Jalan Jalan Festival
- July 8, 2026
- 5 min read
Jalan Jalan Festival, a place in the city center where Indonesian culture is celebrated.
The first edition of the Jalan Jalan Festival will take place in the Centrum district from August 21 to 23, 2026. During this three-day city festival, Indonesian culture, encounters, and connections take center stage. Music, dance, food, art, and stories come together across various locations in The Hague city center, with the Lange Voorhout serving as the vibrant heart of the festival.
The Jalan Jalan Festival shows how cultural heritage can connect generations. For Monica Kwakkelstein , that is precisely why this initiative is so special. She sees the festival as a valuable addition to The Hague, a city that has been connected to the Indo-Dutch community for generations.
Proud of Jalan Jalan Festival
From Jalan Pedis to Jalan Jalan Festival
Initiator Vivian Boon explains that the festival originated after the Tong Tong Fair ceased operations. The Municipality of The Hague investigated whether there was a need for a new large-scale festival centering on Indonesian culture. That need proved to be significant.
In 2025, Jalan Pedis already provided a first taste of what was possible. The success of that event formed the basis for a larger, city-wide follow-up. This is how the Jalan Jalan Festival came into being, which will take place for the first time over several days and at various locations in The Hague city center in 2026.
Connection through culture
During the festival, various locations in The Hague city center are connected. Visitors walk from place to place and discover music, dance, art, workshops, and Indonesian cuisine along the way.
According to Vivian, the festival brings people together. Food, music, and stories form the basis for encounters, while visitors simultaneously become acquainted with various aspects of Indonesian culture. In this way, new connections are formed between residents, visitors, and different generations.
A tradition for the future
What makes the Jalan Jalan Festival special is that a rich culture is not only commemorated, but also actively experienced and passed on. Indies culture has now been cherished by four generations, and with this festival, it is given a contemporary place in the city.
The festival shows that traditions live on when they are celebrated together and shared with new generations.
Proud of what is created together
Within Nieuw70, the Jalan Jalan Festival is an example of how culture connects people and contributes to the identity of The Hague. The initiative brings together history, encounters, and experiences, demonstrating that cultural heritage is still very much alive today. Monica and Vivian are visibly proud of it.
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