Friday October 16, 2026
Good morning, The Hague. Today: pupils win a national CPR award, a new park-and-ride opens near the A4, and LIFF brings ten festival films to the city.
At a glance
🌦️ Weather: Hi 19°C / 66°F (about the same as yesterday) · Lo 13°C / 56°F · 43% chance of rain · wind W 37 km/h (20 knots)
🚲 Cycling: Dry until about 12:00, wet after that.
🌙 Sun & moon: Sunrise 08:09 · Sunset 18:46 · Waxing Crescent · Moonrise 14:53 · Golden hour 18:16 to 18:46
🌊 Outdoors: Air quality fair (AQI 28) · grass pollen low
💶 Markets: AEX 1,133 (-0.4%) · S&P 500 7,725 (+0.1%) · €1 = $1.12 · $1 = €0.89
The Hague pupils win national CPR award: Pleysier College Zefier was named the best of more than 100 participating schools, representing 13,000 pupils. Its prize is an outdoor AED available to neighbourhood residents too.
Haagse Hout patissier bakes South Holland's best gevulde speculaas: A professional jury and a consumer jury both placed Pâtisserie Jarreau's filled speculaas first in the province. Around 300 entries from artisan bakers across the country were judged.
One lane leaves Wateringse Veld drivers in queues: Since the new roundabout and fly-over opened, commuters from the Wateringse Veld face long waits each morning. The province says the signal is temporary, but the single lane will remain.
The Hague opposition criticises scrapped Haga hospital plans: The new coalition has dropped temporary accommodation at the former Sportlaan hospital and now wants mainly senior housing. Opponents warn redesign costs could squeeze social housing in the Vogelwijk.
Rijksmuseum Meermanno buys neighbouring building on Prinsessegracht in The Hague: The museum bought the neighbouring building at Prinsessegracht 32, adding 300 square metres to its site. The project will create a study centre with an internal depot, with completion expected in 2030.
The Hague opens new park-and-ride near A4: The parking area is on Laan van Hoornwijck, close to the A4 and A13, and is open around the clock. A combined ticket covers a return tram trip.
Chef Francesco Frasca opens Piedmontese restaurant Baronetto in The Hague: Ristorante Baronetto is on Mallemolen and draws on the chef’s native Piedmont and Langhe region. Its menu features traditional dishes, truffles and regional wines, including Barolo and Barbaresco.
Kijkduin bowling centre planned as Dunes closes: Hospitality entrepreneur René Bogaart is set to develop the venue in the premises vacated by Dunes. The city says it will offer a family activity and help draw visitors beyond the beach season.
Circus UP in the Zuiderpark tent: Acrobats, slackline artists and freestyle BMX riders take over the big top alongside an outdoor bouncy castle zone. 16 October, Zuiderpark. FAMILY SHOW
Dog healthcare basics with Dr. Spike On Tour: A working vet explains practical canine healthcare, from parasite treatment and everyday nutrition to managing first aid emergencies. 16 October, 14:00 - 16:00, Bibliotheek Segbroek. KIDS WORKSHOP
The Umbrella Bird, Kooman’s puppet show for ages five-plus: Sumba, a pink umbrella bird driven from the rainforest, finds a patchwork cat and raccoon on a sunny island; for ages five-plus. 16 October, 14:30, Kooman's Poppentheater. FAMILY SHOW
Brick or Treat brings Halloween LEGO activities and a 4D film: Children up to 12 can try LEGO activities, make glow-in-the-dark creations and watch the 4D film The Monster Chase. 16 October, 10:00, LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre Scheveningen. FESTIVAL / FAIR
Dance, rhythm and imaginative movement for toddlers: Toddlers dance, jump and move to music with an adult, exploring rhythm, imagination and coordination before playtime and colouring afterwards. 16 October, 10:00, Theater Dakota. KIDS WORKSHOP
Free art workshop for children in Transvaalkwartier: Free weekly sessions give children aged seven to twelve a new art prompt, with painting, drawing, crafts and experiments using unexpected materials. 16 October, 14:00, Bibliotheek Transvaalkwartier. KIDS WORKSHOP
Dotan brings acoustic folk textures and new music: Dotan’s songs follow four albums and international tours; his latest single, “Last Goodbyes”, blends acoustic sounds with folk influences. 16 October, 19:00, PAARD, Kleine Zaal. POP / ROCK
Acoustic rock and indie folk in an intimate micro-theater: Expect stripped-back guitar and vocals inside Amsterdam's smallest playhouse, suited to anyone who likes quiet singer-songwriter sets. 16 October, 20:00, Torpedo Theater, Sint Pieterspoortsteeg 33, Amsterdam. SINGER-SONGWRITER
U2two: UV, U2 classics beneath 360-degree projections: U2two pairs U2 songs, including hits and less familiar tracks, with new 360-degree projections; no Dutch is needed to follow the show. 16 October, 20:00, Museon - Omniversum. POP / ROCK
Pathodia in fieri: Ensemble Pathodia’s early music and new composition: Ensemble Pathodia sets Huygens, Baroque composers and a new work by guitarist Alexandre Dandelot alongside countertenor and early instruments. 16 October, 20:00, Oud-katholieke schuilkerk van de H.H. Jacobus en Augustinus. DANCE / PERFORMANCE
Noam Bargil Quintet, jazz improvisation and contemporary sounds: Trumpeter and composer Noam Bargil leads a quintet blending jazz traditions, improvisation and contemporary sounds, drawing on his Middle Eastern and European roots. 16 October, Podium NOORD. JAZZ / BLUES
Pink Floyd Project plays Wish You Were Here live: The band plays Pink Floyd’s 1975 album in full, including “Shine On You Crazy Diamond” and the title track. 16 October, 20:00, Stadstheater Zoetermeer. POP / ROCK
Whistler: Loving the Netherlands, Dutch landscapes and canal etchings: Etchings, watercolours and small paintings trace Whistler’s Dutch visits, shown alongside work by contemporaries including Willem Witsen and George Hendrik Breitner. 16 October, De Mesdag Collectie. ART / MUSEUMS
Free archaeology talks uncover Keizerstraat’s former churchyard: Free talks by municipal archaeologists present graves from the former churchyard, combining sixteenth- and seventeenth-century remains with burial records and archives. 16 October, 16:00, Oude Kerk. TALKS / IDEAS
LIFF brings ten festival films to The Hague: Ten films from the Leiden International Film Festival selection include a Sundance audience-prize winner, a new Sense and Sensibility, documentaries and international festival titles. 16 October, Filmhuis Den Haag: Studio B. FILM
Sculpture, talks and sensory performances at After Hours: Portuguese artist Rui Chafes discusses his work alongside scent-infused live music, sculpting workshops and evening DJ sets. 16 October, 18:00 - 23:00, Museum Beelden aan Zee. ART / MUSEUMS
Pieter Derks’s Ja, Leuk: politics meets daily frustrations: Pieter Derks’s cabaret links world politics with everyday frustrations, in a Dutch-language show for audiences comfortable with Dutch. 16 October, 20:00, Rijswijkse Schouwburg. COMEDY
Claudia de Breij’s New Year’s Eve cabaret, sold out: Claudia de Breij performs her fourth official New Year’s Eve cabaret, though the October performances are sold out. 16 October, 20:15, Theaters Diligentia en PePijn. COMEDY
Exiled reporters discuss cross-border perils in Journalisten in ballingschap: Writers forced from their native countries speak with residents on the fifth floor about reporting safely from abroad. 16 October, 19:30, Centrale Bibliotheek, 1e verdieping, Studio B. TALKS / IDEAS
Ohana Surf Community Event, find a new surf buddy: Come alone or with friends to meet a surf buddy at this community gathering for people who surf. 16 October, Aloha Beachclub Surfschool Surfshop. SOCIAL / DRINKS
Walk through The Hague’s slavery history with a guide: A guide traces visible sites tied to The Hague’s slavery past, including the former Colonial Ministry and Anton de Kom’s research location. 16 October, 11:00, Museum de Gevangenpoort. TOUR
Cabaret and variety comedy, a seven-lesson beginners’ class: Across seven lessons, beginners build original cabaret material, practise humour and timing, then present about ten minutes of their own work. 16 October, 19:30, Theatersport Den Haag. CLASS
Free Haagse Media Awards recognise local media work: Free awards recognise work in podcasts, articles, documentaries, online series and photo reportages, spanning several forms of local media. 16 October, 17:00, Inter-City. TALKS / IDEAS
Good to know
New on Dutch streaming: Brothers (Apple TV), Gremlins 2: The New Batch (HBO Max), Love Village (Netflix), Have a Nice Day (Prime Video)
New on the big screen: The Beloved is now showing at Filmhuis Den Haag and Pathé Buitenhof. Showtimes here.
Overheard on Reddit: Non-EU student seeks employers sponsoring TWV permits; university jobs and retail chains typically handle paperwork.
Today's supermarket deals: Campina custard (1+1 free) from Jumbo, Chio chips or nuts (2 for €2.99) from Jumbo.
Did you know? The Hague's Royal Academy of Art (KABK) was founded in 1682, making it one of the oldest art academies still operating anywhere in the world.
211 years ago today: On October 16th, 1815, the newly bicameral Dutch parliament held its first joint session in The Hague, opened by King Willem I.
Adoptable pet of the day: Meet Gradje, a 4-year-old cat at Dierenopvangcentrum Hokazo. Take a look →Looking ahead – next week
The bigger things coming up in The Hague over the next seven days.
• Festival De Betovering · Wednesday 21 October to Friday 23 October, Theater De Regentes
• Neuzelbeurs · Saturday 17 October to Sunday 18 October, De Broodfabriek
• Boerenmarkt · Wednesday 21 October
In case you missed it
Our three most clicked-on items from yesterday’s newsletter.
In tomorrow’s edition: Neuzelbeurs returns to De Broodfabriek, a Jamaica Heroes Day celebration takes place at Wijkz Servicepunt XL Escampade, and a sold out Tula lecture on resilient women during slavery comes to the Haags Historisch Museum.
Have a great Friday.
Running something in The Hague? Tell us about it and we will take a look.
The mornings have turned properly cold, so it is worth checking your bike lights before you head out.
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