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.
56 municipal reports last week regarding construction and more in Haarlem
The municipality of Haarlem processed 56 permit applications last week, primarily focusing on building modifications like dormer windows, roof expansions, and facade repairs. Additionally, several tre...
Major power outage in Haarlem underway
A large power outage in Haarlem has left several thousand households without electricity since 10:30 a.m. Utility company Liander is working on the issue, with full restoration expected by 12:30 p.m.
Haarlem residents create tapestry about slavery history in Vleeshal
Residents in Haarlem are working together at the Vleeshal to create a large tapestry that commemorates the colonial and slavery history of North Holland. This project is part of a broader national ini...

Explosion at house in Haarlem damages front door and facade
An early morning explosion at a house on Diakenhuisweg in Haarlem damaged the front door and facade of the building. No injuries were reported, and police are currently investigating the cause of the ...
Are there secret tunnels under Haarlem? We are looking for your stories!
Local news outlets in Haarlem are crowdsourcing stories and memories from residents regarding urban legends about secret underground tunnels beneath the city center. The investigation specifically fol...

Kon. HFC falls short of cup upset against Go Ahead: "Trying to entertain the crowd"
Koninklijke HFC has been eliminated from the KNVB Cup after a 0-5 loss to Go Ahead Eagles. The Haarlem-based amateur club struggled to create chances and eventually succumbed to the superior level of ...

Ferry at closed Haarlem bridge for pedestrians only: no space for cyclists
The Waarderbrug in Haarlem-Noord has closed for major maintenance until next April, with a temporary ferry provided exclusively for pedestrians. Cyclists are excluded from the ferry service and must t...

Why so many international fishermen are casting their lines in the Spaarne this week
Haarlem is hosting the World Streetfishing Championship this Friday and Saturday, with fifteen international teams competing in the city's urban waterways. Participants will use technical skill and ar...

In Bloemendaal you are 'just a millionaire', the term is subject to inflation
Bloemendaal remains the Dutch village with the highest concentration of millionaires, though residents feel the title has lost its prestige due to economic inflation. With property values soaring, loc...

Rent out a room and help a Haarlemmer
The organization Onder de Pannen is inviting Haarlem residents to rent out spare rooms to locals at risk of homelessness. Landlords can receive a 1,000 euro bonus for nine-month commitments, with onli...
A Haarlem institution for 170 years: take a look behind the doors of this society
Sociëteit Vereeniging in Haarlem is hosting a public open day on October 31 to showcase its historical building and various member activities. Visitors can enjoy guided tours, attend lectures, and pa...

Former Dutch champion Patricia goes for Rummikub title again: "I don't really have a tactic"
Around 400 participants are set to compete in the Dutch Rummikub championship in Haarlem on September 15, including defending champion Patricia ter Maat. Ter Maat, a member of the local Club Bandoeng,...
Growing concerns in Haarlem over emotional abuse: 280 calls in six months
Haarlem has seen a significant increase in reports of emotional abuse and partner intimidation, totaling approximately 280 cases in the first half of the year. While authorities attribute the rise to ...
Rolling up the sleeves: Boerderij van Dorst is back on air and this Haarlem local is taking part
Raven van Dorst is back with a new season of the television show Boerderij van Dorst, where guests help renovate a farm in Apeldoorn. Among the celebrity participants joining for the manual labor and ...

Mother denies recruiting son for explosion: "I would never do that"
Jennifer A. from Emmen is appearing in court to deny allegations that she recruited her son to carry out a bombing at a house in Haarlem. Her legal defense is seeking her release from custody, while t...

Man gropes woman and harasses several others on bus from Haarlem to IJmuiden
A man is wanted by police after harassing several women and touching one victim on a bus traveling between Haarlem and IJmuiden last Monday. The suspect left the bus at the Gedempte Oude Gracht stop, ...
Have you seen Hercules? This pet is missing in Haarlem
A nine-year-old pigeon named Hercules is missing after last being seen on October 22 in the Floresstraat area of Haarlem. The bird is in poor health, and authorities are asking the public to report an...

Check the wood-burning guide before using your stove
Residents are encouraged to use the Stookwijzer tool to check local air quality and wind conditions before using wood stoves to prevent neighborhood disturbance. The municipality also accepts smoke-re...

Do you want to provide garden advice to Haarlem residents?
Haarlem is seeking volunteers to become Garden Rangers who will help residents make their private gardens greener and more weather-resistant. Interested individuals can learn more about the role and t...

No trains between Haarlem and Zandvoort aan Zee due to tree on the tracks
A fallen tree on the tracks has forced the suspension of train services between Haarlem and Zandvoort aan Zee until early tomorrow morning. Stormy weather has caused similar incidents across the regio...
Around 1,500 pedigree cats take part in beauty pageant in Vijfhuizen: 'This is just very emotional'
The Fife World Show 2026, a major international competition for purebred cats, was held recently near Haarlem. Approximately 1,500 cats and 2,500 spectators gathered for the event, which many particip...

Protesting with bells and whistles against cycling ban at Oosterplas: "Unholy plan"
Starting in April 2027, the nature management organization PWN will prohibit bicycles near the Oosterplas in Bloemendaal during the summer season to ensure emergency access for firefighters. The local...

'Draft-stoppers' notice not only drafts, but also poverty behind front doors
The Tochtjutters in Zandvoort are a group of volunteer energy coaches helping low-income residents reduce energy costs through home improvements and insulation. Beyond practical fixes like installing ...

Weekend roadworks on the A9 cause traffic jams near Amsterdam
Recent maintenance on the A9 motorway near Amsterdam caused widespread traffic delays throughout the weekend, affecting routes including the A1, A2, and A10. While the primary maintenance concluded on...
Find authentic Haarlem fashion at this webshop
Two Haarlem residents, Isabella and Zoë, have launched a clothing brand called HIZ that features locally designed apparel. The entrepreneurs produce their uniseks collection on demand and are expandi...
Ruud sold this guitar ‘like an idiot’, 38 years later he has it back: ‘A miracle’
Musician Ruud Houweling has been reunited with his first electric guitar after 38 years. Houweling had traded the instrument as a teenager, but he was recently able to recover it and described the eve...
Young, armed, and ruthless: Scandinavian teenagers hired to carry out hits in Amsterdam and elsewhere
Scandinavian teenagers are being recruited by the Foxtrot criminal network to carry out contract killings in the Netherlands. Authorities have successfully intercepted planned attacks in Amsterdam and...

Why is the Haarlem district of Schalkwijk stalling?
The Haarlem district of Schalkwijk is facing severe traffic congestion caused by several ongoing construction projects, including new housing and a public transport hub. Local authorities are monitori...
Sky-high hotel prices, GVB working overtime and over 650,000 visitors: Amsterdam turned upside down for 30th edition of ADE
Amsterdam is currently hosting the 30th edition of the Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE), which is expected to draw over 650,000 visitors to more than 1,300 performances throughout the city. The influx of i...
Laughs! See this Haarlem comedian in the new show Wat speelt er
Haarlem native Anniek Pheifer will appear in the new unscripted comedy show Wat speelt er, hosted by Patrick Lodiers. The program, which debuts on NPO1 on October 29, features performers improvising s...