“More Than Just Surfing: Why The Hague is Learning to Slow Down, Connect and Smile
Moving to a new country is a big adventure, but navigating life abroad can also bring quiet waves of loneliness and burnout. On Saturday, July 11 two foundations, The Happiness Tour and Soul Surfers are teaming up in Scheveningen to help you hit pause and ride out those challenges together.
Waves of Happiness is a unique workshop that blends evidence-based happiness science with the therapeutic flow of surfing. Whether you’re a total beginner or just looking to find a new flow, we’re inviting locals and internationals to swap screen time for sea air, get out of your head, and connect with people looking for the same thing: a little more balance and genuine community.
Ocean Therapy Meets the Science of Happiness
While the Netherlands is celebrated for happiness, a mental health crisis is gripping its political capital: 56.4% of adults in The Hague suffer from loneliness, while 20.7% of the national workforce faces severe burnout – burdens that multiply for expats navigating isolated, transient lives without a local safety net.
To break this cycle, our upcoming event brings the international community together to swap stress of the city with the ebb and flow of the waves. Join us to learn practical ways to handle stress, build real friendships, have fun and remember that no one has to navigate the ups and downs of living in a new country alone.
“Our mission is to get doctors prescribing places, people, and play to prevent and manage burnout and loneliness. Instead of waiting months on healthcare backlogs, we can start healing together right now. And that is social prescribing! ” Nuthan explains. “This tour isn’t just about learning to stand up on a surfboard; it’s a gentle invitation to pause, listen beneath the noise of our busy lives, and rediscover our collective resilience.”
Partnering for the water session is Stichting Soul Surfers, a Hague-based non-profit that has been using surf culture as a catalyst for physical and mental wellbeing since 2008. Their professional coaches will lead the “Free The Funk” surf session, which welcomes everyone regardless of background or athletic ability. Learning resilience and connection – with the waves!
Together we hope to launch this new initiative to help expats and internationals find happiness, kinder connection in the Netherlands.
What to Expect on the Beach
The morning is structured into a step-by-step journey of mindfulness and movement:
Kinder Connections: The day begins on the sand with a mindful beach walk and guided meditation to help participants ground themselves and connect with nature.
Free The Funk Surf Session: Participants will suit up (wetsuits and boards are fully provided) and head into the waves for a beginner-friendly surf lesson focused on joy and confidence rather than competition.
Science of Happiness Circle: The event concludes with an interactive sharing circle exploring the data-backed science of resilience, allowing attendees to share stories and walk away with a practical toolkit for daily life.
An Inclusive Space for Expats
Recognizing that the international community often seeks meaningful ways to meet like-minded people outside of traditional bar settings, the entire event will be conducted in English. No prior surfing experience is necessary, though basic swimming skills are required for safety.
Event Calendar Listing Details
Event Title: Waves of Happiness | Surfing Mindfulness & Connection
Date: Saturday, 11 July 2026
Time: 10:00 – 13:00 (Arrival by 09:45)
Location: The Shore, Strand Noord, Scheveningen, Den Haag
Language: English
Suitability: Beginner-friendly. No surf experience required. Basic swimming literacy is mandatory. Wetsuits and surfboards are included.
heatre festival De Parade returns this summer with its travelling mix of theatre, dance, mime, music, food and festival atmosphere. The colourful festival tours through city parks in the Netherlands, with performances taking place in theatre tents and around the festival grounds.
Each performance lasts around 30 minutes, making it easy to see two, three or even four shows in one evening. The programme includes well-known performers, new talent and a special “No Dutch Required” selection, making it accessible for international visitors too.
In The Hague, De Parade takes place in Westbroekpark from 3 to 19 July 2026. Visitors can enjoy performances, food and drinks, the KinderParade for children, and the relaxed summer atmosphere that makes De Parade one of the country’s most recognisable cultural festivals.
De Parade 2026 locations and dates
Rotterdam, Museumpark: 19 to 28 June 2026 The Hague, Westbroekpark: 3 to 19 July 2026 Amsterdam, M.L. Kingpark: 24 July to 9 August 2026 Utrecht, Moreelsepark: 14 to 30 August 2026
Even AI agrees that trees and plants demonstrably make us calmer thanks to a combination of psychological and biological mechanisms. They lower the stress hormone cortisol, reduce heart rate, and stimulate the nervous system associated with relaxation.
And naturally, countless studies have been conducted on this from various angles and by skilled people too.
And that is why an extra focus on nature seems so important in these times. We hurried, stressed, and busy people could really use the stillness it brings.
In this exhibition, you will encounter very diverse work by four female artists who approach and use this theme in their own unique way. Immerse yourself in these images created with care through photography, film, anthotype prints, collages of vintage paper, slowly changing objects, and sculptures. And who knows, you might emerge a changed person.
Represented artists: Sabine Rovers, Esther Hoogendijk, Danièle Knirim, Laura Spichtig en Isabelle Backer
On Saturday 27 June, The Hague will host the 22nd edition of Nederlandse Veteranendag, the national day of recognition and appreciation for Dutch veterans.
The Malieveld will be the central meeting point for the day, with stands, activities for children, food trucks and a full music programme. The site is open to everyone, including veterans, their families and other visitors.
A major highlight of the day is the return of the National Parade. Around 4,000 veterans, both serving and former military personnel, will march through The Hague from 12:30, accompanied by military bands and detachments from the different branches of the armed forces. The parade will be reviewed by His Majesty the King, and there will also be a fly-past by the Royal Netherlands Air Force above the city centre.
The programme on the Malieveld includes music from the Make It One Day Foundation, the Marinierskapel der Koninklijke Marine with Floor Jansen, Tribute to Toto and Coming on Strong, a Golden Earring tribute band. There will also be a smaller theatre programme with reflection, book discussions and live music.
For those who cannot attend in person, parts of the programme can also be followed via NPO 1, Omroep West and the livestream.
Date: Saturday 27 June 2026 Time: Malieveld open from 09:00 to 18:30 Location: Malieveld, The Hague Admission: Free
From 21 June to 21 September, The Hague will have a focus on sport and movement. The second edition of the Haagse Sportzomer will bring a mix of national and international top-level sporting events to the city, alongside accessible sports activities in neighbourhoods across The Hague.
“The Haagse Sportzomer clearly shows how widely sport is embraced in The Hague. From activities in the neighbourhoods to international events, we are bringing sport to the whole city. It is precisely this combination that makes it attractive for residents to take part themselves and to come and watch,” said alderman for sport Hilbert Bredemeijer.
International sport in The Hague
On the beach at Scheveningen, sport and spectators will come together for events including the Dutch beach volleyball championships, Dutch beach soccer championships and Dutch beach sprints.
The city will also welcome international sporting talent during the Under-18 Beach Volleyball World Championships and the Women’s Under-22 European Volleyball Championship. With these events, The Hague continues to strengthen its position as an international sports city.
Additional activities will also be organised around these events, giving residents the chance to try out different sports themselves, sometimes with guidance from top athletes.
Sport for all residents
Alongside the top-level sporting events, there will be accessible sports activities in all districts of the city throughout the summer. The Haagse Sportzomer Festivals are an important part of this programme. Children aged 4 to 12 can try sports such as football, dance, basketball and freerunning for free, under supervision.
In cooperation with WSDH, Werken aan Sportstad Den Haag, and local sports providers, the festivals aim to make it easier for children to connect with a sports club in their neighbourhood. Children who take part in the festivals will receive a sports pass, which they can use during and after the summer holidays for a free trial lesson.
There will also be activities for adults, including the new Haagse Beweegdag for people aged 50 and over.
The neighbourhood activities are free to attend. Some of the top-level sports events may require a paid ticket.
Stadsspelen to conclude the summer
The Haagse Sportzomer will conclude with the Stadsspelen on 19 and 20 September at Sportcampus Zuiderpark. This large-scale, free sports festival will give visitors the chance to discover a wide range of sports.
Sports clubs and associations from across The Hague will also be present, showing visitors just how much the city has to offer when it comes to sport and movement.
Image: Semifinal of the Beach Volleyball World Championships between Nummerdor/Varenhorst and Pedro/Evandro. Photo: Gemeente Den Haag / Valerie Kuypers
On June 24, The Hague University Toastmasters is hosting a Special Open House Event at the Speaker’s Corner — an evening for anyone curious about public speaking, communication, and confidence. You’re all invited!
What’s on the program?
Best of Speeches
Enjoy some of our members’ most engaging speeches and see how powerful communication can inspire and entertain. Three speakers will take the stage, Laszlo Walburg, Nicole Epp, Shuyan Zhang, and together we’ll select the “best speaker” of the night.
Leadership Workshop
Join leadership coach and public speaker Rachel Setrokarijo for an interactive workshop that will help you identify your goals, uncover what truly matters to you, and define practical steps toward achieving your vision.
Table Topics Contest
Watch (or join!) a fun challenge where speakers deliver spontaneous 2-minute speeches. During our special edition Bonfire storytelling game hosted by Mike Eekhof, guests and members can practice thinking on their feet in a fun, supportive environment. Friendly competition: the most entertaining speaker takes home a “best table topics” mug.
Whether you want to improve your presentation skills, speak more confidently in English, meet new people, or simply experience Toastmasters for the first time, this Open House is a great place to start. Register now or just drop-in: https://forms.gle/1Gt5F2nxffUfPvPP6
