Why not combine your visit to the family reunion with other activities? Here are a few suggestions for things to do and see during your stay in The Netherlands (and/or Belgium):
Tong Tong Fair (before: Pasar Malam Besar)
When and where?
May 19th – 30th 2010 in Den Haag
What?
“The Tong Tong Fair in The Hague is the biggest Eurasian fair in the world. In 2008 it was held for the 50th time – a golden jubilee, with 133,000 visitors!
The event is a sensory stimulating blend of cultural festival, exhibition and food fest rolled into one, held in an archipelago of tents and stands. One of the biggest attractions is the Tong Tong Festival, with more than 400 performances spread over 12 days. The daily entry ticket for the Tong Tong Fair also includes a theatre pass for the Tong Tong Festival.
The Tong Tong Fair comprises the immense Grand Pasar, the famous East-West exhibition with hundreds of stands offering Eastern merchandise and food. Many of the exhibitors come all the way from Indonesia especially for the event. Equally famous is the Food Court with dozens of restaurants and ‘warungs’; it is one of the biggest of its kind in Europe. ”
More info:
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Brussels Jazz Marathon
When and where?
Last weekend of May in Brussels (Belgium)
What?
For the 14th time in a row, the Brussels Jazz Marathon weekend will be the annual rendez-vous on which you can loosen the ‘jazzcat’ in you. And just like there are people that prefer pure, milk or white chocolate, we made sure that everyone can find their musical taste within the program. Jazz, latino, funk, rock and blues, you name it.”
More info:
http://www.brusselsjazzmarathon.be/
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Keukenhof
When and where?
March 18th – May 16th 2010 in Lisse (between Amsterdam and Den Haag)
What?
“For 60 years now, Keukenhof has been the most beautiful place in the world, where spring bursts out in all of its colourful majesty. Here you can find inspiration and relaxation in a magnificent park environment. In addition to the millions of blooming flower bulbs and fantastic flower shows, Keukenhof has the largest sculpture garden in the Netherlands and is the most photographed spot in the world.”
More info:
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Koninginnedag
When and where?
April 30th 2010 in major cities in The Netherlands
What?
“Koninginnedag or Queen’s Day is a national holiday in the Netherlands. Queen’s Day celebrates the birthday of the Queen of the Netherlands and is supposed to be a day of national unity and “togetherness” (Dutch: saamhorigheid).
Queen’s Day is known for its “freemarket” (Dutch: vrijmarkt) all over the country, where everybody is allowed to sell things in the streets. Other activities during Queen’s Day are children’s games, individual musical performances, and music concerts. The night before Queen’s Day is celebrated too in some cities, and this is called Queen’s Night (Dutch: Koninginnenacht).
The largest celebration of Queen’s Day is in Amsterdam, Queen’s Night in The Hague and Queen’s Dance (Dutch: Koninginnedans) in Rotterdam. During the celebrations as reference to the colours of the House of Orange-Nassau, people dress in the colour orange, which is sometimes called “orange craze” (Dutch: oranjegekte).”
More info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koninginnedag
http://www.koninginnedagamsterdam.nl
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Kunstenfestivaldesarts
When and where?
May 7th – May 29th 2010 in Brussels (Belgium)
What?
« Spectators move from one show to the next, and in doing so, make real the space that is the festival… »
“Throughout May 2009, the Kunstenfestivaldesarts took up a significant position in the city, notably by investing Les Brigittines (this year’s festival centre) and its surroundings with singular and thought-provoking artistic projects. In centring on contemporary international creations, Kunstenfestivaldesarts 09 was more than ever a space in which to discover new things, raise questions and debate issues, but also to take pleasure. As such, it is a benchmark for contemporary artistic creations.”
More info:
http://www.kunstenfestivaldesarts.be/
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Pinkpop festival
When and where?
May 28th – 30th 2010 in Landgraaf
What?
“The Netherlands’ most famous open-air festival and Europe’s longest-running uninterrupted outdoor pop festival Pinkpop will take place for the 40th time in the city of Landgraaf, at the beautiful festival site Megaland, 134 miles south of Amsterdam. There are 4 large campsites, providing space for 50.000 campers.”
More info:
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Giro d’Italia
When and where?
May 8th – 10th 2010 in Amsterdam, Utrecht and other cities
What?
“The 2010 Giro d’Italia will be the 93rd edition of the Giro d’Italia, one of cycling’s Grand Tours. The Giro will start off in Amsterdam on May 8th and will stay in the Netherlands for three stages, before leaving the country.”
Whether or not you are a cycling fan, this event is an unique opportunity to visit. Besides Italian sports madness combined with the cheerful enthusiasm of the Dutch locals, expect Amsterdam to turn into an even more pink environment (the characteristic colour of this event).
May 8th: Amsterdam (Individual time trial)
May 9th: Amsterdam – Utrecht
May 10th: Amsterdam – Middelburg
More info:
http://www.gazzetta.it/Speciali/Giroditalia/2010/en/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_Giro_d%27Italia
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Ong family - Ong Jap Lik - Reunion 2010 - 王网 
Thanks for the post. I didn’t know anything about Tong Tong, and will try to get down to The Hague for it. We in Amsterdam do know all about the Giro Koninginnedag of course!
Cheers, Richard
http://richardtulloch.wordpress.com/2010/01/26/europes-biggest-street-party-queens-day-holland/
Comment by Richard Tulloch April 13, 2010 @ 20:37