Enjoying Warm Evenings Longer: Pilot Program with Extended Terrace Hours
This summer, a pilot program will begin in downtown Wassenaar to extend the operating hours of restaurant and café patios during warm weather. The pilot will run from Friday, July 17, through Thursday, October 15, 2026.
On days when the maximum temperature is 25 degrees Celsius or higher, outdoor dining areas may remain open one hour longer than usual. The latest closing time is midnight. The pilot program stems from a request by the Wassenaar chapter of Koninklijke Horeca Nederland. Similar regulations are in place in other municipalities, such as The Hague and Leiden.
Pilot provides insight into real-world practice
On sunny, warm days, demand for outdoor seating is often higher, and people tend to stay outside longer.
Laurens van Doeveren, Alderman Affairs, explains: “With this pilot program, we’re responding to the desire of residents and visitors to spend more time outdoors on warm summer evenings. At the same time, we’re giving hospitality business owners more flexibility to adapt to this trend and are helping to create a vibrant and attractive community.”
In addition, the pilot program provides an opportunity to gain experience with the extended terrace hours.
Evaluation
At the end of the trial period, the results will be evaluated. The evaluation will take into account the experiences of visitors, business owners, and local residents, as well as the effects on quality of life and public order. This will provide a clear picture of how the regulation works in practice. Subsequently, a decision will be made on whether to implement the so-called “summer schedule” on a permanent and structural basis.
You can find more information about the extended hours on the special page on the website.
