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.
58 municipal notices on construction, tree felling and traffic in Haarlem last week
The Haarlem municipality processed 58 permit applications last week concerning construction, tree felling, and traffic issues. Of these applications, 56 were specific to Haarlem while two related to t...
'You can create truly unique works of art here': Paul van Marissing (65) leaves Haarlem Graphic Atelier
Paul van Marissing is stepping down from Grafisch Atelier Haarlem after years of preserving traditional printing techniques. Despite the decline of industrial printing, he successfully promoted the un...
Haarlem launches second investigation into sinkhole at Donkere Spaarne
The municipality of Haarlem has launched a second investigation into sinkholes at the Donkere Spaarne quay as final repairs take place this week. While the damage is not severe enough to require movin...
Man rescued from water at the Nieuwe Gracht in Haarlem
A man was rescued from the water at the Nieuwe Gracht in Haarlem during the night of Tuesday to Wednesday. The cause of how he ended up in the water remains unknown.
Haarlem's only motorhome site to close as municipality buys land along Randweg
The municipality of Haarlem has purchased the land occupied by Urban Camperspot Haarlem & Zandvoort, which will result in the closure of the city's only motorhome site at the end of the year. This acq...
Butcher's daughter transforms century-old butcher shop into modern deli: ‘Memories in every crack and behind every tile’
Guusje Broekhof is renovating her family's century-old butcher shop in Haarlem's Kruisstraat to transform it into a modern deli. The project aims to modernize the business to meet current retail deman...
Historic Haarlem tram line still very much alive despite downfall of ChristenUnie
A proposal for a historical tram line at Haarlem's Veerplas remains under consideration despite initiator Frank Visser losing his seat in recent elections. Negotiators from PRO, D66, and CDA are curre...
Rob Acda Award winner Eskalatie opens Bevrijdingspop; ‘No one is truly free until everyone is free’
The twelve-member musical group Eskalatie won the Rob Acda Award, Haarlem's most significant pop prize, in mid-March. As winners, the band will open the Bevrijdingspop festival on May 5, followed by t...
Haarlem and William II's coup: Though our little prince is small, he shall be stadtholder nonetheless. Hooray!
Following the death of his father in 1647, Willem II became the stadhouder of Holland and several other Dutch provinces, exercising command over the army and navy. The article examines historical even...
Maximum community service and driving ban for causing fatal accident in Cruquius that killed Emanuela (26)
The court in Haarlem has sentenced a 39-year-old man to 240 hours of community service and a driving ban for causing a fatal accident in Cruquius in July 2023. The man was speeding and lost control of...
Ask the negotiators your question
Following recent elections, the political parties Pro Haarlem, D66, and CDA are negotiating a new coalition agreement for the city of Haarlem. Residents are invited to submit questions about the negot...
Investigation into trees in Haarlemmerhout and Frederikspark
The City of Haarlem is conducting a study into the health and future of approximately 1,000 trees within the Haarlemmerhout and Frederikspark. Independent specialists will assess tree conditions and s...
Celebrating and commemorating on May 4 and 5
Haarlem will mark Remembrance Day on May 4 with ceremonies at several local monuments, including a central service at St. Bavokerk and a silent march to the Dreef. On May 5, the city celebrates Libera...
Front door damaged by explosion at Haarlem home
An explosion occurred at a residence on Jan Ligthartstraat in Haarlem on Monday evening. The blast caused damage to the front door, but no injuries were reported.
Documentary on looted art: ‘To us they seem like ordinary items at first glance, but for many families they are priceless’
Over 80 years after World War II, approximately 4,000 artworks looted by Nazis remain unreturned to their owners or heirs in the Netherlands. The new documentary 'Verweesd Eigendom,' created by Haarle...
Waarderbrug in Haarlem closed due to defect
The Waarderbrug in Haarlem has been closed to all traffic since Sunday due to a technical defect that keeps the bridge in an open position. The municipality advises pedestrians, cyclists, and motorist...
Photos! How Haarlem celebrates King's Day 2026
Haarlem celebrated King's Day 2026 with festive street markets, music, and social gatherings throughout the city. Residents and visitors marked the national holiday by participating in traditional act...
Woman (44) hits husband with deodorant can. Assault in bedroom after argument over excessive drinking
A 44-year-old woman assaulted her husband with a deodorant can in their bedroom following a dispute over his excessive alcohol consumption. This incident was featured as part of a weekly series that e...
Family enjoys quality time as youngest daughter learns value of money by selling homemade jewelry for an e-bike
On King's Day, the Cobelens family set up a market stall on the Zaanenlaan in Haarlem to sell various items and homemade jewelry. The family participated to enjoy the festive atmosphere while helping ...
From flea markets to running: how the region celebrated King's Day
King's Day was celebrated across the region with various activities, ranging from flea markets in Aalsmeer and Badhoevedorp to a running event in Loosdrecht. The atmosphere was described as festive an...
Vanished: Haarlem’s EHS lasted nearly ninety years
The Haarlem football club Eendracht Houdt Stand (EHS) is featured in a series about defunct sports organizations. The club existed for nearly ninety years before merging with another entity in 2004.
Pirate boat, the 1988 Dutch national team and a cowboy on a hobby horse: ‘It’s often a party in Spaarndam anyway’
Spaarndam celebrated its 100th costumed parade on King's Day, featuring a variety of creative entries including a pirate boat and a tribute to the 1988 Dutch national football team. The festive proces...
Magnifying glass at the ready, Haarlem appraiser Cees scours the flea market for gems: ‘Experience gives you an antenna for quality’
During the King's Day flea market in Haarlem, appraiser Cees Broekhof searches for valuable items among second-hand goods. He shares professional insights on how to identify quality and discover hidde...
High fuel prices due to Middle East war hit fairground operators, but visitors barely notice
Fairground operators in Haarlem and IJmuiden are facing higher operational costs as diesel prices rise due to the conflict in the Middle East. Despite these increased expenses for running attractions,...
Haarlem girl (16) convicted of violence in Velsen, victims afraid to go outside
A 16-year-old girl from Haarlem has been convicted of public violence and assault for an incident in Velsen. The court's decision follows reports that the victims have been left afraid to go outside d...
Koninklijke HFC signs former AZ player; defender returns to second division after knee injury
Koninklijke HFC has signed 25-year-old defender Fons Gemmel from Swift for the upcoming season. The former AZ player returns to the Second Division after recovering from a serious knee injury.
Hate getting up early? These are the King's Day hotspots in Haarlem for the rest of the day
Haarlem offers numerous activities throughout King's Day for those who prefer to start their celebrations later in the day. The city features dozens of hotspots and events spread across various locati...
Police investigate nighttime sexual offense in Haarlem city center
Police are investigating a sexual incident that occurred in the Kromme Elleboogsteeg in the center of Haarlem during the night of Saturday to Sunday. Authorities are calling for witnesses who may have...
'There was cursing and lashing out and he was suspended for fifteen matches. A pity he fell off our radar,' says Mart Smeets
Mart Smeets reflects on a basketball game from over fifty years ago between the Haarlem Cardinals and Levi’s/Flamingo’s that escalated into a physical altercation. The incident at the Kennemer Spo...
Care center calls police: Marieke only allowed to visit mother twice a week
Staff at a care center in Nieuw-Vennep called the police after a woman refused to leave her mother’s side following newly restricted visiting hours. The care provider, Cordaan, limited her access to...