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.

Participation council seeks new members
The Participatieraad Haarlem is seeking new volunteers to provide independent advice on local social policies. Residents with relevant experience are invited to apply by December 20, 2026, for a four-...
Haarlem discusses new hospitality policy at Politiek Café in Den Uiver
The Haarlem municipal council is organizing a public meeting on November 16 at Den Uiver to discuss the development of a new hospitality policy for 2027. Stakeholders, including residents and business...

Two injured in Haarlem accident
Two people were injured in a two-vehicle collision on the Boerhaavelaan in Haarlem on Tuesday evening. Emergency services responded to the scene and transported both victims to the hospital as police ...

Significant damage after explosion at home in Lisserbroek during Halloween parade
A powerful explosion caused by heavy fireworks damaged a home on Azollastraat in Lisserbroek yesterday evening during a local Halloween event. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and police are cu...

When every second counts: thirty Haarlem residents now have their own AED
Thirty volunteers in Haarlem have been provided with personal AEDs as part of a pilot project to reduce response times during cardiac emergencies. Researchers from the Amsterdam UMC are analyzing whet...
This green drink is more popular than ever: 5 x matcha in the heart of Haarlem
Matcha has become a popular and trendy beverage in Haarlem, celebrated for its potential health benefits and versatility in both drinks and baked goods. Five local establishments, including The Happin...

No trains between Haarlem and Beverwijk due to track work
Train services between Haarlem and Beverwijk will be suspended from November 2 until November 7 to allow for track maintenance and station upgrades. During this period, travelers can use replacement s...

Ukraine wins street fishing world championship in Haarlem, Netherlands 'somewhat disappointing' ninth
Ukraine won the World Street Fishing Championship held in Haarlem, while France and Moldova took the remaining podium spots. Team Holland finished in a disappointing ninth place out of fifteen countri...
Get to work at the Nature Work Days in Haarlem
The Nationale Natuurwerkdagen will be held on November 6 and 7, providing hundreds of volunteer opportunities nationwide to support nature conservation and landscape maintenance. Haarlem residents can...

No wild morels for pancakes due to drought
Extreme drought has made it impossible to forage for wild morels this spring, forcing chefs to seek alternative sources for their pancake recipes. To complement the dish, they gathered wild garlic and...

Georgians catch perch one after another from the Spaarne as Streetfishing World Championship begins
The streetfishing world championship has begun in Haarlem with fifteen international teams competing to catch the longest predatory fish in the city's canals. Competitors follow strict rules to ensure...
Haarlem population density has been rising continuously since 2021
Haarlem's population density has shown continuous growth since 2021, reaching nearly 5,800 residents per square kilometer. This trend reflects a broader increase across the Netherlands, though Haarlem...
Museum van de Geest in Haarlem wins Participation Prize for employers
Museum van de Geest in Haarlem has received the Participatieprijs for its outstanding commitment to inclusive employment practices in the South Kennemerland region. The museum was recognized for succe...
Pick up this book for free at Haarlem libraries (and you can keep it)
During the month of November, Haarlem libraries are participating in the national campaign Heel Nederland Leest by giving away free copies of Herman Koch's novel Het diner. Anyone can claim a copy reg...
Haarlem Participation Council seeks new members
The Participatieraad Haarlem is looking for new volunteer members to advise local government on social policies related to housing, welfare, and healthcare. Interested residents of Haarlem have until ...
Cabinet on edge over weekend riot plans, shops boarded up: ‘Worrying signals’
Dutch authorities are monitoring reports of potential riots and looting scheduled for the upcoming weekend following social media calls. In response, businesses in some cities have boarded up their st...
30 years of hardcore, kissing and partying: Frank & Nick celebrate their anniversary in Haarlem
The party duo Frank and Nick are celebrating 30 years of hosting iconic 90s-themed events in Haarlem with an anniversary celebration at Patronaat on November 6. The event invites guests aged 30 and ol...
Youths share calls for riots in Dutch cities, schools warn
Dutch schools and authorities are on high alert after social media messages began encouraging youth to riot and loot stores in various cities this weekend. While police are monitoring the situation, s...
Weekend tips: things to do in Haarlem (October 30 - November 1)
Haarlem is offering a variety of Halloween-themed events and community activities from October 30 to November 1, including haunted house experiences, music performances, and craft workshops. Several l...
Number of millionaires in Haarlem has almost sextupled since 2014
The number of millionaire households in Haarlem has surged nearly sixfold since 2014, reaching approximately 7,100 households with a combined wealth of 15.9 billion euros. Data from the Central Bureau...
15-year-old boy from Noordoostpolder arrested for violent robbery
A 15-year-old boy from Noordoostpolder and two other teenagers have been arrested for a violent robbery in Haarlem that occurred last June. The 16-year-old victim was stabbed multiple times during the...

Drunk driver swerves across Zandvoort roads and loses license
A female driver was arrested in Zandvoort for driving under the influence after reports of her swerving and traveling against traffic. She refused further testing at the police station, resulting in t...

Prison sentences of up to two years for brutal assault of 17-year-old from Haarlem
Two men were sentenced to prison by the Haarlem court for the brutal 2023 assault of a 17-year-old victim, an incident that went viral on social media and sparked regional unrest. The victim was sever...

Towards a new cultural policy
The municipality of Haarlem has started planning its arts and culture policy for the period beginning in 2029. Local authorities will consult with residents and cultural stakeholders starting in 2027 ...
Laughing! You will see this Haarlem comedian in the new program Wat speelt er
The new improvisational comedy show Wat speelt er premieres tonight on NPO1, featuring comedians reacting to current news without a script. Haarlem comedian Anniek Pheifer is among the performers part...

Chimney fire in Spaarndam quickly under control
Firefighters successfully extinguished a chimney fire that broke out at a row house on Dokter W. Nijestraat in Spaarndam this evening. All residents evacuated safely, and an investigation into the cau...
85 percent of houses in Haarlem sold within three months
Data from Dynamis reveals that 85 percent of homes in Haarlem were sold within three months during the third quarter, a slight decrease from the previous year. While the volume of house sales in the r...

Broad support for childcare benefits scandal
The municipality of Haarlem is providing comprehensive, personalized support for local residents recognized as victims of the childcare benefits scandal. This aid covers five life domains, including f...

Haarlem quay wall remains unrepaired: street stays one-way traffic
A section of the Donkere Spaarne in Haarlem remains closed to two-way traffic due to a deteriorating quay wall that is in worse condition than expected. Local authorities are now conducting safety ins...

Former athlete and former Member of Parliament Sterk (80) has passed away
Mieke Sterk, a former Dutch athlete and PvdA Member of Parliament, has passed away at age 80. A Haarlem native, she won twenty national titles and competed in the 1968 Olympics before later serving in...