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Join the marketingSpark meetups & events

We organize interesting, cool and accessible events and meetups on branding, digital analytics, artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, business development and much more in the marketing & business world. As the organizer is expatsHaarlem,…
Halloween
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THINGS TO DO IN HAARLEM THIS OCTOBER

October has arrived and with it comes a host of Autumnal events and activities. Sustainability is the theme of this month, you can learn more about it during Dutch Sustainable Fashion Week and Mugfest 2019. You can also soak up the arts at Popronde…
I am not a tourist
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‘i am not a tourist’ annual Expat Fair for Internationals

Everything you want to know about the Dutch expat life, under one roof: on Sunday 6 October 2019, the 17th edition of Amsterdam’s renowned i am not a tourist Expat Fair is shaking up the stunning Beurs van Berlage in the heart of Amsterdam. Explore…
Klim naar het licht
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Climbing to the light

The new Saint Bavo church in Haarlem has always been a bit of a mystery to me.  Don’t get me wrong, I find it a beautiful piece of architecture to be admired from afar while biking along the Leidsevaart or walking on the edge of the Vijfhoek.  …
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THINGS TO DO IN HAARLEM THIS SEPTEMBER

Summer may be coming to an end but there are plenty of reasons to be happy that September has arrived in Haarlem! As always we have the Dutch Language Café, our monthly drink and to celebrate the start of the cultural season, we have 3 comedy…
Poldergoud FestivalPoldergoud Festival ©
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PolderGoud Festival

PolderGoud Festival 2019   PolderGoud Festival is a blazing music festival in an industrial setting! Surprising elements are presented to you and ensure a constant shift of your attention. For anyone looking for a great festival…
Haarlem Jazz & More
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Haarlem Jazz & More 2019

Haarlem Jazz & More 2019, from Wednesday 14th of August until Sunday the 18th, promises five days of magical musical festivities! Jazz fans it's almost that time of the year again! Get ready to kick back and enjoy the smooth sounds of Haarlem…
LGBTQI+ Pride Flaghttps://pixabay.com/nl/illustrations/vlag-lgbt-gay-lgbtq-lesbisch-1184117/
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LGBTQI+ books to read during Amsterdam Pride

Pride Amsterdam 2019 is just around the corner and many people are looking forward to celebrating diversity and equality during the canal parade. Parties and activities will take place all over the city between July 27th and August 04th. Pride…
September Events Haarlem
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THINGS TO DO IN HAARLEM THIS JULY

Summer has finally arrived to Haarlem! July in Haarlem is full of events for the whole family to enjoy, from the International Choral Biennale to a British Festival and a concert on the river and in the park,  from our Monthly Drink and Dutch…
Spaarnestad Concert
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Spaarnestad Concert

For the fourth time a wonderful open-air concert on the water that you should not miss! The Nieuwe Gracht forms the impressive backdrop for beautiful sounds and offers space for thousands of listeners. When Saturday the 6th of July…
Climbing light
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Climbing to the light

The extensive restoration of the cathedral is almost complete and it is more beautiful than ever! To celebrate this until July 31st you can climb to almost 60 meters height and enjoy great views on a spectacular bridge from tower to tower. Making…
British Festival in Zandvoort.
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British Festival Zandvoort aan Zee

Great Britain in the Netherlands for a weekend, that's the British Festival in Zandvoort. Take the well-known double-decker bus to the various locations, eat Fish 'n Chips with a sea view, marvel at the beautiful British cars, be amazed…
Koorbiënnale
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10th International Choral Biennale Haarlem and Amsterdam

Adventurous vocal festival at the highest level. From 28 June through 7 July 2019 During its 10-day run the Choral Biennale presents some of the best international vocal ensembles of today, at the same time exploring the boundaries of choral…
Houtfestival
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Houtfestival: open-air music and dance festival

One of Haarlem’s biggest outdoor fests offers an exotic blend of music. It takes place at the Stadspark de Haarlemmerhout in Haarlem. Houtfestival is a relaxed event where people of all ages and backgrounds come. You can listen to the…
Landgoed Duin & Kruidberg
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Pentecost 2019 in Holland

Something that intrigued me ever since I first arrived in Holland is the number of Dutch public holidays specifically related to events on the Roman Catholic calendar.  It struck me and still does that a fairly non-religious country like the…
Luilak
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Luilak 2019: all-night market for plant lovers

The famous Luilakmarkt (Luilak market) from June 7th, 2019 until June 8th, 2019 is a pot and plant market which starts at 16:00 in the afternoon and goes on throughout the night until around 11:00 in the morning, Luilakochtend (Luilak morning). Besides…
strike
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DUTCH RAILWAY: FEW OR NO TRAINS ON TUESDAY

Dutch railway company NS warns travellers about next Tuesday’s public transport strike and serious bother for passengers.   Dutch railway company NS is recommending travellers avoid the train on Tuesday. They expect little…
european-elections
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European elections: 23-26 May 2019

The European elections take place between 23 to 26 May 2019. Voting day in the Netherlands is on 23 May. Will you vote as well? Here's how to vote. Anyone aged 18 or over can vote. It is also possible to vote by proxy, in another municipality…
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Haarlem & Haarlemmermeer Housing & Education Event 2019

All you need to know about finding a home and education in Haarlem & Haarlemmermeer Planning to rent, let, buy or sell a house? Wanting to know more about the Education system in the Netherlands and in the Haarlem & Haarlemmermeer…
Liberation Day
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5th May: Liberation Day and festival

Following directly on from Remembrance Day, 5 May is a national day of celebration known as Liberation Day throughout Haarlem and the Netherlands. You will find a wide variety of entertainment and events taking place to commemorate the liberation…
Mud Masters Obstacle Run
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Mud Masters Obstacle Run 2018

Doing Mud Masters is one for the bucket list. A day full of mud, obstacles and fun with your friends – one that years later you’ll look back on with a smile and brag about at get-togethers with friends and family. This year the Mud Masters…
Keukenhof spring garden
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Keukenhof Spring Garden open 22 March-13 May 2018

Keukenhof, the world’s most beautiful spring garden, opens its doors from 22 March to 13 May 2018. Keukenhof Spring Garden Keukenhof (“Kitchen garden”, also known as the Garden of Europe), is one of the world’s largest flower…
Experience Haarlemmermeer
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Experience Haarlemmermeer Fair 2018

Get information, meet services and businesses, attend free workshops and presentations, enjoy a stand up comedy, live music, networking, meeting people and having fun! Free professional childcare and kids entertainment is available during…
New Year's Drink 2018
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New Year's Comedy Night & Drink 2018

Join the Haarlem New Year's Comedy Night 2018 and/or the expatsHaarlem New Year's Drink 2018 on Friday evening, 26 January, in the gorgeous ancient building of the Societeit Vereeniging Haarlem. New Year's Comedy Night Attend the funniest…
New Year's plunge
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New Year's plunge

Those crazy Dutch! Once you survived Sinterklaas, Christmas and dodged the fireworks during new years eve you think you can finally relax. Well, guess again. How the tradition started I don't know but on the first of January masses of children,…
Amsterdam Light Festival
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Amsterdam Light Festival 2017 - 2018 

Amsterdam's winter festival returns each year to illuminate the city's streets and waterways with fantastic light installations by international artists. Find out more about where, when and how to see this year's works!  Amsterdam Light Festival…
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My First Sinterklaas

This past weekend on the evening of December 5th, I celebrated my first Sinterklaas. I first learned of the old Dutch custom earlier this year when moving to Haarlem with my Dutch boyfriend. As a Canadian new to the tradition, I would like…
Christmas Market
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Haarlem’s Christmas Market Photo Walk

The Christmas Market in Haarlem is one of the biggest and nicest Christmas markets in the whole Netherlands and Benelux.  Every year the city turns in a real spectacle. This year the Christmas Market will take place on Saturday 9 and Sunday…
Sinterklaas
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Sinterklaas versus Santa Claus

They both work in the same sector, wear red, and have a big white beard. For Piet's sake: what's the difference?  The Big Day Sinterklaas: Sinterklaas' "heerlijk avondje" / delicious is 5 December, although Sint arrives with a steamer…
Festival
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How to celebrate the festive period in Haarlem

December is here! To some its the most wonderful time of the year. This is what the city of Haarlem is up to during this festive period. Haarlems Winterbier Festival Come and enjoy the Haarlems Winter Beer Festival on the 9th & 10th…