September 9. Consequently, commuters in Haarlem will face disruptions to their travel services.
Beach bus pilot to Zandvoort ends: will it return next year?
A pilot program for a shuttle bus service connecting travelers from surrounding areas to the beaches of Bloemendaal and Zandvoort has concluded. Local authorities in the province of Noord-Holland will...
Municipality and central government collaborate to speed up construction in Schalkwijk
The Dutch government has designated the Schalkwijk area in Haarlem as a 'National Large-scale Housing Location' to accelerate the construction of over 5,000 new homes. This status provides the municip...
Motorist (25) arrested in Heemstede after positive drug test and discovery of nitrous oxide
A 25-year-old driver from Amstelveen was arrested in Heemstede after testing positive for cannabis during a traffic stop. Police confiscated five cylinders of nitrous oxide and a quantity of soft drug...
Children aged 12 and under can attend youth performances for free at Stadsschouwburg Haarlem
Stadsschouwburg Haarlem is offering free admission to children aged 12 and under for two youth performances this year. The theater will host the shows Contra and Robin Hood as part of this initiative.
37 reports made to the municipality last week regarding construction in Haarlem and other issues
The municipality of Haarlem processed 37 permit applications last week regarding various local projects, including construction. Residents are encouraged to review the provided list to see how these d...
Number of divorces falls in Haarlem, but less sharply than nationwide
Recent data from CBS shows that the number of divorces in Haarlem has decreased from 489 in 2018 to 454 in 2025. While local divorce rates are declining, the national trend across the Netherlands show...
Hearing on squatted school building: can squatters stay?
Squatters occupying a former school building in Zwanenburg, Haarlemmermeer, are set to attend a court hearing regarding the municipality's request for eviction. The squatters argue that the building s...
Search operation in Overveen dunes involved missing 47-year-old from Haarlem
A 47-year-old man from Haarlem has been reported missing since Sunday evening after last being seen in the city. Police and the Veteran Search Team conducted a search in the dunes near Overveen, but t...
Roadworks on Zeeweg near Zandvoort cause temporary closures
The province of North Holland is conducting roadwork on the Zeeweg (N200) near Zandvoort. This will result in temporary road closures on September 1, 2, 8, and 9.
Are the hot days over? Here is the weather forecast for September in Haarlem
After a period of heavy rain in late August, residents of Haarlem are looking ahead to September's weather outlook. Meteorologist Floris Lafeber provides a forecast regarding whether the city can expe...
Minister wants to accelerate construction of 30,000 homes at five new locations
The Dutch cabinet has designated five new locations across the Netherlands, including Haarlem, to accelerate the construction of 30,000 homes. This initiative aims to address housing shortages by prio...
Homes evacuated after kitchen fire at restaurant in Nieuw-Vennep
A fire broke out in the kitchen of a restaurant on Hoofdweg in Nieuw-Vennep early Tuesday morning, prompting the evacuation of residents living in apartments above the building. Firefighters successfu...
Running red lights or texting while cycling? Haarlemmermeer community officers can now issue fines
Special investigation officers (boa's) in Haarlemmermeer have been granted new authority to issue fines for traffic violations such as phone use while cycling and running red lights. The initiative ai...
Party for the Animals Haarlem holds nature walk near Spaarndam
The Party for the Animals in Haarlem is organizing a nature walk through the Land van Gruijters. The event is scheduled to take place on Sunday, September 27, starting at 10:00 AM at Visserseinde 22 i...
Rain does not stop the hornet: nests still being built
The invasive Asian hornet continues to build nests across the Netherlands despite recent heavy rainfall, posing a threat to local biodiversity and bee populations. Local beekeepers are actively workin...
Still have fireworks at home? Hand them in on October 1st
Following the implementation of a nationwide firework ban in the Netherlands, residents can safely and anonymously surrender prohibited fireworks on October 1, 2026. A dedicated collection point will ...
Applications for grid capacity for construction projects
The municipality of Haarlem is urging project developers, housing corporations, and school boards to register construction projects for electrical grid capacity by September 14, 2026. This initiative ...
Splinter Chabot speaks in Haarlem about identity and mental health
Writer and presenter Splinter Chabot will host a lecture on identity, vulnerability, and mental health at the Museum van de Geest in Haarlem. The event is scheduled to take place on Thursday, Septembe...
Old Catholic Church in Haarlem elects female bishop
The Old Catholic Diocese of Haarlem has elected Erna Peijnenburg as its new bishop, marking the first time a woman has held this position within the Old Catholic Church in the Netherlands. She was cho...
Police search for missing person in dunes near Overveen
Police, assisted by the Veteran Search Team and a helicopter, are currently searching for a missing person in the dunes near Overveen. The search effort was initiated after the missing individual's ve...
From Marilyn Monroe to Buster Keaton: these are the classics to see at the Haarlem Classic Film Festival
The Haarlem Classic Film Festival is taking place in September, featuring iconic films starring legends like Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, and Buster Keaton. Moviegoers in Haarlem can enjoy a select...
Car set on fire in Haarlem, perpetrator flees
A car was set on fire on the Erasmuslaan in Haarlem late yesterday evening. The perpetrator, who was caught on camera, fled the scene on a bicycle and remains at large.
Ajax heads toward transfer chaos: ‘I hope we will soon have a squad that can compete for trophies’
Ajax secured a comfortable 4-0 victory against Telstar in a match held in Haarlem. Despite the win, the club faces a challenging final three days of the transfer window, with management aiming to fina...
Maaike (51) from Haarlem missing after natural disaster in Nepal
Maaike Moolhuijsen, a 51-year-old woman from Haarlem, has been reported missing following severe floods in Nepal that occurred last Wednesday. Families of Moolhuijsen and another missing Dutch travele...
LIVE Eredivisie | Struggling Ajax takes lead against Telstar through Davy Klaassen
Ajax is playing an away match against Telstar in Velsen-Zuid as they look to secure three points before their upcoming home game against PSV. Davy Klaassen has given the visiting team an early lead in...
About Haarlem News in English
Haarlem news in English, sourced from Dutch local publishers including Haarlems Dagblad and NH Nieuws and translated for the international community. Coverage spans Haarlem city and the wider Kennemerland region — Heemstede, Bloememdaal, Velsen, Beverwijk, Zandvoort and IJmuiden — including municipal politics, housing and rental market developments, traffic and roadworks on the A9 and A22, school and university news, festivals at Grote Markt and Patronaat, restaurant and shop openings, crime reports and emergency incidents. Updated throughout the day so internationals living in Haarlem and the Kennemerland region can follow local news without needing to read Dutch.