The Kingdom of the Netherlands retains Aruba as a constituent nation. The Kingdom retains the authority of Aruba’s foreign affairs and national defense, while the Aruban government retains control of all internal affairs, including laws, policies, and currency. Aruba’s population is over 110,000 people, with over 90 different nationalities represented. Some of this diversity may be observed in the number of languages spoken by the ordinary Aruban, which often includes Dutch, Papiamento’s native tongue, English, and Spanish. The Aruban people have a prosperous economy, and Aruba has a very low unemployment rate because of the tourism sector and an outstanding education system.
San Nicolas, Aruba’s “Sunrise City,” is a beautiful coastal town home to galleries, vibrant street art, and the heart of the island’s growing art scene.
Alternatively, come to the weekly Bon Bini Festival to hear the lively sounds of steel drums and calypso. Arubans are dancing, celebrating, and delighted to share their rich culture with you around every corner. The Carnival is Aruba’s greatest celebration of the year, with infectious music and an energizing mood. Our Carnival is a month-long high-energy festival of pageants, music competitions, street celebrations, and breathtaking parades that delights and unites the entire country.
The catchy road march and calypso melodies, the thumping sound trucks, the sparkling costumes, the beautiful floats, the Carnival queen coronations, and the hip-shaking craziness are what residents look forward to all year. Carnival is a pre-Lenten event enjoyed in many nations across the world, but here’s how it all started in Aruba. As a succession of tiny street celebrations, Carnival began in 1954. In February 1944, the Tivoli Club, Aruba’s oldest private social club, was the first in Oranjestad to have a pre-Lenten celebration. A big procession in San Nicolas honored the Allied victory in World War II, which was primarily made up of Caribbean-English immigrants who came to work at the Lago Oil Refinery. A few years later, the first steel and brass bands appeared, and little parades sprouted up here and there.
The first public Aruba Carnival with the first official Carnival queen was held in 1955, bringing together numerous groups and districts. In 1957, the first Grand Parades were held. Stichting Arubaanse Carnaval, the organizational body for Carnival, was formed on November 11, 1966, at 11:11 a.m. Every year, on 11 November at 11:11 am, the Carnival season officially begins. Tivoli has been staging the Lighting Parade, a glittering evening spectacular, since 1981. Thousands of participants and onlookers enjoy the Lighting Parade, as well as the Children’s Parades, the Jouvert Morning Pajama Party, the Grand Carnival Parade in San Nicolas, and the thrilling.
Grand Carnival Parade in Oranjestad. On Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday, a life-size effigy of King Momo is burned at midnight, signaling the conclusion of the Aruba Carnival season. This custom represents the burning of the Carnival Spirit, who will rise anew when the following season arrives.
Visit the island during the Aruba Carnival season if you want to see a vibrant celebration unlike any other. During Carnival in Aruba, you will be able to witness directly the vibrant spirits of our local community. You’ll understand why Aruba is the happiest island on the planet after you see the unique costumes and hear the catchy music.