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.
Zandvoort prepares for huge crowds: "All plans are in place"
Zandvoort is preparing for large crowds and potential antisocial behavior during upcoming warm weather and the Historic Grand Prix. Following previous disturbances, authorities have safety plans and t...
Haarlem residents sought for photo project with newcomers: Seeing each other as human again
The Museum of Humanity is seeking ten residents of Haarlem to participate in a photography project alongside newcomers living in asylum shelters. This initiative aims to foster human connection throug...
Ji Hee de Valk (D66) returns to Haarlem city council: ‘Young caregivers need support’
Ji Hee de Valk was re-installed as a D66 city council member in Haarlem on Wednesday, succeeding Dimitry van den Berg. De Valk, a privacy expert, takes over the seat after Van den Berg resigned to bec...
Swarm of bees settles in car in Haarlem
A swarm of bees settled in a parked car on Tappersweg in Haarlem, necessitating the intervention of a beekeeper. The specialist was called to the scene to safely remove the insects from the vehicle.
Street harassment reporting point under fire shortly after launch: 'Hard to find, laughable first question'
A newly launched reporting point for street intimidation in Haarlem is facing criticism from local council members shortly after its opening. Critics highlight the platform's poor visibility and a con...
'Don't touch that sweet boy': Entire street flies rainbow flags after threat to 11-year-old
Residents of Oosterstraat in Haarlem have displayed rainbow flags in solidarity with an 11-year-old neighbor who received a threatening letter for hanging one himself. The community unified to support...
Schoonzichtlaan motorhome site allowed to stay longer: 'Contributes to social safety'
The Urban Camperspot on Schoonzichtlaan in Haarlem will remain open longer than expected as the municipality has decided to delay its closure until construction for new housing and a bridge begins. Lo...
Haarlem venue popular among jazz musicians as recording location; Guus Janssen Trio presents ‘Live at the Pletterij’
The Haarlem venue De Pletterij has become a popular recording location for jazz musicians seeking a natural, unamplified sound. Pianist Guus Janssen and his trio are presenting their new album, 'Live ...
Pesticides still ending up in ditches at bulb growers, water board sees ‘increasing number of exceedances’
The Rijnland water board reports that pesticides from bulb growers continue to contaminate local ditches, leading to an increase in regulatory violations. In response, the water board will conduct str...
Haarlem Grachtenloop organizers ready for tropical 30th edition, but uncertainty remains: 10km may be scrapped
The 30th edition of the Grachtenloop in Haarlem, scheduled for June 19, may be modified due to expected extreme heat and humidity. Organizers are considering canceling the 10-kilometer race to ensure ...
Spaarndamseweg cycle path closed for 18 months? Riding against traffic instead: ‘Cyclists always take the shortest route’
Cyclists in Haarlem are ignoring official detour routes and riding against traffic following the 1.5-year closure of a bike path on the Spaarndamseweg. Many riders prefer the shorter route over the ci...
Hospi Housing: Help a student find a room
The city of Haarlem is partnering with the platform Hospi Housing to encourage residents to rent out spare rooms to students and young professionals. This initiative aims to address the housing shorta...
V&D hotel plan backed by Haarlem city council despite ban; exception being explored
The Haarlem city government is considering an exception to its hotel ban to allow the conversion of the former V&D building into a hotel. Owners of the historic property at Verwulft requested the chan...
48 municipal notifications for demolition and tree felling in Haarlem last week
The municipality of Haarlem processed 48 permit applications related to demolition and tree removal over the past week. These reports allow residents to stay informed about upcoming environmental and ...
Two cars on fire in Haarlem, police suspect arson
Police in Haarlem are investigating a suspected case of arson after two vehicles were set on fire on the Robert Kochlaan early Wednesday morning. The incident was reported around 5:30 AM, and authorit...
Hundreds to walk through Haarlem at night next weekend (and this is why)
Hundreds of people are expected to walk through the streets of Haarlem during the night of Saturday, June 20, to Sunday, June 21. The event will take place in the early morning hours, creating a uniqu...
Debate at De Pletterij about Werf Conrad, the gift Haarlem refuses to unwrap?
A debate will be held on June 23 at the Pletterij regarding the preservation of Werf Conrad in Haarlem. Participants will discuss whether the municipality is overlooking the site's significant cultura...
Snack-bar-free neighborhood in Haarlem-East potentially off the table: ‘It is really very difficult’
The Haarlem city government may abandon plans for a snack bar-free zone in the new Hart voor Oostpoort neighborhood due to implementation difficulties. Outgoing councilor Floor Roduner indicated that ...
Battle over Spaarnwoude funding reignites: Haarlem and Haarlemmermeer take on Amsterdam and Velsen
The municipality of Haarlem is raising concerns over a funding shortage for the Spaarnwoude recreation area, specifically for the years 2028 and 2029. While Haarlem and Haarlemmermeer are pushing for ...
Eight rat nests under living room floor: Pests plague Haarlem neighborhood
Residents in Haarlem's Kleverpark neighborhood are facing a severe rat infestation, with some discovering nests under their floors and experiencing house subsidence due to sewer issues. A dispute has ...
The decline of Spaarnwoude is visible throughout the park, from Nazi graffiti to potholes
The municipality of Haarlem has raised concerns over the physical decline of the Spaarnwoude recreation area, citing a long-term lack of funding. Visible signs of neglect in the park include deteriora...
Amanda's son received a threatening letter after hanging a pride flag. The neighborhood rallied in support: 'We want to let our neighbor know he is welcome here'
After an eleven-year-old boy in Haarlem hung a Pride flag to celebrate Pride Month, his family received an anonymous threatening letter demanding its removal. The local community in the Indische Buurt...
Dutch World Cup matches to be shown in Haarlem pubs even after group stage
Mayor Jos Wienen has announced that Haarlem cafes will be allowed to broadcast the Dutch national team's World Cup matches, including those scheduled on non-regular nightlife evenings if the team adva...
Officer Alwin P. (57) was a tracking device expert and placed one under his secret mistress's car
Alwin P., a 57-year-old police expert in tracking beacons, is on trial for stalking his mistress using professional surveillance equipment. The victim testified in court that P. placed a tracker on he...
'Pride flags being pulled from windows': Haarlem Council wants to step up efforts to help unsafe LGBTQ+ residents
The Haarlem city council is calling for more robust measures to ensure the safety of LGBTI residents following reports of pride flags being torn from windows. Council members emphasize that structural...
Vulnerable elderly brighten up at Oppeppersclub: "Parties? There are too few of those"
The Oppeppersclub in the Haarlem region provides vulnerable elderly individuals with personalized day activities and social events to improve their quality of life. Organizers from care center Kenneme...
More Haarlem residents unable to work for second year in a row, highest number since 2017
The number of Haarlem residents receiving disability benefits has risen for the second year in a row, reaching its highest point since 2017. This increase was identified in recent data released by Sta...
Tallon Griekspoor immediately knocked out on Halle grass
Dutch tennis player Tallon Griekspoor was eliminated in the first round of the grass-court tournament in Halle, Germany. He lost in three sets to Japan's Sho Shimabukuro, who is ranked 97th in the wor...
Far fewer metros and World Pride: Busy and disruptive summer for public transport
Amsterdam's public transport operator GVB has announced major service disruptions this summer due to extensive maintenance on metro and tram lines from July 4 to August 16. Travel times are expected t...
Wienen refuses to tell FVD which hotel houses Haarlem status holders
Haarlem Mayor Jos Wienen has refused to disclose the specific hotel location where 30 status holders were urgently housed in June to FVD council member Senne Kroon. Wienen stated there is no necessity...