Lifestyle News in English

1,500 rubber ducks race for charity in Heemskerk, tickets on sale at local Rotary Club

The Rotary Club Heemskerk-Uitgeest is hosting a charity rubber duck race on May 31, where 1,500 ducks will be propelled through Heemskerk's municipal pond by the local fire department. Participants ca...

Energy displays often lead to lower consumption, but not for everyone

Research from Tilburg University indicates that energy displays providing real-time data help households reduce their gas and electricity consumption on average. However, some residents prioritize per...

Traditional treats for birth of three baby storks in Elswout: 'Some ask if I’ve become a grandfather'

Three stork chicks have recently hatched in a nest at the Elswout estate near Haarlem. Local resident George is celebrating the birds' arrival by offering traditional Dutch snacks to passersby while o...

Shops evacuated due to strange smell in Hoofddorp supermarket

Several shops in Hoofddorp were evacuated on Wednesday afternoon as a precaution after a strange smell was detected at a Dirk van den Broek supermarket. The evacuation took place at Burgemeester van S...

Help shape the future of hospitality in the Red Light District

The city of Amsterdam is developing a future plan for the catering industry in the Wallen district to ensure the area remains attractive for local residents. The initiative encourages public participa...

Shops and restaurants in Heemstede center open doors during Spring Fair

The annual Spring Fair in the center of Heemstede will take place this Sunday, featuring stalls, music, and activities for children. Many shops and restaurants along the Raadhuisstraat and Binnenweg w...

Amalie Atkins created a film monument to her aunt Agatha (90) with ‘Agatha’s Almanac’: ‘She does everything her own rebellious way’

Director Paloma Aguilera Valdebenito on the exuberant ‘Treat Her Like a Lady,’ featuring Nienke Plas’s first lead role: ‘I wanted the energy of a true Amsterdammer’

In drama ‘Solomamma’, a single mother discovers the identity of her child's anonymous sperm donor

High demand for big screens for June 20 World Cup match

Rental companies are reporting a surge in demand for large screens to broadcast the Dutch national football team's World Cup matches. Interest is especially high for the game against Sweden, which is ...

Keizersgracht has the most million-euro homes: 440 in one street

Amsterdam leads the Netherlands in high-value housing with 18,560 homes worth over one million euros, specifically concentrated in the Canal Belt and Oud-Zuid areas. The Keizersgracht is the street wi...

District chairs recommend keeping three executive board members per district

District chairs in Amsterdam have written to the city council advising against reducing the number of daily board members per district from three to two. They argue that three members are necessary fo...

Frits Spits had to get used to retirement: 'It was a hard transition'

78-year-old radio veteran Frits Spits shared in a recent interview on NPO Radio 1 that he found the transition to retirement difficult after stopping his radio work in late December. Speaking on the p...

Sidney Schutte swaps Herengracht for Amsterdam-Zuid: star chef opens new restaurant in old gym

Nick de Graaf (HBC) isn't a natural striker, but he's the region's top scorer: 'Euphoric feeling like nothing else. Amazing!'

Nick de Graaf of HBC finished the 2025-2026 football season as the regional top scorer with 19 goals. He secured the title after his closest rivals, Nigel Compter and Kaya Lima, failed to overtake him...

Elly has spent seventy happy summers at the Little Beach in IJmuiden aan Zee: ‘This is my everything. And I hope it lasts a long time’

73-year-old Elly van der Peet is celebrating her 70th summer season at the Kleine Strand in IJmuiden aan Zee. She spends every season at her beach house regardless of the weather, expressing a deep li...

No alien visit: this unusual aerial phenomenon is (likely) visible over Haarlem

Residents of Haarlem may observe mysterious silver-blue streaks in the night sky over the next few weeks. These visual phenomena are not extraterrestrial in origin but are a natural atmospheric occurr...

Every time I passed by Diny I gave her a pack of cigarettes – but one day it was dark in her living room

Dutch people pay less often with cash at the checkout

Cash payments in the Netherlands have dropped significantly, now accounting for only 17% of point-of-sale transactions. Even among individuals aged 75 and older, there is a clear trend toward using de...

Rosie O'Donnell open about expensive facelift: 'Cost more than my car'

American television host Rosie O'Donnell revealed she underwent a facelift in January that cost more than her car. The presenter decided to have the cosmetic procedure after losing 23 kilograms.

Drake sets record for most songs on US charts

Canadian rapper Drake has set a new record for the most simultaneous entries on the Billboard Hot 100 in a single week. Following the release of three new albums, he surpassed the previous record held...

Wednesday cooler after Tuesday's record heat, then temperatures rise again

Have your passport or ID card delivered to your home for free before the summer holidays

Residents can have their new passports or ID cards delivered to their home or workplace for free throughout June and early July. This service aims to provide convenience and eliminate the need for in-...

More passengers via Eindhoven Airport despite Middle East unrest and rising fuel costs

Eindhoven Airport recorded its busiest first quarter ever, seeing a significant increase in passenger numbers despite higher kerosene prices and Middle East unrest. While Schiphol faces setbacks, the ...

Singer Maluma struggled with panic attacks: 'Changed my life'

Colombian singer Maluma revealed during an appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show that he suffered from panic attacks in late 2024. He described the experience as life-changing during the interview.

Boating on the canals: 7 canal cruises in Haarlem

Haarlem offers several canal cruise options for those looking to explore the city's historic center from the water. Visitors can enjoy guided tours that provide insights into Haarlem's history while r...

‘You have London, you have Paris and you have Lelystad,’ they say outside the station – but then the spectacle begins

Commercial waste in East ends up in household bins far too often

Authorities in the Amsterdam-Oost district are implementing stricter enforcement against business owners who dispose of commercial waste in household containers, leading to littered shopping streets. ...

Pickleball takes over Haarlem, popular with disabled athletes: ‘It’s accessible’

Pickleball is gaining popularity in Haarlem and across the Netherlands as an accessible alternative to tennis and padel. Bernadette Snijders Blok, chairperson of Pickleball Holland, notes that the spo...

Joy or heartbreak: which regional clubs still face a play-off battle?

Several football clubs are entering promotion and relegation play-offs as the regular season comes to an end. While many players have already begun their summer break, these regional teams must contin...