Information for the 2022–2023 New Year's Holiday

Fireworks Rules

There are rules governing the use of fireworks. Fireworks (Category F2) may only be set off on December 31 from 6:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. You must be at least 12 years old to purchase F1 fireworks (children’s or novelty fireworks) and at least 16 years old to purchase F2 fireworks (including cake fireworks and fountains). Fireworks may only be sold on December 29, 30, and 31. In the Netherlands, it is illegal to possess or set off illegal fireworks. These include, among others, cobras, nitrate fireworks, butterflies, avalanche rockets, mortar bombs, and sparklers.

Fireworks-Free Zones

In Voorschoten, the following locations (including the immediate vicinity) have been designated as fireworks-free zones. You may not set off fireworks here on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Night:

  •           Burgemeester Berkhout Park (including the area around Kruispuntkerk)
  •           The City Hall at Leidseweg 25
  •           The Van der Valk Hotel at Veurseweg 180
  •           The Adegeest Residential Care Center at 21 Bachlaan
  •           The Vlietwijk Nursing and Care Home at 2 Professor Einsteinweg
  •           The construction site of the Foreschate nursing and care home at 1 Rouboslaan
  •           The Oud Bijdorp Nursing and Care Home at Veurseweg 3
  •           Voorschoten Petting Zoo on the Rosenburgh Estate
  •           The paper recycling bin at Vliet and Wegen 3

Bonfires

Large bonfires are prohibited. A cozy (small) decorative fire in a fire pit is allowed. Keep it in your own front or back yard—not on public roads. Make sure there is enough distance between the fire and buildings, public roads, and other people’s property. Burn only wood, and do not throw trash into the decorative fire.

Christmas Tree Collection, January 6

For every Christmas tree you turn in, you’ll receive €0.50 during the Christmas tree collection on Friday, January 6, 2023. Have you collected at least 30 Christmas trees? If so, please contact the municipality at 14071 to have the trees picked up. You don’t have to wait until January 6 to do this.

Christmas Tree Drop-Off Locations

Drop-off times: 12:30 p.m.–4:00 p.m.

  • 21 Koninklijke Marinelaan
  • Plancius Park
  • Baron Schimmelpenninck van der Oyelaan
  • Chopin Avenue/Diepenbrock Avenue
  • Koeriersterpad / Bertus van Akenlaan
  • Multatulilaan/Krimkade

 Rules of the Game

  • The following applies at all locations: You will receive €0.50 for each tree you turn in.
  • All nails must be removed from the Christmas trees.
  • Only individuals may participate in this promotion.

What does the municipality do?

Trash Cans

In the days leading up to New Year’s Eve, the municipality will remove the trash cans from playgrounds. We will lock the trash cans that remain in place. This will begin on December 27. After New Year’s, we will return the trash cans to their original locations or unlock them again.

Waste Collection Schedule

Check thewaste collection calendaror the waste app for the collection days at your address. In week 52, the schedule has been adjusted, and the municipality will collect extra general waste and old paper. We will not be collecting organic waste during that time. This also applies to week 1 of 2023. Flatten cardboard boxes or bring them to the municipal waste collection site on Koninklijke Marinelaan on Wednesdays (12:00 PM–4:00 PM). The new waste collection calendar for 2023 is also available on the website mentioned above.

Underground and Above-Ground Containers

The underground containers will be emptied on Boxing Day. On New Year’s Eve, the municipality will close the underground and above-ground containers. We will reopen them the following morning. We will lock the containers for paper, plastic, textiles, and glass sometime on New Year’s Eve. The underground containers for general waste will be locked at 6:00 p.m. and will reopen the next morning at 8:00 a.m.

What can you do on your own?

Flammable items

Please take large items of trash and construction materials to the recycling center before New Year’s Eve. The police and special enforcement officers will monitor this and enforce the rules where necessary. The recycling center at Hogeboomseweg 62 in Wassenaar is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The recycling center is closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day, and is open until 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 24, and Saturday, December 31.

Trash can in the backyard

If you have room, place your green, gray, and/or blue bins in the backyard or indoors to prevent damage.

For your safety

During New Year's Eve, strict measures will be taken against vandalism and violence. Some locations will have extra security.

Report Fireworks Disturbances

Before New Year’s Eve, you can report fireworks-related disturbances to the municipality by calling 14071 or emailing toezicht@voorschoten.nl. Call the police at 112 in life-threatening situations. If the situation is not dangerous, please report the disturbance using the reporting form at www.politie.nl.

On Saturday, December 31, the municipality of Voorschoten can be reached from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at 088-6549650 to report fireworks-related disturbances. After 3:00 p.m., fireworks-related disturbances can be reported to the police.

Young People and HALT

The police refer young people aged 12 through 17 who violate the fireworks regulations to Halt. Young people who cause property damage must pay for the damage.

Youth Programs During the Christmas Break

Voorschoten Youth Services is here for you. The youth workers will be available throughout the Christmas break on Instagram: jongerenwerk_voorschoten.

The De Groene Kikker Clubhouse (Frans Halsplantsoen 10, Voorschoten) will be open on Friday evening, December 30, Friday evening, January 6, and Sunday evening, January 8, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Activities include video games, table tennis, and darts.

On Tuesday, December 27, and Tuesday, January 3, the youth workers will be at the clubhouse from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. to answer any questions. If you have ideas for an activity, feel free to come share them (you can also send them via DM on Instagram). During the Christmas break, we’ll definitely be visiting World of Graffiti in The Hague for a graffiti workshop. Want to sign up? Check Instagram for the date and time.

Would you like more information? Then check out www.voorschotenvoorelkaar/jongerenwerk and .

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