| Date (2027) | Parade | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| January 9 | Torch Parade | First big date of the season |
| January 17 | Fantasy Parade | |
| January 23 | Children's Parade, Noord | |
| January 24 | Children's Parade, Oranjestad | |
| January 29 | Masquerade Parade | |
| January 30 | Jouvert Morning | Pajama party in the morning |
| January 30 | Aruba's Grand Lighting Parade | Night parade with lights |
| January 31 | Children's Parade, San Nicolas | |
| February 4 | Lighting Parade, San Nicolas | |
| February 6 | Grand Parade, San Nicolas | |
| February 7 | Grand Parade, Oranjestad | Season finale, largest parade |
The tourism board's schedule gives the parade names and dates but no start times or routes, so check the official calendar closer to your dates.
How the season works
Carnival in Aruba grew out of small street festivals in 1954; the first public Carnival, run by clubs and districts, was held in 1955 and crowned the first official queen. Steel and brass bands followed soon after, and by 1957 the Grand Parades were a fixture. The organizing foundation, Stichting Arubaanse Carnaval, was founded on November 11, 1966, which is why the season opens each year at 11:11 am on 11/11.
Two parades matter most for a visitor. The Lighting Parade is a night parade whose floats and costumes carry thousands of small lights; the company Tivoli has produced it since 1981, and the San Nicolas version is smaller than the Oranjestad one. The Grand Parade in Oranjestad is the finale, with music, floats and elaborate costumes. The season ends on Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday, with the midnight burning of King Momo, a life-size effigy.
January or February?
- If you want the full build-up: January, with seven dates, from the Torch Parade to the children's parades (see Aruba in January).
- If you want the biggest parades: the first week of February: Lighting Parade in San Nicolas on February 4, then the Grand Parades on February 6 and 7 (see Aruba in February).
- If you only have a weekend: the weekend of February 6 and 7 gives you a Grand Parade on each day, in two towns.
Both months are in the dry season, with about 1.0 inch of rain in January and 0.8 inch in February.
Getting to the parades
The Oranjestad parade is in the capital: staying in town keeps you on foot or on the tram (see where to stay in Oranjestad and Oranjestad). San Nicolas is on the southeast side, far from the resort strips: a taxi from the airport to San Nicolas is $45. To Oranjestad a taxi is $16 from Eagle Beach and $22 from Palm Beach, plus $5 on Sundays and at night; February 7, 2027 is a Sunday (Visit Aruba, read 6 November 2026). San Nicolas is also the island's Art District, with murals that you can see on a walk (see San Nicolas).
Where to stay for Carnival
Palm Beach has the resorts and nightlife; Eagle Beach is quieter; Oranjestad puts you next to the Grand Parade. See Palm Beach vs Eagle Beach. We publish no hotel prices for the Carnival weekends; compare your dates in the hotel box and book early, since these are the dates the island's visitors plan around.
Typical mistakes
- Planning to see the Grand Parade in January: it is in February.
- Mixing up the two Grand Parades: San Nicolas on the 6th, Oranjestad on the 7th.
- Staying on a resort strip and expecting to walk to a parade.
- Forgetting the Sunday taxi surcharge on February 7.
FAQ
When is Aruba Carnival in 2027?
The season opens on November 11 at 11:11 am; the Grand Parades are on February 6 in San Nicolas and February 7 in Oranjestad.
What is the biggest Carnival parade in Aruba?
The Grand Carnival Parade in Oranjestad, the season finale.
What is Jouvert?
A pajama party in the morning of January 30, the day of the Grand Lighting Parade.
How does Carnival end?
With the midnight burning of King Momo on Shrove Tuesday.
Aruba Authority editorial team, 7 November 2026.
