A vacation in Aruba is a versatile thing. It can be a relaxing, quiet time for you and your family to slow down, enjoy the beach and recharge your batteries. There are many low-key activities that you can spend your days doing and plenty of beaches to rest on when you don’t feel like doing any of them. Aruba is also a great vacation destination if you are looking for a celebration. There are several annual events in Aruba that are totally worth visiting the island to enjoy. Carnival, Dia de San Juan and the Bon Bini Festival are among the best loved celebrations in the Caribbean.
Carnival is the 6 week long festival that takes place between New Year’s Day and Ash Wednesday in Aruba. One of Aruba’s best loved events, it is a raucous combination of music, color and merriment that features near daily parades and nightly “jump ups” or street parties. People travel to Aruba from all over the Caribbean and all over the world to join in the great festivities. Aruba is a harmonious combination of several different cultures and its Carnival is no different. You can hear Latin Salsa music and Dutch Oom-Pa-Pa all at the same time.
The Dia de San Juan or St. John’s Day is another favorite event in Aruba. This festival is only celebrated on the island of Aruba and is marked by a day of singing and dancing. A singer will chant a familiar “bury rooster” tune or “dera gai” as it is called, while players will accompany him with drums, violins and a local instrument known as a wiri. As the song is being sung, someone will be selected to hit a fake rooster with their eyes closed, much like a piñata. A very “Aruban” celebration, there is nothing else quite like it anywhere else in the world.
The Bon Bini Festival is actually a series of year round events that happen every Tuesday, in the capital city of Oranjestad. Bon Bini means welcome, and features local artists and craftsmen displaying their wares, along with steel drum players and dancers showcasing their talents. A short two hour weekly festival, it is a great way to start your Tuesday evening. No matter which of the events in Aruba you are here for, you are bound to enjoy the lively nature of the celebrations. Make your vacation a truly memorable trip and join the party in Aruba.
