Top Things To Do In Haarlem At Night For Live Music, Food, And Local Energy

Haarlem canal with city lights and reflections, top things to do in Haarlem at night.

You can experience many things to do in Haarlem at night without leaving the city centre. Theatres run evening shows, local breweries stay open late, and streets around the canals are well-lit for a walk. If you prefer something quiet, a late dinner or a film is always an option. Live music plays in a few cafés throughout the week. Shops may close early, but the city doesn’t shut down. Haarlem’s night-time atmosphere is calm, easy to enjoy, and never too busy. Everything is close, so you can do more than one thing in an evening.

Best Things To Do In Haarlem At Night

From quiet canal views to live jazz and evening films, these things to do in Haarlem at night show you how to enjoy Haarlem after sunset.

1. Catch A Performance At Stadsschouwburg Haarlem

Catch a performance at Stadsschouwburg Haarlem, a classic pick for things to do in Haarlem at night.

Photo: Kevin Schmid / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only

If you’re spending an evening in the city, going to a show at Stadsschouwburg Haarlem is one of the best things to do in Haarlem at night. The building has been part of the city since 1918 and still keeps its original character. Inside, you’ll find curved balconies, velvet seats, and a quiet atmosphere that feels unchanged. The stage is used for theatre, dance, live music, and stand-up, with performances almost every evening. Most shows begin between 7 and 8:30 PM, which leaves enough time for dinner nearby.

Location: Wilsonsplein 23, Haarlem
Average Cost: €18 – 45 / ₹1800 – 4500
Nearby Attractions: Frans Hals Museum, Kenaupark

2. Evening Canal Cruise With Haarlem Canal Tours

Scenic view of Haarlem canals with historic buildings and calm water.

Photo: S van Heusden / Unsplash

Taking a night-time canal cruise with Haarlem Canal Tours is one of the most relaxed and visually striking things to see in Haarlem at night. Boats leave from the Melkbrug area and follow the Spaarne River, giving you a slow-paced view of the old town once the lights come on. You pass historic buildings like the Teylers Museum, St. Bavo’s Church, and old warehouses along the water, most of which are now private homes or studios. The reflections of these buildings in the river after sunset make the view even better than during the day.

Location: Spaarne River, boarding at Melkbrug
Average Cost: €20 – 25 / ₹2000 – 2500
Nearby Attractions: Teylers Museum, Grote Kerk

3. Sip Local Beers At Jopenkerk Brewery

People enjoying local beers at Jopenkerk Brewery in the evening, fun things to do in Haarlem at night.

Photo: Samuel Regan-Asante / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only

Stopping at Jopenkerk for a late drink is one of the most popular things, especially if you’re interested in craft beer and local flavours. The brewery is set inside a former church, with high ceilings, stained glass, and brewing tanks placed right behind the bar. It’s a working brewery with a full restaurant, but many people come here just for the drinks. You’ll find a wide selection of house-made beers on tap, including IPAs, tripels, and seasonal specials. The space is large and usually busy, especially on Fridays and Saturdays when it stays open until 1:00 AM.

Location: Gedempte Voldersgracht 2, Haarlem
Average Cost: €6 – 10 / ₹600 – 1000 per drink
Nearby Attractions: De Hallen Haarlem, Barteljorisstraat

4. Night Walk Through Grote Markt Square

Grote Markt Square in Haarlem at night with multiple traditional architectural buildings.

Photo: Aktron / Wikimedia Commons

Walking through Grote Markt after dark is something low-key but memorable. The square stays open and well-lit, and the buildings around it, like St. Bavo’s Church, the Town Hall, and the old Vleeshal, stand out clearly under the evening lights. The square is surrounded by cafés and restaurants, many of which stay open late, especially on weekends. Musicians sometimes perform in the area, and you’ll often see people sitting outside, even in colder weather. Since the Grote Markt is at the centre of Haarlem, you’ll likely pass through it more than once.

Location: Grote Markt, Haarlem city centre
Timings: 24*7
Nearby Attractions: St. Bavo’s Church, Town Hall, Vleeshal

5. Jazz & Wine At Café Stiel’s

Jazz and wine at Café Stiel’s is a cosy choice for things to do in Haarlem at night.

Photo: Tony Lee / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only

Café Stiel’s is a small corner bar on Smedestraat where live jazz plays several nights a week. It has been around for years and attracts regulars who know the musicians by name. Performances usually start later in the evening and continue past midnight. You’ll hear everything from slow jazz to blues and old soul, depending on the night. The space is narrow, with wooden floors, dim lighting, and a bar that serves Dutch beers, wines, and basic cocktails. There’s no stage, bands set up near the entrance, and tables fill up quickly, especially on weekends.

Location: Smedestraat 21, Haarlem
Average Cost: €5 – 9 / ₹500 – 900 per drink
Nearby Attractions: Corrie ten Boom House, Botermarkt

6. Explore Haarlem’s Hofjes By Night

Quiet courtyard garden surrounded by historic buildings in one of Haarlem’s hofjes.

Photo: Jane023 (talk) / Wikimedia Commons

Walking past Haarlem’s hofjes in the evening is one of the quieter options for what to do in Haarlem at night, especially if you enjoy local history and architecture. These small courtyard gardens are hidden behind simple doorways in the city centre. Most close by 9:00 PM, but many are still visible from the street. Some, like Proveniershofje and Hofje van Bakenes, are softly lit at night. Originally homes for elderly women, many are still lived in today. A self-guided walk reveals several at once, offering a peaceful nighttime experience.

Location: Multiple locations around central Haarlem
Nearby Attractions: Proveniershofje, Hofje van Bakenes

7. Evening At The Filmschuur Art House Cinema

Evening at the Filmschuur Art House Cinema is a cultural gem for things to do in Haarlem at night.

Photo: Jake Hills / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only

Watching a late screening at Filmschuur, if you’re interested in international films, documentaries, or lesser-known Dutch titles. The cinema is part of the Schuur cultural complex and sits just behind the main shopping streets. Filmschuur shows a wide mix of films that aren’t usually found in bigger cinemas. The programme includes lesser-known Dutch titles, foreign-language films, old favourites, and short features. Most are shown in the original language, and many include English subtitles. It’s a quiet space, and people usually come for the film rather than for a general night out.

Location: Lange Begijnestraat 9, Haarlem
Average Cost: €12 – 14 / ₹1200 – 1400
Nearby Attractions: Toneelschuur Theatre, Teylershofje

8. Dine In A Candlelit Setting At ML Restaurant

Cosy candlelit dining area at ML Restaurant with elegant table setting and tasty food.

Photo: Nicole Michalou / Pexels / Image For Representation Only

Dining at ML Restaurant, especially enjoyable if you like long meals and quiet surroundings. The kitchen offers seasonal tasting menus built around local Dutch ingredients, often presented in several courses with carefully matched wine. The space is set inside a former monument building, with tall windows, soft lighting, and neatly spaced tables. Service is calm and attentive, and the courses are well paced. It’s the kind of place where people come to focus on the food, not just have dinner.

Location: Klokhuisplein 9, Haarlem
Average Cost: €75 – 120 / ₹750 – 1200
Nearby Attractions: Archaeological Museum Haarlem, Spaarne River

9. Late-Night Shopping At Barteljorisstraat

Late-night shopping on Barteljorisstraat is one of the popular things to do in Haarlem at night.

Photo: Dương Nhân / Pexels / Image For Representation Only

If you happen to be in Haarlem on a Thursday, late-night shopping at Barteljorisstraat is one of the things to do. The street runs through the heart of the city and includes a mix of well-known brands, smaller Dutch stores, and a few independent boutiques. Shops along this stretch often adjust their hours during the week, which gives you time to look around when the streets are quieter. The entire area is easy to walk in, and there’s enough space between stores to move at your own pace without feeling crowded.

Location: Barteljorisstraat, Haarlem
Nearby Attractions: Haarlem Railway Station, Raaksparking

10. Watch The City Light Up From Molen De Adriaan Windmill

Molen De Adriaan windmill illuminated overlooking the city lights.

Photo: Mcke / Wikimedia Commons

Ending your evening near Molen de Adriaan is one of the most peaceful things to do in Haarlem. The windmill stands by the river, and once the sky darkens, the building is softly lit from below. The shape of the sails against the night sky makes it easy to recognise even from a distance. You’ll often see people standing by the water, taking photos or just stopping for a few minutes before heading home. It’s quiet in the evenings, and the windmill itself isn’t open after daylight hours, but the view is still worth the stop.

Location: Papentorenvest 1a, Haarlem
Average Cost: €5 / ₹500 (tour)
Nearby Attractions: Spaarne River promenade, Teylers Museum

You don’t need to leave the city centre to enjoy what to do in Haarlem in night. From live music and theatre to food spots and peaceful evening walks, everything is close and easy to reach. Many venues stay open late, letting you combine a few experiences in one evening. With its relaxed vibe and scenic views, Haarlem offers more after dark than you might expect. Start planning your night with TripXL.

Cover Photo: Bogdan Migulski / Wikimedia Commons

Frequently Asked Questions

You’ll find small music cafés, theatres with evening shows, late film screenings, and quiet public spaces for night walks. Some places host live jazz during the week. It’s not a party city, but if you’re looking for low-key activities after dark, there’s enough variety.
Evening canal cruises don’t run all year. Most operate between April and October, depending on the weather. During colder months, they usually stop. If you’re visiting in winter or early spring, check the website of the company ahead of time before planning anything.
Live music is mostly scheduled from Thursday to Saturday. Some bars post the week’s line-up on chalkboards near the entrance or on their windows. Friday and Saturday tend to be the busiest. If you’re out earlier in the week, it’s worth asking staff what’s planned.
Most people walk as the centre is small, and you can reach almost everything on foot without needing a map. Streets stay lit, and it’s usually quiet. Buses stop earlier than in big cities, but a few run late. Taxis are available near the station if needed.
Most buses stop earlier in the evening. Trains run later, usually until around half past midnight. After that, there isn’t much public transport. If you need to leave Haarlem late at night, a taxi is the only option.

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