The 411 on the Biggest Events of Carnival 71
Aruba’s biggest party season is upon us and Chill, the official beer of Carnival 71, is your partner in all things Carnival! Over the next few weeks, an exciting array of events unfold, each endearing and an important part of the recipe that makes Aruba’s Carnival one of the best in the world. While many events and parades have been a part of Aruba’s Carnival traditions for generations, over recent years the calendar of events has evolved, offering new colorful twists and turns for the island and our visitors to enjoy.
Here's a breakdown of some of the calendar highlights and can’t-miss events.
Super Soca Saturday (Feb 8 at 7pm)
Music is the language and how Carnival gets its groove on. Although there are numerous music events and competitions, Super Soca Saturday is the largest of them all and where the Caiso and Soca songs that will drive Carnival 71 down the road are debuted. Those tunes that prove to be the judges’ favorites, or more likely the crowd favorites, are adopted and added to the repertoire of our Carnival bands and keep everyone dancing in the parades and on the roadside.
The competition used to take place much closer to the grand parades but is now scheduled earlier, allowing more time to enjoy Carnival's newest songs.
Chill Tip: The competition starts at 7pm, however goes into the wee hours, sometimes beyond 3am. If you want to be there when the winners are announced, prepare for a long night or time your arrival for later in the evening.
Jouvert Morning (Feb 15 at 3am)
Known as the party of the people and also affectionately known as the “pajama party” because of its 3am start time, this is the island’s biggest jump-up. It’s a parade where you can jump in and jump out…and jump back in again, as music trucks prowl the San Nicolas streets, luring revelers to jump behind and join the fun.
Chill Tip: Hang in there, even though it’s way past your bedtime! At the end of the route, there’s fresh, hot Johnny Cakes and other iconic island treats that make a tasty end to this crazy night (or should we say morning) of fun. Watching the sunrise with several thousand friends is also pretty cool!
Noord Sunset Parade (Feb 19 at 7pm)
One of the newer events on the Carnival schedule is the Sunset Parade held in Noord. It’s organized much like Fakkel (the kickoff parade of the Carnival season), with various Carnival groups charging a nominal amount to participate and includes a themed tee-shirt and open bar.
Chill Tip: This is a great parade for newbies to have their first experience being a part of a Carnival group and dancing down the road without the financial commitment of a costume. The parade route is not quite as long as some of the other parades.
Grand Lighting Parade/Oranjestad (Feb 22 at 8pm)
Attracting crowd sizes similar to the Grand Parades, Oranjestad’s Lighting Parade is a glamorous spectacle of sequins, feathers, and colorful lights. Months of work on costumes and road pieces finally make their debut in this first parade featuring a full-on Carnival experience.
Chill Tip: If you are not a late-night person, find a spot on the side of the road at the beginning of the parade in Dakota or along the Vonderlaan stretch. If you are on the main boulevard approaching Renaissance, it could be well past midnight by the time the parade arrives in this area.
Lighting Parade/San Nicolas (Feb 27 at 8pm)
This nighttime lighting parade is more about the party than the spectacle. You won’t find elaborate costumes, but you will find one of Carnival’s most chill vibes emitted through the streets of San Nicolas.
Chill Tip: If you don’t want to drag a cooler along, find a spot on the roadside near one of the bars along the route so you can easily step in and grab an ice-cold Chill. The bars in San Nicolas are famous for dialing in their fridges to that perfect temperature just before freezing…so refreshing!
Grand Parade/San Nicolas 22 (March 1 at 11am)
It’s a vibe you can’t quite put a finger on—a feeling of community, of one family and of love. This parade is indeed grand in scale but even grander in heart. Many locals prefer this first of the two grand parades where the streets are narrower and you can practically feel the swish of the plumes of feathers as gorgeous costumes go by.
Chill Tip: The San Nicolas parade is often where many of the larger costumes and road pieces make their first appearance. Find a spot on the roadside near the beginning of the parade route and you’ll see these costumes at their freshest, finest, and in their full glory.
Grand Parade/Oranjestad (March 2 at 11am)
This is it! This is where we leave it all on the road! Adrenaline is in overdrive as paraders like their wounds (aka bandaging blisters) and rally to dance along the miles-long parade route in a culmination of all things great in Carnival 71. Locals and visitors pack the roadside, creating their own mini parties with family and friends.
Chill Tip: Pack a cooler full of ice-cold Chill, as well as plenty of Dasani water, Powerade, delicious Coke products, and some snacks. Once the parade reaches your area, it’s difficult to exit and try to find refreshments. And don’t forget the sunscreen!