Festivals and events throughout the year
Aruba is a year-round destination, and the island's event calendar adds something extra to a beach holiday. From the colourful parades of Carnival to windsurfers at Fisherman's Huts and street art in San Nicolas, these are the events worth planning your trip around. Dates change every year, so always check with the organisers before you book.
January – February: Aruba Carnival
Carnival is the biggest celebration of the year. Weeks of music contests, children's parades, Jouvert Morning, the Lighting Parade and the Grand Parades in San Nicolas and Oranjestad end with the burning of King Momo. In 2027 Carnival Monday falls on 8 February. Read our Aruba Carnival guide.
25 January: Betico Croes Day
A public holiday in honour of Gilberto “Betico” Croes, the father of Aruba’s separate status, with an official ceremony, a cultural evening and a popular 10K run and walk.
18 March: National Anthem and Flag Day
Aruba celebrates its national anthem and flag with a public holiday, cultural performances, folk music and local food. In 2026 the flag and anthem celebrated their 50th anniversary.
27 April: King's Day
Aruba joins the rest of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in celebrating King's Day, a public holiday with festivities around the island.
May: Aruba Hi-Winds
The Caribbean's best-known windsurfing and kitesurfing event has been held since 1987 at Fisherman's Huts, and watching is free. The 2026 edition took place from 13 to 18 May. More about Aruba Hi-Winds.
June: KLM Aruba Marathon
A full marathon, half marathon, 10K and 5K in early June. The 2027 edition is on 5 and 6 June 2027. More about the marathon.
June: music, Pride and Dia di San Juan
- Aruba Summer Music Festival – Latin, hip-hop and pop concerts at resorts in Palm Beach at the end of June.
- Aruba Pride – celebrations at the end of June, with events at several resorts.
- Dia di San Juan (24 June) – traditional music and dance, and the Dera Gai harvest celebrations in the neighbourhoods.
July: Aruba International Regatta
Sailors from Aruba and neighbouring islands race at Surfside Beach in classes ranging from Optimist dinghies to yachts and wing foils. The 16th edition was held from 10 to 12 July 2026. More about the International Regatta.
September: Aruba Art Fair and Restaurant Week
The Aruba Art Fair turns San Nicolas into an open-air gallery with new murals, music and food, and during Restaurant Week Aruba restaurants serve fixed-price three-course menus. More about the Art Fair. Food festivals in Aruba.
October: Autentico Aruba Culinary Festival
A restaurant week with more than 40 restaurants followed by a street festival with top chefs in Oranjestad; in 2026 from 3 to 11 October. Read more.
November: Beach Tennis Open and the start of Carnival
Aruba is a hotspot for beach tennis, and the international Aruba Beach Tennis Open at Eagle Beach attracts top players every November; check the tournament website for exact dates. On 11 November the new Carnival season opens.
December: Sinterklaas, Christmas and Dande
The holiday season brings Sinterklaas on 5 December, gaita music, festive food, Dande singers going from house to house and a spectacular New Year’s Eve with pagara firecrackers and fireworks. Christmas and New Year in Aruba.
Golf: International Pro-Am
The Aruba International Pro-Am was traditionally played at Tierra del Sol, which reopened in October 2025 after a major renovation. No date for a new edition has been announced yet. More about the Pro-Am.
Events that no longer take place
- Soul Beach Music Festival – held in Aruba for many years, but since 2025 the festival takes place in St. Maarten again.
- Caribbean Sea Jazz Festival – the last edition was held in 2018.
- Aruba International Film Festival – no longer organised; the Playa Film Festival is now Aruba's annual film festival.
- Rembrandt Regatta – no longer organised; see the Aruba International Regatta.
- Bon Bini Festival – currently on hold. Latest status.
Last updated: September 2026.