Aruba’s Carnival illustrates the boundless creativity, initiative, imagination, and joie de vivre of the Aruban people and reflects a unique mingling of European and African cultures. Aruba’s Carnival is a thrilling show of over-the-top pageantry that unites and delights the country year after year.
Born from a combination of influences, including the establishment of social club parties starting in the 1920s and the Carnival traditions that British Caribbean immigrants brought to the streets of San Nicolas in the ‘30 and ‘40s, Aruba’s Carnival is one of the most exciting and renowned Carnival celebrations in the Caribbean today.
Music is at the heart of celebrations, with steelpan, brass bands, calypso, soca, and tumba all finding their groove throughout Aruba’s months-long Carnival season.
Intricately decorated costumes boasting colorful plumes of feathers, dazzling gems and sequence, and bigger-than-life floats bring splendor and grandeur to the parades. Aruba’s 70th Carnival was celebrated this year, with the milestone anniversary bringing out an extra dose of revelry to all the events and parades.
The Carnival experience lives all year long in Aruba and can easily be incorporated into your group’s itinerary.
Aruba’s talented local musicians and performers bring the magic of Carnival to events year-round. Nothing oozes Caribbean charm like steelpan music serenading your guests at a festive welcome party on the beach, while a brass band will certainly kick off any function with fantastic energy. Carnival dancers are some of the most requested entertainment groups, wowing with spectacular costumes curated from past Carnivals, and engaging your group to jump-up and join the fun with easy-to-follow Carnival dances.
The Aruba Convention Bureau is happy to assist with bringing Aruba’s beloved Carnival to life and creating authentic experiences and memories for your group.