Carnaval in Aruba

Welcome in Spring

Carnaval, or Carnival, is a multiple-week long event in Aruba, and in other countries, which celebrates the end of winter and the coming of the new spring season. There is more history to the event than this, with roots in Paganism. It begins on New Year’s Day, or rather after midnight on New Year’s Eve, and continues until Ash Wednesday in the middle of February. To truly experience a wonderful time in Aruba, plan a vacation during these weeks and find out what everyone is talking about!

The weeks of Carnaval mean exciting, colorful decorations, traditional and modern music, costumed performers and multiple parades. The celebrating takes place day and night, with music and parades winding through the streets at such stimulating times as four in the morning! The music during these celebrations is mostly geared toward authentic island music. Antillean “tumba” music, steel bands and salsa beats will fill your ears as parade participants light up the street with their dancing and glittery costumes. There is also a selection of Dutch-influenced sounds since the island is a colony of the Netherlands.

The first parade of Caranaval takes place at the end of January, called the Balloon Parade. This takes place in the streets of the town called San Nicolas on the opposite side of the island from Oranjestad, the capitol of Aruba. A week later is the Children’s Parade in the afternoon. That same night, Aruba Tivoli’s Lighting Parade takes place in the capitol city. Hundreds of tiny lights illuminate dancers and floats as they travel through the streets. The very next day, Sunday, is a continuation of the Children’s Parade on a different part of the island. Monday is the designated rest day to gear up for more celebrating later in the week! By the middle of February, Carnaval gets even more exciting with the Jouvert Morning and Payama Party. This is the event that begins at 4:00am in the streets of San Nicolas

The stretched out celebrating culminates in the Grand Parade the day before Ash Wednesday, or Mardi Gras. This event lasts all day and every participant really puts on a show for the “finale.” The burning of “King Momo” in the evening is a representation of burning flesh, a ritual appropriate for the eve of Ash Wednesday as the ashes from that burning will be used to next day. For the ultimate Aruba experience, you will not want to miss out on Carnaval, so book your vacation today!

What does carnival in Aruba mean for tourists? Is it hard to find a hotel? Or are there still rooms available?