Welcome to Wassenaar Weekly, your English-language roundup of local news, events and community updates. Here is what happened in Wassenaar this week.
Wassenaar unveils action plan for the coming years
Wassenaar’s municipal executive has presented an action plan setting out more than 100 measures it intends to implement over the next four years.
The programme outlines how the municipality plans to deliver on the coalition agreement Samen bouwen aan Wassenaar (Building Wassenaar Together), published in May 2026.
Key priorities include accelerating housing projects, increasing support for sports clubs, improving road safety, strengthening enforcement and making the town centre more attractive. The municipality also wants to simplify permit applications.
Major projects include the renovation of Raadhuis De Paauw and Theater Warenar, improvements to existing schools and the construction of a new school in Wassenaar-Noord.
Most measures are scheduled to begin in 2026 or 2027. The programme sets out deadlines and any additional funding required. Progress will be reviewed annually.
Alderman Laurens van Doeveren says the plan should make municipal decisions and projects more transparent and easier for residents to follow.
Sinterklaas to arrive in Wassenaar on 15 November
Wassenaar will welcome Sinterklaas on Sunday 15 November with an afternoon of music, entertainment and activities for children.
The celebrations begin at 12.45 pm in the harbour, where Piet Martino and Magic Piet will entertain families ahead of Sinterklaas’s arrival at 1.20 pm.
At 1.40 pm, a festive parade will make its way through the town centre to the square near Van Hogendorpstraat.
From around 2.15 pm, children can enjoy another performance and meet Sinterklaas, take photographs and hand over their drawings. The programme ends at 3.30 pm.
The event is organised by Stichting Centrum Management Wassenaar. More information is available at www.winkelsinwassenaar.nl.
American School of The Hague to host Winter Bazaar
The American School of The Hague in Wassenaar will hold its annual Winter Bazaar on Saturday 14 November, bringing together local residents and the international community.
More than 60 stalls will offer gifts, home decorations and other products, including items from local businesses. Visitors can also enjoy refreshments and festive music.
For younger visitors, there will be a Kids Zone with craft activities and a play area, as well as a winter-themed mini photo shoot.
The indoor event takes place from 10.00 am to 3.00 pm at the American School of The Hague, Rijksstraatweg 200.
The bazaar is open to everyone, and parking is free.
Van Wassenaer Orchestra celebrates 40 years
The Van Wassenaer Orchestra will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a special concert at the Messiaskerk in Wassenaar on Sunday 15 November.
The programme opens with Concerto Armonico VI by Unico Wilhelm van Wassenaer, the composer after whom the orchestra is named. An arrangement by Renske Ligtmans allows the orchestra’s wind players to take part.
The concert also features Francesco Antonio Rosetti’s Concerto for Two Horns in E-flat major, with young Spanish horn players Diego Palacio Buil and José Luis Martinez as soloists.
The afternoon concludes with Franz Schubert’s Symphony No. 3 in D major. The orchestra will perform under the direction of conductor Dick Verhoef.
The concert begins at 3.00 pm. Tickets are available through www.vanwassenaerorkest.nl, at bookshop De Kler and from orchestra members.
Wassenaar approves 2027 budget and abolishes dog tax
Wassenaar’s municipal council has approved the 2027 budget by a large majority, with the abolition of dog tax emerging as the main change.
Only Democratische Liberalen Wassenaar (DLW) and Forum voor Democratie (FVD) voted against the budget, the first presented by the new VVD, D66 and Lokaal Wassenaar coalition.
The budget includes additional funding for enforcement, sports clubs, local businesses and the town centre. Investments are also planned in schools, municipal buildings and roads. Municipal property tax will rise only in line with inflation.
Of the 30 motions and nine amendments submitted during the debate, only one was adopted: a proposal by Lokaal Wassenaar, VVD and D66 to abolish dog tax from 1 January 2027.
The measure will reduce municipal revenue by €227,000 a year. The municipal executive must propose a long-term funding solution as part of its 2028 financial planning.
Other proposals, including changes to spending on housing development, road maintenance and social services, failed to secure a majority.
Alderman for Finance Laurens van Doeveren welcomed the broad support for the budget. He said the municipality aims to continue investing in local services without raising taxes beyond inflation.
KlusWijs hardware store to become GAMMA
Wassenaar’s KlusWijs hardware store will become a GAMMA branch in 2027 following its sale to retail operator Goedhart.
Owner Dennis van Veen has sold the business to the company, which also operates the existing GAMMA Compact store on Hofcampweg.
Work to convert the KlusWijs premises will begin on 1 January 2027. Once the new GAMMA store opens, the existing GAMMA Compact branch will close.
Current KlusWijs employees will transfer to the new store, while Van Veen will continue working independently on custom projects.
Ahead of the change, KlusWijs launched a clearance sale on Friday 6 November, offering discounts on much of its existing stock until the end of the year, while stocks last.
De Kieviten receives royal honour for centenary
Wassenaar sports club De Kieviten has received a Royal Medal of Honour in recognition of its 100-year history and contribution to the local community.
Mayor Leendert de Lange presented the award on Saturday 7 November during the club’s centenary celebrations at sports hall De Duinpan.
The distinction is awarded on behalf of the King to organisations that have made an exceptional contribution to society over many years.
Founded in 1926, De Kieviten has grown into a club with around 2,000 members. It offers hockey, tennis and golf, with padel expected to be added soon.
During the ceremony, De Lange praised the club’s role in bringing generations of Wassenaar residents together through sport and friendship.
He also thanked the volunteers, coaches and committee members whose efforts have helped sustain the club over the past century.
The club received an official certificate alongside the medal.
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