It’s Carnival season in Aruba – keep on reading to find out the Aruba Carnival dates 2018.

Aruba Carnival Dates 2018

This schedule covers the dates for all the mayor carnival events.

January 6 – Torch Parade in Oranjestad – 8:00 PM
January 14 – Balloon Parade in San Nicolas – 2:00 PM
January 19 – Children & Youth Queen Election – Entertainment Center – 7:00 PM
January 20 – Tumba Contest – Aruba Entertainment center – 8:00 PM
January 21 – Children Calypso & Road March Contest – Carnival Village – 6:00 PM
January 22 – Pre Finals Caiso & Soca Monarch – Carnival Village – 7:00 PM
January 26 – Carnival Queen & Mrs. Carnival Election – in Oranjestad – 7:00 PM
January 27 – Children’s Parade in Noord – 2:00 PM
January 27 – Final Caiso & Soca Monarch – Carnival Village – 7:00 PM
January 28 – Transfer of command – Government Main Office – 10:00 AM
January 28 – Grand Children’s Carnival Parade in Oranjestad – 2:00 PM
February 1 – Hebbe Hebbe Fest – Parkinglot Post Office oranjestad – 8:00 PM
February 3 – Jouvert Morning & Pyjama Party in San Nicolas – 4:00 am
February 3 – Aruba’s Grand Lighting Parade in Oranjestad – 8:00 PM
February 4 – Grand Children’s Parade in San Nicolas – 2:00 PM
February 4 – Buring of Momito at Carnival Village in San Nicolas – 7:30 PM
February 8 – Lighting Parade in San Nicolas – 8:00 PM
February 10 – Grand Carnival Parade in San Nicolas – 12:00 AM
February 11 – 64th Grand Carnival Parade in Oranjestad – 12:00 AM
February 11 – Burning of King Momo (ending of Grand Parade) 7:30 PM

Aruba’s carnival is a must experience!

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Carnival History in Aruba

The roots of Carnival in Aruba can be traced all the way back to the 1920’s.

It all started when social clubs organized private costume and masquerade parties.

In 1955 the first grand parade was organized for the public in the downtown area.

Aruba’s carnival has grown leaps and bounds since that first parade.

Aruba’s 64th Carnival

Aruba is known for its beautiful beaches and sunny weather, but carnival brings thousands of visitors to the island for the experience.

If you’ve never been to Aruba before, you should plan to visit during carnival season. Because, it’s a perfect way to get a feel for what Aruba has to offer.

You get to experience sensational musical events, queen elections and different parades.

The parades go through the main streets of Oranjestad and San Nicolas featuring spectacular display of majestic designed costumes, participants dancing to the rhythm of local music and a great ambiance by the public who know how to keep a party going.

Carnival is an integrated and important part of the islands cultural heritage. It’s the largest cultural festival on the island!

However, it’s not only a time of celebration, but it’s also a way of breaking away from the daily toils of life and enjoying.

Aruba’s carnival is known around the world for being an unique and safe event.

Everyone is invited and allowed to participate.

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Are you looking for all of the dates for this years Aruba carnival season? Well, this is the ultimate Aruba Carnival Schedule 2017.

Aruba Carnival Schedule 2017

Carnival in Aruba is one of the most liked seasons in Aruba.

This year is the 63rd edition of carnival in Aruba.

In this carnival schedule you will be able to see all the…

Carnival events
Date & time
And the location, venue or route of all the parades

Here’s what’s going on…

14 January – Prins & Pancho

On this day the key to Aruba’s carnival will be given to a selected Prince & Pancho (an Aruban name for two young men who open all carnival parades).

This event promises to be full of laughter, because all participants have to entertain the crowd with a show about Aruba’s carnival in a funny way.

So you will be hearing jokes and see hilarious costumes throughout the night.

Time: 7:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Venue: Aruba Entertainment Center in Oranjestad.

15 January – Balloon Parade

Balloon parade is a children parade in San Nicolas.

You will be seeing kids wearing cute costumes. There will be colorful balloons. Watch them jam and dance to music.

Aruba’s balloon parade promises to be a beautiful display of our children in Aruba.

If you happen to have kids take them here!

Time – 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Route – Joe Laveist Sport Park – Pastoor Hendrickstraat – Caya Dick Cooper – Caya Captain R. Rodge – Lagoweg – Berhardstraat – Vuylestekestraat – Pastoor Hendrickstraat – Joe Laveist Sport Park.

31 January – Pre-Final Caiso & Soca Monarch

This is the biggest music festival during Aruba’s carnival season.

The islands best musicians battle each other live on stage on this day and for 2 other consecutive nights (1-2 February) at pre-finals.

The winner will be elected on 4 February at the Grand Final Caiso & Soca Monarch.

What can you expect at this event?

The best local foods and snacks. The newest carnival music. And amazing ambience.

Time Pre-Finals: 8:00 PM – 12:00 PM
Time Grand Final: 8:00 PM – 3:00 AM
Location: Carnival Village

4 February Children’s Parade in Noord

The children’s parade feature kids from schools, social clubs and also cute babies wearing different themed costumes.

Expect to see vibrant colored balloons, adornments and road pieces.

Time 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Route: Bubali Commercial Center to Centro Di Bario Noord

10 February – Queen & Mrs Carnival Election

This is the night the Queen of Aruba’s carnival will be elected.

Her role on this day forward is to lead all carnival parades. And she also has the duty to represent Aruba abroad during the entire year.

Time: 8:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Venue: Aruba Entertainment Center

12 February – Grand Children’s Parade in Oranjestad

The grand children’s parade is a bigger version of the children’s parade in Noord. In this parade you will notice more children, more groups and it will be prettier.

Time: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Route: Avenida Milo Croes – Vondellaan – LG Smith Boulevard – Adriaan Lacle Boulevard – Wilhelminastraat

16 February – Hebbe Hebbe

Hebbe Hebbe is a go to event if you like to party at night.

You can expect to hear Aruba’s best carnival tunes.

There will be local snacks, drinks and great vibes available all in one place.

Time:8:00 PM – 1:00 AM
Location: Central Post Office in Oranjestad

18 February – Jouvert Morning

Jouvert morning is the only parade during midnight (and morning) hours.

The carnival event is only for those who can get up during midnight.

The dress-code on this morning is definitely pajamas!

Time: 4:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Route: Joe Laveist Sport Park, Pastoor Hendrikstraat – Caya Dick Cooper – Caya Captain H. Rodger – Lagoweg – Bernhardstraat – Vuylestekestraat – Pastoor Hendrikstraat – ends at Joe Laveist Sport Park

18 February – Grand Lightning Parade

Want to see spectacular artwork made of lights? Go to the lightning parade.

This carnival parade promises amazing artwork on the costumes of carnival groups. All the carnival music trucks are decorated with TV screens and disco like lights.

Lightning parade is going to be a night to remember after this years carnival season.

Time: 8:00 PM – 2:00AM
Location: Oranjestad, starting at the roundabout from Wendy’s – L. G. Smith Blvd. – Vondellaan and it ends at Banco di Caribe.

19 February – Grand Children’s Parade in San Nicolas

If you enjoyed the children’s parade in Noord. Or happen to miss out on it – this would be your chance to see it again.

Time: 2:00 PM -18.00 PM
Route: Joe Laveist Sport Park, Pastoor Hendrikstraat – Caya Dick Cooper – Caya Captain H. Rodger – Lagoweg – Bernhardstraat – Vuylestekestraat – Pastoor Hendrikstraat – Lagoweg – ends at Carnival Village

19 February – Burning of Momito

On this night a scarecrow like mannequin will be burned.

This is an traditional act every year in Aruba during carnival in Aruba. Marking the end of the children carnival parade and the carnival season until now.

Time: 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Location – Carnival Village

24 February – Lightning Parade in San Nicolas

If you enjoyed the lightning parade in Oranjestad. Or happen to miss the lightning show – you can see it again on this night.

Time: 8:00 PM – 2:00 AM
Route: Joe Laveist Sport Park, Pastoor Hendrikstraat – Caya Dick Cooper – Caya Captain H. Rodger – Lagoweg – Bernhardstraat – Dr. Schaepmanstraat – Pastoor Hendrikstraat – ends at Joe Laveist Sport Park

25 February Carnival in San Nicolas

This parade is one of the two biggest parades during the carnival season in Aruba.

On this day you will see all carnival groups doing their best to show off there costumes, road pieces and dance moves.

Time: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Route: Joe Laveist Sport Park, Pastoor Hendrikstraat – Caya Dick Cooper – Caya Captain H. Rodger – Lagoweg – Bernhardstraat – Dr. Schaepmanstraat – Pastoor Hendrikstraat – ends at Joe Laveist Sport Park

26 February – Aruba’s Grand Parade

This is the parade that you can’t miss out on. It’s going to be the biggest carnival parade in the Aruba carnival schedule 2017.

This event boasts the best tunes, costumes and the best carnival vibes.

If you could only go to one event during Aruba’s carnival season – it’s this one!

Time: 11:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Route: Starts at roundabout Wendy’s – L. G. Smith Blvd. – Vondellaan – ends at Banco di Caribe

26 February Burning Of King Momo

It is our culture and way of life to say good bye to yet another carnival season by burning the one and only King Momo.

Time: 8:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Venue: Harbour Arena, Oranjestad

27 February Carnival Monday

After more than a month of carnival your body needs at-least a full day to rest. This is the one day locals get to rest and restore the energy lost during the dancing, mingling with friends and family in Aruba’s hot sunny weather.

Did you enjoy this Aruba carnival schedule 2017?

If so please share it with your family, friends and social media.

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