Wednesday 11 November brings lanterns, the start of the carnival season and a wet day for much of the country. Here is what internationals in the Netherlands need to know today.
Lanterns and songs on the streets tonight
Children in dozens of Dutch towns and villages will go door to door after dark on Wednesday for Sint-Maarten, carrying handmade lanterns and singing short traditional songs. In return, they get fruit or candy. If you live in one of these places, expect a knock at the door this evening, and it helps to have something small ready to hand out.
Source: NL Times
Senate approves growing embryos for research
The Dutch senate has approved plans that will let scientists use specially grown embryos for research, including research into hereditary illnesses. The vote changes what is allowed in medical research in the Netherlands.
Source: DutchNews
Carnival season opens and rain hangs over the south
Today is the Elfde van de Elfde, the traditional opening of the carnival season, and parts of the country are also celebrating Sint-Maarten. The morning is cloudy, with spells of rain in the southern half and fog in the Wadden area. The north should see some sun this afternoon, while the south stays wet for longer, with highs between 6 and 9 degrees. NOS also reports a nationwide strike in Spain, with demonstrations announced in almost all major cities, which is worth knowing if you are travelling there.
Source: NOS
Questions over crowdfunded money for homeless mothers
In Amsterdam, a crowdfunding campaign raised 42,000 euros for homeless mothers, and there is now a dispute over where that money went. The case is a reminder to check who runs a campaign before you donate.
Source: Het Parool
Overnight car fire in Feijenoord
In Rotterdam, a car caught fire in a parking area on the Passerstraat in Feijenoord during the night from Tuesday to Wednesday. Firefighters had to break open parts of the vehicle to put the fire out completely.
Source: Rijnmond
Parked car burns out in Delft
In Delft, a parked car burned out at around 3.15 on Wednesday morning on the Isaac da Costalaan in the Voorhof district. A second car nearby was also damaged.
Source: Omroep West
Netherlands Today is a curated digest: we summarise and link, the reporting belongs to the publications named. Something wrong or missing? Tell us.
Sources
- NL Times: Children in the Netherlands set to mark Sint-Maarten with lanterns, door-to-door songs, accessed 11 November 2026
- DutchNews: Senators back plan to cultivate embryos for scientific research, accessed 11 November 2026
- NOS: Wekdienst 11/11: Elfde van de Elfde en Sint-Maarten gevierd • Online misbruikzaak voor de rechter, accessed 11 November 2026
- Het Parool: Crowdfunding bracht 42.000 euro op voor Amsterdamse dakloze moeders, nu wordt gesteggeld over waar het geld bleef, accessed 11 November 2026
- Rijnmond: Auto vliegt in brand op parkeerplaats in Rotterdam-Feijenoord, accessed 11 November 2026
- Omroep West: Vlammenzee verwoest geparkeerde auto, accessed 11 November 2026
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