One happy party: experience Carnival in Aruba
- claudia61869
- 5 days ago
- 5 min read
What is Carnival all about and why is it important in Aruba
Carnival is the most anticipated celebration in Aruba, bringing friend's, family and even people from around the world to join in the fun.
source by: Radisson Blu Aruba
It’s a vibrant Celebration with colorful costumes and dazzling extravagant parades, blending in with upbeat music like soca and calypso.
Carnival is very important in Aruba because it showcases the history, identity and joyful pride of the community, where you would see locals dancing expressing their happiness and creativity in the Parades.
So… when does the fun start in Aruba?
Carnival is a long month celebration starting from January ending until mid February
Lasting for several weeks as carnival approaches the vibes in Aruba slowly starts to change to a more upbeat and even funner atmosphere.
source by: Aruba.com
Since it is a peak Carnival season, the traffic may be more busier then usual since everyone is preparing for Carnival. Remember to grab your chairs sun block and an ice juk if you’re gonna be sitting on the sideline to watch the parades.
Here are the exact dates for the most watched and attending parades:
A. Starting January 3rd: fakkel
B. End of January 31st: children's Parade in Noord
C. Starting February 1st: children’s Parade in Oranjestad
D. February 7th: Aruba’s Grand lighting Parade in Oranjestad
E. February 8th: children's Parade in San Nicolas
F. February 12th: lighting Parade in San Nicolas
G. February 14th: Aruba’s Carnival Parade 72 in San Nicolas
H. February 15th: Aruba’s 72 grand Carnival Parade in Oranjestad
Tips for attending Carnival
Remember to come early so you can secure a spot before the Carnival starts and bring chairs so you can sit back and watch the parade peacefully.
If you’re gonna watch the parade during the daytime bring lightweight clothes and ensure to apply sun screen to be protected from the sun. Bring an umbrella to get some shade and remember to stay hydrated because it can get very hot before and while the parade started.
Respect the local traditions and follow the rules for safety precautions so that you can enjoy the parade safely.
Wear some fun color's and accessories so that you feel included in the Carnival vibes, you can also do some colorful makeup or face painting even if you’re watching from the sideline.
Source by:arubatoday.com
Carnival Aruba compared to other Caribbean Carnival
If this is your first time experiencing Carnival, Aruba would be perfect for first timer's.
It’s more intimate and relaxed a perfect blend for bringing friend’s and family if you’re in a larger group without feeling lost in a big crowd.
Aruba’s Carnival is very welcoming for visitors, it’s energetic but still easy to follow along and to watch the parades with lots of viewing spots.
Music you’ll hear at Carnival Aruba
Tumba is a signature music of Aruba’s Carnival, its a energetic music. It is very important for the locals because each year there is a competition, where they would choose a Tumba song of the year where it will be played during the parades.
The other most popular music is called Soca\ Roadmarch, its a high energetic, fast paced music that will keep the vibes of the parades hyped up while everyone is having a blast it’s a music that keeps everyone dancing non stop. Remember to bring comfortable shoes if you like to dance allot.
Calypso is also another popular music in the parades but it is a more slower melodic than soca and tumba often with clever and meaningful lyrics about the culture.
Calypso is more of a story telling music and it shows the side of the Carnival where visitors can connect and understand the Aruban history.
Source by: Boardwalk Aruba
Bring headphones and earplugs if you have sensitive ears because the music will be loud during the parades.
Research in advance to see which group you would like the vibes more and costumes to join in. Many groups have social media and website where you can see when they announce the price's, the look of the costume and when you can pick it up.
Stay updated on which number your group is when its their turn to start going on the road when the parade starts.
source by: Tafi Travel Agency
Buy accessories like feathers, rhinestones, beads and hot glue because the group provides only the costume they will not decorate it for you or you can look for a store or someone that does decorate the costume for you, but i advice to book in advance so you can have a spot secured and have your costume ready to wear.
The groups will provide a bathroom and an open bar on a truck during the carnival, but you can bring a bottle so they can fill it up for you. Have fun and learn a few soca moves so you can be extra prepared.
Capture the colors of Carnival Aruba
During the Grand and Lighting parades the people are often happy to pose with you, if you kindly ask for a picture with them in their costumes.
Remember to still snap a picture with them with a big smile.
You can also capture videos of you and your family dancing during the parades you can also interview some Carnivalist during the parade and capture a video of them dancing with energetic moves with you.
Before, during or after you might find some local restaurants, food venders or food trucks open so you can eat and buy drinks during the parades so you can have food and drinks on the go. For snacks they would most likely be selling pastechi,a savory fried pastry that can be filled with cheese, chicken or beef.
source by: Aruba.com
You can also find foods like burgers with fries and some hot dogs make sure to buy some,
so you’re belly can stay filled. Buy drinks so you can stay hydrated with some cold drinks.
First-timer's mistakes to avoid
Avoid waiting for long hours before the Carnivals starts. Make sure you’re updated with the time that it starts
Be prepared to see if they updated the Carnival schedule’s and make sure you have a transportation like a taxi’s or a car rental. Incase you are with a car rental park it somewhere safely so your car can be intact when the parade end's.
Aruba Carnival: Joy, Culture, and Care for nature
Aruba’s Carnival shows we that culture and nature can thrive together while still being responsible. When we Celebrate not only do we honor the island’s traditions but also the pristine beaches, crystal clear water and unique wild life.
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