Dutch safari girafferoyalty free (author's own pic)
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Go on safari 1.5 hours’ drive away from Haarlem

If you opted for a 'staycation' and are looking for ideas of what to do, why not head to Tilburg for an educational outdoor adventure? Go on safari right here in the Netherlands, exploring nature, getting some fresh air and coming face-to-face…
Half of the Dutch also want to continue working from home after CoronaUnsplash
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Research shows that half of Dutch workers want to continue working from home

Working from home in the times of coronavirus will remain in place until September. Respondents to a new survey indicate they are happy working at the kitchen table or in their attic room for the time being. More than half indicate that they…
Haarlemmers protest for 500 refugee childrenNH Nieuws / Geja Sikma
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Haarlemmers take action for 500 refugee children from the Greek camps #WeesWelkom #500kinderen

A human chain was formed in the Grote Markt on the evening of Thursday 21 May in protest against the cabinet's decision not to take in 500 refugee children from the Greek camps. It is an initiative of two Haarlem friends who no longer want to…
Keukenhof CastleKeukenhof Gardens
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Keukenhof Castle ready for summer

Now that government measures have been eased somewhat, the Keukenhof Castle estate is accessible again. With the beautiful spring weather and nature in full bloom, everyone can take a lovely walk in the gardens and the forest around Keukenhof…
schools are openroyalty free (reuse possible without attribution)
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The Highs and Lows of Back to School

The gates are open again for many schools across the country and the school yards are slowly filling with laughter again. Homeschooling every day has come to an end and lots of our young children are returning to school. Sending your kids back…
which way
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Expat life: which way next?

Recent events have probably been causing us to ponder a true expat dilemma more than ever: where to next? (Not that we are taking journeys anywhere just yet.) As expats, most of us will be faced at some point with the issue of moving to another…
connecting with familyroyalty free (reuse possible without attribution)
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10 intriguing ways to stay connected with loved ones abroad

As expats, we are accustomed to finding ways to stay in touch with our friends and family abroad. Here, we share 10 creative and unique ways to stay connected with your loved ones – virtually (online) as well as emotionally (offline). Whoever…
Remembrance
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Remembrance Day without an audience in Haarlem live on NH Nieuws

Remembrance Day on 4 May in Haarlem will be this year be held in an adapted form due to the corona crisis, without any members of the public in attendance. The special commemoration ceremony can be seen live at 16:30 on TV news channel NH Nieuws. Mayor…
kids gamesroyalty free (reuse without attribution)
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Creative activities for homebound toddlers

While there is no daycare during these weeks, we are spending a lot of time at home with our children. Keeping them entertained can be challenging at the best of times, especially when you have small kids. In case your inspiration is running…
kids book museumroyalty free (author's own photo, no credit required)
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A Day Trip to the Children’s Book Museum

The Children’s Book Museum, a museum dedicated to Dutch language children’s books, delights the young and old with beautiful design and creative exhibitions. What could be better that finding a weekend activity for your children that…
Daycare
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Choosing a daycare in Haarlem: 10 things to consider

It can be tough making that decision about which daycare centre to select for your little one. Here we provide some key tips and outline aspects to be taken into consideration, so you can be confident in your decision. Haarlem has a wide…
February Events
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Things to do in Haarlem this February

Winter may not yet be over, though we can see signs that the change of season is just around the corner. Spring bulbs are sprouting through the soil and daffodils are already for sale at the flower stalls, and we can definitely see the days…
GeluksrouteGeluksroute
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Geluksroute: the road to happiness

Information Geluksroute (Happiness Route) is a relaxed way of sharing happiness, which makes for inspiring meetings and wonderful discoveries. The invitation is simple: What makes you happy and would you like to share this? Come…
Gluren
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Gluren bij de Buren Haarlem

Art event by Gluren bij de Buren on Sunday, February 9, 2020. There is a brand new edition of the "living room festival " Gluren bij the de Buren Haarlem on the doorstep! On Sunday 9 February 2020, living rooms will be transformed by…
Dortmund Christmas marketsJulia Smile ©
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Dortmund Christmas Markets

A day trip to Dortmund Christmas Markets! When we think of the best Christmas markets in Europe Germany is certainly up there! Having done some quick research, we found that there were only a few of them open on December 26th, most close by…
Haarlem ChristmasInage by Jill Wellington ©
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Things to do in Haarlem this December

Happy holidays to all our expatsHaarlem readers, December has finally arrived! Sinterklaas kicked off the festivities but that is only the beginning! This month promises a variety of festive events from the much anticipated Christmas Markets…
Sinterklaas
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Sinterklaas comes to Haarlem

Sinterklaas and his Pieten will visit the city of Haarlem on Sunday, November 17th. Once again the man in red has chosen our picturesque city to moor his boat. As is now traditional, Sinterklaas and his crew will come to a halt…
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…
In De Wolken Festival
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In De Wolken Festival Harlemmermeer

Practical advice for new parents and parents to be! The In De Wolken Festival caters for all parents and parents-to-be! Over 100 shops and brands will present the best products and services for your baby. The festival will also host singer-songwriters…
Museum night kids HaarlemMuseum night kids Haarlem website
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Museum Night Kids Haarlem

After three very successful editions in The Hague, Museum Night Kids is coming to Haarlem On Saturday, October 19th eleven Haarlem museums and cultural institutions will open their doors and offer a program full of exciting treasure…
Mugfest 2019
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Mugfest 2019 Sustainability Festival

Sustainable initiatives in Haarlem On Sunday, October 6th Mugfest 2019, the sustainability festival will take place in Haarlem. Between 12 pm and 5 pm, the Grote Markt will be transformed into a green festival site. Mugfest is all about…
weekend
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Open House Weekend Toneelschuur & Filmschuur

Have you always been curious about that very special building on the edge of Haarlem’s red light district? Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 September sees the kick-off of the new cultural season, and to mark the occasion Toneelschuur will be holding…
DansClick 21 I Korzo producties - choreografie Q4 Qantified (Steven Tips) 3DansClick 21 I Korzo producties - choreografie Q4 Qantified (Steven Tips) 3 ©
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Toneelschuur Haarlem 'Language No Problem' Theater Program September-December 2019

Toneel-en Filmschuur Haarlem offers a ‘language no problem’ program that consists of a broad variety of films, theater, dance and musical theater performances for adults, youngsters, and children. Below you find the Language No Problem theater…
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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…
Parksessies
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Parksessies

Park Sessions is a multidisciplinary art festival that takes place four days in a row in the Haarlemmerhout in Haarlem every summer. This monumental park is the background for an easily accessible place, where various arts, from museums,…
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…
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…