Night Market in The Hague and Leiden

For those who enjoy good food and drink as well as culture, there are two Pasat Malams to visit in Leiden and The Hague. In the 'Emerald Belt,' as The Hague is known, you can visit the Jalan Jalan Festival (around the Lange Voorhout) from August 21 to 23, 2026, and on August 29 and 30, 2026, the 5th edition of Pasar Leiden will be held at the Wereldmuseum Leiden (both inside and outside the former Museum of Ethnology). Museumkaart and Vrienden Loterij VIP cards are valid. A unique opportunity to visit two locations; see the links under 'More info'.

Pass malam

A Pasar Malam (Indonesian/Malay for night market) is a market that opens in the evening in Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore), as well as in Taiwan and Hong Kong. Vegetables, fruit, and other food items are sold there, as well as toys, clothing, and music. It is a market for bargains, often featuring counterfeit branded goods, for example. In addition to serving as a center of night trade, a Pasar Malam often functions as a tourist attraction. A Pasar Malam is usually open only a few days a week. The Pasar Malam Beasr (later Tong Tong Fair) was well-known, but it was declared bankrupt in 2024.  

The Tong Tong Fair is a festival that took place annually in The Hague and primarily revolved around Indies culture, the culture of people of European and Indonesian descent. Before 2009, the Tong Tong Fair was known for many years as the Pasar Malam Besar (Indonesian for 'large evening market'), but the original name was Pasar Malam Tong Tong. The festival was usually held in late May. In 2020 and 2021, there was no Tong Tong Fair due to the coronavirus pandemic that broke out in 2020. As a result, the festival was moved to early September in 2022 and 2023. From 2024 onwards, the festival was scheduled to return to May. However, the 64th edition was cancelled due to financial problems at the underlying foundation, which applied for a moratorium on payments. On May 15, 2024, the Tong Tong Fair was declared bankrupt due to the financial problems.

Later, other organizations wanted to organize the Pasar Malams. Now there are two viable events in The Hague (Jalan Jalan) and Leiden (Pasar Leiden).

Jalan Jalan Festival The Hague, August 21 to 23, 2026

Jalan Jalan Festival is a three-day Indo-Dutch city festival in The Hague that brings together flavors, stories, perspectives, and generations. It offers space to visitors with roots in the Dutch East Indies/Indonesia, music, film, dance, exhibitions, and lectures.

Anniversary 5th ^edition Pasar Leiden, August 29 and 30, 2026

Pasar Leiden is turning 5 — and it is being celebrated in grand style with a special anniversary edition featuring no less than 2 days of festival! On August 29 and 30, the grounds of the Wereldmuseum Leiden will once again be transformed into a vibrant place full of flavors, music, and culture. For two days, you can enjoy a lively market, an inspiring cultural program, musical performances, and of course, a fun kids' corner for our youngest visitors. Pasar Leiden is an initiative of Stichting Satu Cinta in collaboration with the Wereldmuseum.

<strong> More info: </strong>

The Jalan Jalan Festival takes place in The Hague, with Jalan Pedis on the Lange Voorhout as the central location, from August 21 to August 23, 2026. For opening hours, program, and locations, see: https://jalanjalanfestival.nl/

Anniversary edition Pasar Leiden, August 29 and 30, 2026 in Leiden; for opening hours, program, and location, see: https://leiden.wereldmuseum.nl/nl/zien-en-doen/activiteiten/pasar-leiden