Aruba Kicks Off 55th Carnival Celebration

Aruba has begun the island’s largest month-long party with the 55th annual Carnival celebration, now through Feb. 24. Aruba’s Carnival celebration is a colorful event, during which music and extravagant costumes take center stage.

The month-long festival consists of street parties, festive parades and creative contests for locals and visitors alike. Parties are held in various districts throughout the month, giving everyone the opportunity to participate and dance to Aruba’s most popular brass band, steel band and road march tunes.

The attractions include the Carnival Queen Election on Feb. 6, when Aruba elects the Aruba Carnival Queen. Aruba’s Tivoli Lighting Parade takes place on Feb. 14 in downtown Oranjestad and incorporates thousands of tiny lights into costumes, road pieces and floats, bringing an added dramatic effect to the extravagant display. Feb. 18 marks Aruba’s annual Tourist Night at Paseo Herencia, featuring steel band music and some of the best costumes featured during Carnival.

Carnival’s biggest event is the 55th Grand Carnival Parade, an all-day event, which winds its way down city avenues to the delight of thousands of spectators. The Grand Parade takes place on Feb. 22, and is filled with music and festive floats and costumes, in imaginative designs and decorated with a wide variety of colorful stones and feathers, creating a unique display. The parade starts at 11 a.m. in Oranjestad and continues into the evening hours.