Aruban folklore at Fort Zoutman
Please note: the Bon Bini Festival is currently on hold and no restart date has been announced (status September 2026). Fort Zoutman itself is open to visitors.
"Bon bini" means "welcome" in Papiamento, and for decades the Bon Bini Festival was exactly that: a weekly welcome to Aruban culture. Every Tuesday evening the courtyard of Fort Zoutman in Oranjestad filled with visitors and locals for an evening of music, dance and food.
What the festival offered
- Folkloric dance groups in colourful costumes
- Live music, including steel band and traditional Aruban music
- Local dishes and drinks
- Handmade arts and crafts from Aruban artisans
Fort Zoutman
Fort Zoutman is the oldest building on the island. Together with the Willem III Tower it houses the Historical Museum of Aruba, where you can learn about the island's colonial past. It is worth a visit even while the festival is not taking place.
Other ways to experience Aruban culture
Visit Aruba during Carnival, on National Anthem and Flag Day (18 March), or around New Year's Eve for Dande. For more ideas, see our top 10 cultural experiences in Aruba.
See also: Aruba events throughout the year.
Last updated: September 2026.