Use this helpful Aruba events calendar to find the most comprehensive
list of festivals and happenings. From the crystal sand beaches to the tropical
interior, find everything you need to know about Aruba events right here. With so
many Aruba events to choose, you’ll always find entertainment and fun here!
Year-Around |
January/February | March |
April | May | June | July
August | September | October
| November | December
YEAR-AROUND
Bonbini Festival
Every Tuesday at Fort Zoutman from 6:30 to 8:30pm. Arts, crafts, local food and beverages,folkloric music and dance.
Shopping Bazaar
Shopping Bazaar with extended shopping hours on Main Street (Caya Betico Croes) during selected holidays and celebrations.
One Cool Honeymoon/One Cool Family
One Cool Family: Families visiting Aruba can take advantage of the OCF
program which offers a family gift, children activities (can vary upon
availability), free accommodations and daily breakfast for kids under
12 years old when sharing with one or two full paying adults.
One
Cool Honeymoon: Couples honeymooning in Aruba can be part of the OCH
program and will receive a free bottle of champagne upon arrival, a
souvenir gift, and a free night upon return on their anniversary visit.
JANUARY/FEBRUARY
January 1: New Year’s Day
This
official holiday commences with a traditional midnight display of
fireworks and firecrackers. Groups of musicians called “Dande” stroll
from house to house singing good-luck greetings for the New Year.
January/February or February/March: Carnival
During
the month before Lent, the entire island participates in festive street
parades with colorful costumes and floats, music and dancing, contests,
and the election of the Carnival Queen. The final event is the Grand
Parade, an all-day celebration held in the streets of Oranjestad on the
Sunday before Ash Wednesday. For additional information and activity
schedule contact “Stichting Arubaanse Carnival” (SAC) by phone (297)
582-4214; fax (297) 588-2964 or visit the website www.sacaruba.org
January 25: Official Holiday in Memory of G.F. “Betico” Croes
A
celebration honoring the Aruban political leader who was instrumental
in attaining Aruba’s “Status Aparte” from Holland, introduced Aruba’s
own currency and established Aruba’s national anthem and flag.
MARCH
Aruba International Half–Marathon (21 KM)
For more information, please write or call
I.D.E.F.R.E. at J.G.
Emanstraat, Oranjestad.
Tel: (297) 582-4987; fax (297) 583-6478,
e-mail: idefre@setarnet.aw or e-mail:idefre@hotmail.com
March 18: National Anthem and Flag Day
On this official holiday, the Plaza Betico
Croes in Oranjestad is the site of a traditional
celebration that features the display of flags,
national music and folkloric events.
APRIL
Garage Centraal Extravaganza Drag Race
International competitors compete in a drag
race event organized by The Boss Racing
Foundation held at Aruba International
Raceway Park at San Nicolas. Contact Juan
Werleman at tel (297) 585-5716 or 562-8818.
E-mail:juanwerleman@yahoo.com Website:
www.aruba-drag.com
International 10 km Boulevard Race
For more information, please write or call
I.D.E.F.R.E. at J.G. Emanstraat, Oranjestad.
Tel: (297) 582-4987, fax (297) 583-6478.
April 30: Queen’s Day
Official holiday honoring Queen Beatrix of
the Netherlands, celebrated with ceremonies,
national music and sporting events.
MAY
Labor Day
Official Holiday
Ascension Day
Official Holiday.
Aruba Food Wine & Art Festival:
Annual wine and food tasting event featuring
a pastry extravaganza with invited famous
chefs plus a tribute to a famous band to
conclude the event. For information contact
Franz Sydow at Tel: (297) 586-4466 ext 2104,
fax (297) 586-9286 or e-mail franz.sydow@westin.com
Aruba Soul Beach Music Festival
A star-studded event held on Memorial Day
Holiday weekend. Past headliners include
Maze, Sean Paul, Chaka Khan, Wycleft
Jean, India Arie, Lauryn Hill and Alicia Keys.
Highlights include comedy nights. Contact
ATA Special Events for more information at
(297) 582-3777.
JUNE
Aruba Hi-Winds
Largest amateur windsurfing event in
the Caribbean held at Fisherman’s Hut
at Hadicurari. Contact Special Events
at ATA at tel (297) 582-3777.
Website:www.aruba-hiwinds.org.
Aruba International Triathlon
An event consisting of a 1.5 km swim, 40 km
bike race and 10 km run. For information or
registration, please contact I.D.E.F.R.E. by
phone (297) 582-4987, fax (297) 583-6478 or
e-mail arubatriathlon@hotmail.com
June 24: Dera Gai (St. John’s Day)
A folkloric celebration with dances and music.
JULY
Aruba Reef Care Project
In this annual environmental awareness project,
community members, certified divers and
visitors participate in a weekend clean-up
program to help preserve the island’s fragile
marine environment. For further information
contact Aruba Tourism Authority at (297) 582-
3777; fax (297) 583-7403.
Youth International Bowling Tournament
Eagle Bowling Palace. For more information,
please call (297) 582-6443; fax (297) 583-
7403.
AUGUST
Aruba International Pro-Am Golf Tournament
Professional and Amateur golfers team up
in this annual tournament that includes gifts,
prizes, special events and parties. Contact
Tierra del Sol by phone (297) 586-7800; fax
(297) 583-6310.
August/September: One Cool Summer
Nationals to take place at the International
Raceway Palo Marga. For further information
contact Juan Werleman at The Boss Racing
Foundation at (297) 585-5716.
E-mail: juanwerleman@yahoo.com
Website: www.aruba-drag.com
Turibana to Santa Cruz 10k Race
Open road race that starts at 6:00 am from the
bakery of Panaderia del Campo in Noord and
finishes at the Betico Croes Sports Complex in
Santa Cruz. Registration starts August 1, 2007.
Contact IDEFRE Tel: (297) 582-4987 or Fax:
(297) 583-6478. E-mail: idefre@setarnet.aw or
idefre@hotmail.com for additional information
or registration.
SEPTEMBER
Ultimatebet.com Aruba Poker Classic &
Blackjack Tournament
A no limit Texas Hold ’em poker tournament
that brings together people from all over the
world to compete for millions of dollars. Prior
celebrity participants included Ben Affleck,
Jennifer Tilly and Scott Ian. The tournament
will take place at the Radisson Aruba Resort
and Casino.
Caribbean Sea Jazz Festival
Annual outdoor festival held at Cas di Cultura
featuring international and local musicians.
Contact the Entertainment Group nv at tel
(297) 588-0211. E-mail: info@theegrouparuba.
com. Website: www.caribbeanseajazz.com
OCTOBER
Aruba Music Festival
Internationally known musical artists perform
in Aruba. Past headliners have included Pat
Benatar, Chicago and Crosby, Stills and Nash,
Jackson Browne, John Mayer, Lionel Richie and
Styx. For more information, please call ATA
Special Events at (297) 582-3777.
Balashi Beer Finals Super Finas Drag Races
International drag race held at Palo Marga
International Raceway in San Nicolas.
Contact: Juan Werleman at The Boss Racing
Foundation at tel (297) 585-5716. E-mail:
juanwerleman@yahoo.com Website: www.
aruba-drag.com
NOVEMBER
Aruba Beach Tennis International
Championships
Aruba is among the first to host an international
tournament in the new sport of beach tennis.
This competition is held on Eagle Beach.
Contact: Sjoerd de Vries at tel (297) 593-6512
or Aruba Tennis (297) 583-7074.
E-mail: sjoerd@tennisaruba.com
Website: www.arubabeachtennis.com
Aruba Heineken Catamaran Regata
An annual international catamaran regatta
competition with colorful sails of catamarans
from Europe. For information call ATA Special
Events Department at (297) 582-3777
Tourist workshop by Aruban
painter Gustave Nouel
Series of painting workshops given by Aruba’s
international painter Gustave Nouel showing
you the basics of painting and how to explore
the secrets of mixing colors in a harmonious
way. For information and registration contact
Multi Media at Tel: (297) 583-9039/ Fax: (297)
583-0102 or e-mail info@multimedia.aw
DECEMBER
December 5: Saint Nicolas Day
A holiday celebrating the birthday of
Saint Nicolas, who traditionally arrives at
Paardenbaai Harbor just before his birthday
to greet the children of Aruba and reward
them with gifts for their good behavior.