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.
National exercise challenge gets Haarlem residents moving: "The oldest is 96!"
Haarlem residents recently gathered at the Wilsonsplein playground to celebrate a nationwide exercise day, reflecting a regular community-led initiative held twice a week. The event drew sixty partici...
Chatting with a stranger: Margriet organizes Start the Conversation meetings at the Haarlem library
Magazine Margriet is hosting 'Start the Conversation' meetings in libraries across the Netherlands to help people overcome loneliness and social anxiety. A local session is scheduled for November 13, ...
New ideas for Haarlem during the Initiative Café
Haarlem will host an Initiative Café on October 6, 2026, where residents can present community improvement projects to a jury and receive feedback from fellow citizens. The event serves as a platform...
North Holland tap water contains far too much PFAS, Zaanstad leads the Netherlands
A Greenpeace report indicates that 95 percent of North Holland's tap water exceeds the strict health guidelines set by the RIVM for PFAS concentrations. While experts confirm the water remains safe an...
Average Haarlem resident lives in the same amount of space as ten years ago
Recent data from Statistics Netherlands reveals that the average resident of Haarlem currently has approximately 47 square meters of living space, the same amount as ten years ago. This trend is drive...
Suspect denies 2002 rape of 16-year-old girl in Lisserbroek
A 64-year-old man is on trial for the 2002 rape of a 16-year-old girl in Lisserbroek, a case that remained unsolved for 24 years. The suspect was identified through DNA kinship analysis but continues ...
Abused monastery children denied compensation for forced labor on appeal
The Amsterdam Court of Appeal has rejected a compensation claim from a group of women who alleged they were subjected to forced labor at Good Shepherd convents between 1951 and 1979. The court ruled t...
Spaarne Ferry out of service October 2, 3 and 4
The Spaarne ferry service between Schalkwijk and Haarlem Southwest will be suspended for maintenance from October 2 through October 4. The ferry, which normally operates daily, will resume its regular...
Roadworks in Haarlem: keep this in mind this week (September 21 - September 28)
Haarlem will experience widespread traffic disruptions from September 21 to September 28 due to ongoing construction, maintenance projects, and local events. Key areas such as the city center and majo...
Renewed Europaweg open for a month, traffic disruption not yet over
The Europaweg in Haarlem has reopened after a redesign that prioritizes pedestrians and cyclists over cars. Traffic disruptions persist due to ongoing construction at a new transport hub, with major p...
Have you seen Billie, Charlie or Gandalf? These six pets are missing in Haarlem
Six cats, including those named Billie, Charlie, and Gandalf, have been reported missing in various locations across Haarlem during the past week. Owners and the tracking organization Amivedi are seek...
Long-cherished new clubhouse of Koninklijke HFC festively opened
Koninklijke HFC in Haarlem has officially opened its new clubhouse after nine years of planning and eighteen months of construction. Members and supporters celebrated the unveiling, praising the moder...
Phone of the Wind at Elswout estate: calling deceased loved ones
A 'Phone of the Wind' has been installed at the Elswout estate in Overveen to help people cope with grief by symbolically speaking to deceased loved ones. Initiated by local resident Trudy Satink, the...
Mayor and Schiphol boss swap jobs for a day: 'Not to emphasize friendship'
Schiphol CEO Pieter van Oord and Haarlemmermeer Mayor Marianne Schuurmans temporarily swapped jobs to gain deeper insight into their differing organizational interests. The exchange allowed both leade...
300 Zwanenburg residents rescued during train journey: "They gave the starving passengers food and clothing"
The documentary series Een Oogje op Noord-Holland is presenting historical footage to residents of Zwanenburg and Halfweg, covering topics from local landmarks to environmental issues. The screenings ...
Car flips over on Schipholweg
A driver escaped injury after their car struck a signpost and flipped onto its roof on the Schipholweg (N232) early this morning. Police are currently investigating the incident, as the motorist is su...
Peace Week Haarlem kicks off: 'Harmony is an obstacle to peace'
Haarlem is celebrating a ten-day Peace Week focused on fostering community connection and meaningful dialogue about social harmony. The event features various activities including debates and discussi...
Bankruptcy of Haarlem slaughterhouse inevitable, but politicians want a fresh start
The Slachthuis music venue in Haarlem has filed for bankruptcy due to significant financial debts, forcing an end to the current organization's operations. Despite the closure, local politicians and c...
RIVM estimate: one in four adults in this part of Haarlem feels lonely
Recent data from the CBS, RIVM, and GGD reveals that one in seven Haarlem residents experiences intense loneliness, with certain neighborhoods reaching one in four. The report highlights that younger ...
Teylers Museum in Haarlem acquires early drawing by Adriaen de Vries
The Teylers Museum in Haarlem has acquired a rare early drawing by the Dutch sculptor Adriaen de Vries. Believed to date from the early 1580s, the piece depicts a reclining female nude and is consider...
Judge: new owner of Vogelenzang family campsite may hear witnesses
The municipality of Bloemendaal lost an appeal in a dispute over the stalled development of 350 chalets at the former Vogelenzang campsite. A court ruled that the owner, MarinaParken, may call witness...
Fun: what to do in Haarlem during Neighbors Day 2026
Neighbors Day will be celebrated across the Netherlands on Saturday, September 26, 2026, to encourage community connection and stronger local relationships. Residents in Haarlem can participate in var...
From Coldplay to Nirvana: new live music series starts in Haarlem
A new acoustic music series called Centraal Unplugged is launching in Haarlem on September 27. The event, hosted at Locael Centraal, features local bands performing unplugged tributes to renowned arti...
Mystery packages are on the rise, now in Haarlem too: how innocent is this hype?
Pop-up stores selling mystery packages of returned goods are becoming increasingly popular across the Netherlands, including a new location in Haarlem. While customers are drawn by the excitement of p...
Weekend tips: things to do in Haarlem (September 18-20)
The city of Haarlem is hosting various events from September 18-20, including the Haarlems Oktoberfest, theater performances, and a vintage clothing market. Residents can also explore local history th...
Classical for kids: Zandvoort students flock to Peter and the Wolf fairy tale
Hundreds of primary school children in Zandvoort recently attended live performances of the musical fairy tale Peter and the Wolf, presented by the Amsterdam Wind Quintet. The initiative, led by the C...
C The Future brings technology and circularity together in Haarlem
C The Future will host its fourth annual event at MAAK Park in Haarlem on October 3 to explore the intersection of technology, creativity, and sustainability. The free event features workshops and dem...
Unveiling of 5 murals in Oost and Delftwijk
Five new murals featuring themes suggested by residents are being installed across the Haarlem districts of Oost and Delftwijk. Funded by the city council and supported by Elan Wonen, the artworks wil...
Living more comfortably by making monumental homes sustainable
Residents in Haarlem have successfully transformed their 1922 monumental home into a sustainable, gas-free residence using biobased insulation and a ground-source heat pump. The six-month renovation p...
64 reports of demolition and tree felling in Haarlem last week
Last week, the municipality of Haarlem processed 64 permit applications involving various construction, renovation, and environmental projects throughout the city. The submissions include plans for re...