Would you like to speak more Dutch but find it difficult to use the language outside the classroom? On Thursday 26 November 2026, Praat Nederlands Day offers internationals an opportunity to use their Dutch in relaxed, everyday situations, with a programme of workshops, conversation activities and social events across The Hague.
This year, Praat Nederlands Day is going national, with international centres across the Netherlands working together to encourage people to speak Dutch and build their confidence.
In The Hague, The Hague International Centre and its local partners are organising activities for different ages and language levels. Whether you are learning your first Dutch words or already have conversations in Dutch, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved.
Discover the Activities
The programme includes a wide variety of activities, with something for beginners, more experienced learners and families. Some of the activities on offer include:
Introductory Dutch lessons for complete beginners who would like to learn their first words and phrases.
Conversation cafés for participants at A2 and B1 levels who want to become more confident speaking Dutch.
Crafts & Chats sessions, combining conversation with colouring, crafts and games.
Dutch in the workplace, with practical advice for speaking more Dutch with colleagues.
Language confidence workshops, exploring how to overcome the tendency to switch back to English.
Dutch lessons for children, including introductory activities for children aged five to eight.
A historical walking tour, organised by Haags Historisch Museum, combining local history with opportunities to use Dutch.
Dutch film, music and culture activities, making language learning a more enjoyable experience.
AI and language-learning workshops, exploring new tools and approaches to learning Dutch.
Social gatherings and games, including a Dutch culture pub quiz and opportunities to meet other internationals.
Activities vary in their language requirements, and some are particularly suitable for people who are just beginning to learn Dutch.
Welcome to The Hague: A Special Edition
The day also includes a special edition of The Hague International Centre’s Welcome to The Hague event at The Fiddler.
Organised in cooperation with At Home Abroad, the evening includes Meet & Mingle Bingo and a Dutch Culture Pub Quiz, offering newcomers an opportunity to meet other internationals and use their Dutch in a friendly setting.
Participants do not need to speak fluent Dutch to take part.
Practical Information
Date: Thursday 26 November 2026
Times: Activities take place throughout the day and evening, depending on the programme.
Locations: Various venues throughout The Hague.
Who can participate: Internationals of different backgrounds, ages and Dutch language levels.
Registration: Check individual activities for times, locations and registration requirements.
The activities listed above are just a selection of the full programme. Visit The Hague International Centre’s website to explore all the options and find something that suits your interests and language level.
Festival de Betovering returns to The Hague from 17 to 25 October 2026, bringing nine days of theatre, dance, music, film and creative workshops for children during the autumn school holidays. The international arts festival offers hundreds of activities at 65 locations across The Hague and surrounding areas.
Children to around 12 years old can enjoy performances by Dutch and international artists, take part in hands-on workshops and discover creative activities at museums, theatres, libraries and community centres. The Festival Centre at Theater aan het Spui also offers activities throughout the week.
For international families, the festival includes a Language No Problem selection, featuring performances and activities with little or no spoken Dutch. There are also free activities, and Ooievaarspas holders can receive discounts on tickets.
Highlights include imaginative theatre for younger children, dance and music performances, stop-motion filmmaking, graffiti workshops and interactive art activities. With events taking place throughout the city, families can choose activities suited to different ages and interests.
Date: 17–25 October 2026
Location: Various venues across The Hague and surrounding areas
Motorists can now park at the new P+R Victory Boogie Woogie on Laan van Hoornwijck 70T and travel to The Hague city centre in approximately 15 minutes using tram 1 or 15.
P+R stands for Park and Ride, a system that allows drivers to park their cars outside the city centre and continue their journey by public transport. These facilities are common throughout the Netherlands and offer a convenient alternative to driving into busy city centres, where parking can be expensive.
The new facility has 338 parking spaces and was officially opened on Wednesday 14 October by Alderman for Mobility Adeel Mahmood.
Convenient Parking and Public Transport Connections
The new Park and Ride facility is located near the A4 and A13 motorways, with convenient connections to The Hague’s public transport network.
Visitors can park without booking in advance, although regular parking charges apply. Those wishing to use the discounted P+R combination ticket, which includes parking and return tram travel, should reserve online before their visit.
The parking facility is open 24 hours a day.
P+R Tickets and Tram Travel
A combined P+R parking and tram ticket costs €6.50 for one person, with an additional €1 for each extra passenger, up to a maximum of €10.50 for a group of five.
The ticket includes parking and a same-day return journey on tram 1 or 15. Travellers can book online in advance and should check the applicable parking conditions, including the permitted parking duration, when making their reservation.
Combining Car and Public Transport
According to Alderman Mahmood, the new facility reflects the city’s aim to offer travellers more choice in how they get around.
“Every journey is different. With this location, we are making it easier to combine car travel with public transport. The P+R contributes to the city’s accessibility and a better balance between different transport options.”
The new P+R provides another option for people travelling into The Hague, allowing them to park outside the city centre and continue their journey by tram.
The renovation and expansion of the Haags Historisch Museum (The Hague Historical Museum) has reached an important milestone, with construction reaching its highest point. To mark the occasion, Alderman for Culture Lotte van Basten Batenburg and Museum Director Tjeerd Vrij raised The Hague’s flag on the roof of the building.
The ceremony is a traditional way of recognising the work of the construction teams involved in the project, which aims to create a more accessible, sustainable and welcoming museum for residents and visitors.
“Reaching the highest point is a wonderful moment. A great deal of work is being done here to create a renewed, future-proof Haags Historisch Museum. Thanks to the efforts of many skilled workers, residents and visitors will soon once again be able to enjoy everything the museum has to offer,” said Alderman Van Basten Batenburg.
Renovation Well Underway
The museum, located in The Hague’s historic Museum Quarter near the Hofvijver, has been closed for renovation since autumn 2024.
Much of the demolition work has now been completed. The building’s façades and window frames have been cleaned, painted and repaired where necessary, and the restored façade overlooking the Hofvijver is now visible following the removal of the scaffolding.
The renovation will make the museum more accessible to people with disabilities and better equipped to welcome school groups. Sustainability improvements include the installation of a heat pump and solar panels.
Additional space is also being created for exhibitions, educational programmes and public activities, allowing the museum to welcome a broader audience.
Unexpected Challenges During Construction
Renovating a historic building comes with its own challenges. During the work, old foundations and a former watercourse were discovered underground, requiring adjustments to the plans for the new foundations.
The project has also faced difficulties with some of its planned sustainability improvements because of congestion on the electricity grid, an issue affecting developments across the Netherlands.
Museum Director Tjeerd Vrij joined the alderman to inspect the progress of the work and recognise the contributions of those involved.
“Reaching the highest point is an important moment in the museum’s renewal. That’s why we’re pleased to take this opportunity to acknowledge the skilled workers who are making such a significant contribution to the project,” he said.
The Hague’s History Remains Accessible
Although the museum building is temporarily closed, parts of its collection remain available to the public.
One of its best-known works, Gezicht op Den Haag (View of The Hague) by 17th-century Dutch painter Jan van Goyen, is currently on display free of charge in the Atrium of The Hague City Hall.
The large city panorama depicts The Hague as it appeared in the 17th century and is one of the highlights of the museum’s collection.
During the renovation, the museum continues to organise activities, including guided walks around the city and educational programmes in schools. Important works from its collection are also being loaned to other museums, allowing visitors to continue discovering The Hague’s history.
Reopening Planned for 2028
The renovated and expanded museum is expected to reopen in mid-2028.
The plans include improved visitor facilities, additional exhibition space and a new entrance on Tournooiveld, making the museum more accessible and easier to navigate.
The completed project will bring together the museum’s historic building and new facilities, creating more opportunities to explore the city’s past and present.
The Municipality of The Hague is once again offering gift cards to informal carers and volunteers in recognition of their contribution to the community. Applications opened on Wednesday 14 October and will remain open until 24 December 2026.
The annual initiative acknowledges the thousands of people who give their time and energy to support others, helping to make The Hague a city where residents look out for one another.
Recognising the People Who Make a Difference
Informal carers, known in Dutch as mantelzorgers, are people who provide unpaid care or support to a partner, family member, friend or neighbour who needs additional assistance because of illness, age or disability.
This might involve helping with shopping, household tasks, personal care or providing regular companionship. Unlike professional care workers, informal carers generally provide this support because of their personal connection to the person receiving care.
Volunteers also make an important contribution to life in The Hague, supporting sports clubs, neighbourhood initiatives, community organisations and a wide variety of local activities.
Through the gift card initiative, the municipality aims to recognise and thank both groups for their dedication.
Alderman for Care and Welfare Ralf Sluijs said:
“Behind every informal carer and volunteer is a story of commitment and dedication. They give their time, attention and energy to others. That makes a great difference to many people. With this gift card, we want to show that their efforts are seen and appreciated.”
Alderman for Volunteers Kavish Partiman also emphasised their importance:
“The efforts of volunteers and informal carers make The Hague a pleasant place to live. You may not always see them, but without them the city would come to a standstill. This gift card is our small token of appreciation for this quiet but indispensable group.”
Who Can Apply for a Gift Card?
The municipality has established separate eligibility conditions for informal carers and volunteers.
For informal carers:
You must live in the province of South Holland.
You must provide care for someone living in The Hague.
You must have provided care for at least three months, for a minimum of eight hours per week.
The person receiving care must be elderly, ill or have a disability.
For volunteers:
You must live in South Holland.
You must volunteer for an organisation based in The Hague.
You must have been volunteering for at least three months.
Applicants must be at least 13 years old and can apply for the gift card once per year.
Residents who qualify as both an informal carer and a volunteer may apply for both gift cards, but must submit separate applications.
How to Apply
Applications are open from 14 October until 24 December 2026.
You can apply online through the municipality’s website using DigiD. Once the application has been submitted, the municipality will confirm within four weeks whether it has been approved.
Approved applicants receive access to an online shop where they can choose from more than 100 different gift cards.
The municipality may also carry out telephone checks to confirm that applicants meet the eligibility conditions.
Anyone who needs assistance with the online application can visit a Servicepunt XL, where staff can provide support.
The municipality is also encouraging residents to spread the word. If you know someone who regularly cares for a family member, friend or neighbour, or who volunteers their time to help others, they may be eligible for this recognition.
