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.
Bike gone! This many bikes were stolen in Haarlem last year
This article discusses the prevalence of bicycle theft in Haarlem, noting the common experience of owners finding their bikes missing and locks cut. It examines the statistics regarding how many bicyc...
Haarlem politicians and experts debate youth care waiting list of 400 children: ‘Does supply create demand?’
Politicians and experts in Haarlem gathered at the De Pletterij debate center to address the city's youth care waiting list of 400 children. The discussion explored causes for the increased demand, su...
Mystery over identity of Verspronck’s ‘Girl’ is part of the appeal. Painting now on display at Frans Hals Museum
The Frans Hals Museum in Haarlem is hosting an exhibition featuring Johannes Cornelisz Verspronck's famous painting 'Girl in a Blue Dress,' focusing on the enduring mystery of the subject's identity. ...
Bargain hunters search for gems at Sportcentrum Groenendaal flea market
Organisatieburo Mikki is hosting a flea market this Sunday at Sportcentrum Groenendaal on Heemsteedse Sportparklaan. The event invites bargain hunters and collectors to browse for unique items and enj...
From the Red Light District to Henk Sneevlietweg: The city in miniature at new Miniature Museum
Amsterdam has opened a new Miniature Museum in the former Diamond Museum building near Museumplein, featuring detailed and interactive replicas of iconic city landmarks. The museum focuses on historic...
Clarity at last for hundreds of Haarlem new homes facing nitrogen delays
The Haarlem municipality has released a list of housing projects, including hundreds of new homes, that are expected to face delays due to nitrogen regulations. Key affected sites include developments...
Weekend tips: things to do in Haarlem (March 13-15)
Haarlem features a busy schedule of activities and events for the weekend of March 13-15. Despite the unpredictable March weather, the city offers various outings to help residents and visitors fill t...
DI-RECT, Bankzitters, Sophie Straat and S10 at Bevrijdingspop. First names announced
The first artists for the upcoming Bevrijdingspop festival have been announced, including DI-RECT, Bankzitters, Sophie Straat, and S10. The event, which features a diverse mix of Dutch musical talent,...
Controversial solar farm near Schiphol to get 230,000 new panels
230,000 new glare-resistant solar panels are being installed at a solar park near Schiphol Airport to replace previous ones that blinded landing pilots. The 14-million-euro replacement project is fund...
'The friendship turned out to be more than just a holiday romance; it was even better back in the Netherlands,' says Kars (26) about Damin (25)
Damin Hajjaji and Kars Zijlstra from Haarlem share the story of their friendship, which began during a holiday and continued to grow after they returned home. The two young men reflect on how their bo...
Ukrainian couple Olga and Ruslan open Black Roll Odessa kiosk at Velserpont: 'The best shawarma is in Odessa, we’re bringing it here'
Ukrainian refugees Olga and Ruslan have opened a new food kiosk called Black Roll Odessa near the Velserpont in the Netherlands. After fleeing the war and previously operating a food truck in Hoorn, t...
Woman scarred by relationship with violent Beverwijk man: ‘She has become a shadow of her former self’
On September 6, 2024, a woman from Heemskerk was violently attacked by her 39-year-old partner from Beverwijk. The victim stated she feared for her life during the confrontation, which has had a lasti...
All's well that ends well: Frank and Wendy finally on their way to son in New Zealand
Frank and Wendy Hoorn from Haarlem have finally departed Qatar after being stranded for nearly two weeks due to regional airspace closures. The couple is currently traveling via China to visit their s...
Sander Leppink of Coornhert is Teacher of the Year 2026: 'This is the only class where I can always pay attention'
Sander Leppink, a history teacher at the Coornhert Lyceum, has been named Haarlem's Teacher of the Year for 2026. He was surprised with the award and a celebration in his classroom by local officials ...
New neighbor in North: Dirk opens second supermarket and hands out coffee and cookies
Supermarket chain Dirk van den Broek has opened its second location in Amsterdam-Noord, following an extensive advertising campaign across the district. To celebrate the opening, the new store offered...
Shop in Tempeliersstraat may be converted into apartment
An administrative court in Haarlem has ruled that a vacant retail space on Tempeliersstraat can be converted into an apartment. The decision favors the property owner over the municipality, as the bui...
Rat nuisance becomes last-minute Haarlem election issue with petitions, posters and protest marches
Residents and local politicians in Haarlem's Kleverpark neighborhood are pushing for urgent action against rat infestations, turning the issue into a major local election theme. The community has orga...
House forces question session over Haarlem rail maintenance
The Dutch House of Representatives has scheduled a session to question State Secretary Annet Bertram regarding railway maintenance in Haarlem. Lawmakers are pushing to combine two separate maintenance...
Haarlem woman sues to get her dog back: 'She is a family member, not movable property you just dispose of'
A woman from Haarlem has filed a summary proceeding to regain custody of her dog, which was seized by authorities after a biting incident in November. The Public Prosecution Service intends to rehome ...
Wendy Moore much rawer on new single ‘Crocodile Tears’
Singer-songwriter Wendy Moore from Zandvoort is releasing a new single this week titled 'Crocodile Tears.' The track features a heavier and rawer sound compared to her previous releases.
What you need to know about the municipal elections
Municipal elections in Haarlem will take place on March 18, 2026, with 89 polling stations open from 7:30 to 21:00 for residents to vote on local policy. The article provides essential information on ...
New ideas for Haarlem
The city of Haarlem will host the Initiatievencafé on March 24, 2026, where residents can present ideas to make the city more sustainable and social. Participants have the chance to win a share of a ...
14 playground buildings made sustainable
The City of Haarlem, in partnership with SRO, has completed sustainability upgrades on 14 playground buildings, installing solar panels, LED lighting, and improved insulation. These measures are expec...
Outgoing Haarlem council passes string of decisions after elections, members shocked: ‘Lack of democratic compass’
The outgoing Haarlem municipal council is facing criticism for planning to make several significant decisions on March 26, six days after the local elections. Members from multiple political parties h...
'Petrified' Haarlem named most future-proof municipality
Haarlem has been named the most future-proof municipality in the Netherlands by the 'Toekomstmeter' study, receiving a score of 9.8 out of 10 for its integrated climate policies. The city was recogniz...
Recovering Griekspoor skips Miami Open
Tallon Griekspoor will skip the upcoming Miami Open as he continues to recover from an injury. His coach, Marc Dijkhuizen, stated that the tournament comes too early, but expects the player to return ...
Restoration of classic 'The Girl with the Red Hair' completed and showing at Filmkoepel Haarlem
The 4K digital restoration of the classic war film 'Het meisje met het rode haar' will be released in Dutch cinemas starting April 23. A special screening featuring the cast and crew is scheduled for ...
Round of 16 proves end of the road for brave Velsen
Velsen was eliminated from the amateur football cup in the round of 16 following a 3-5 loss to fourth-division team FC Aalsmeer. Despite a courageous performance where they remained competitive for mo...
Entry ban for Grote Hout and Koningsweg in Velsen-Noord starts in December to curb cut-through traffic with cameras
Starting in December, a driving ban will be implemented on the Grote Hout and Koningsweg in Velsen-Noord to reduce cut-through traffic. Enforcement of the new regulation will be carried out using lice...
Study: More low-income households than affordable homes for the group
A recent study in the Amsterdam Metropolitan Region reveals a significant mismatch between household incomes and housing costs, with low-income households far outnumbering available affordable homes. ...