Curacao Gears Up for Karnaval Season

The island of Curacao is gearing up for a celebration unlike any other around the Caribbean.

The year’s biggest festival, Karnaval, will begin January 2, 2008, engulfing the island with local dance, costumes, food and entertainment. Karnaval builds to its zenith with the Grand Parade on February 3 and culminates with the Grand Farewell Parade on February 5.

From its origins as a jubilant street celebration among slaves, Curacao’s Karnaval has evolved into a month-long cultural mash-up conjunction of colorful Dutch, Asiatic, Creole and Caribbean traditions.

As forts, clubs, restaurants and bars burst to life with the Karnaval spirit, Karnaval groups meet in secrecy to finalize dazzling, elaborate costumes for the Grand Parade. With costumes that can cost over $1,000 and team names like “The Jumping Heads” and “Crazy Diamonds,” these groups travel the Parade Route vying for the honor of best dressed.