Carnival 2027
Aruba Carnival 2027: Parades & Events
Every carnival event in Aruba for the 2027 season, updated daily, with the official parade dates. The season opened on November 11 at 11:11 am. The parades run from January 9 to the Grand Parades in San Nicolas (Saturday, February 6) and Oranjestad (Sunday, February 7), and carnival ends with the burning of King Momo at midnight on February 9.
No carnival events are listed yet. Carnival groups post their events through the season, and new ones are added daily. See all upcoming events.
Aruba Carnival 2027: parade dates
Wed, Nov 11
Carnival season opens
The season officially opens every year on November 11 at 11:11 am.
Sat, Jan 9
Torch Parade
The first parade of the year.
Sun, Jan 17
Fantasy Parade
Sat, Jan 23
Children's Parade, Noord
The children's carnival groups, in full costume.
Sun, Jan 24
Children's Parade, Oranjestad
Fri, Jan 29
Masquerade Parade
Sat, Jan 30
Jouvert Morning, San Nicolas
The early-morning street party before sunrise. Come in pajamas.
Sat, Jan 30
Grand Lighting Parade, Oranjestad
The night parade, with costumes and floats covered in lights.
Sun, Jan 31
Children's Parade, San Nicolas
Thu, Feb 4
Lighting Parade, San Nicolas
Sat, Feb 6
Grand Parade, San Nicolas
The first of the two Grand Parades, in the Sunrise City.
Sun, Feb 7
Grand Parade, Oranjestad
The biggest parade of the season, through the capital.
Mon, Feb 8
Carnival Monday (public holiday)
An official day off, the day after the Grand Parade.
Tue, Feb 9
Burning of King Momo
At midnight King Momo is burned and carnival is over until next season. Ash Wednesday is February 10.
How Aruba celebrates carnival
Carnival is Aruba's biggest celebration. It started with small street festivals in 1954, and the first public carnival and carnival queen followed in 1955. Today the season runs from November 11 to the night before Ash Wednesday, with carnival groups preparing costumes for months and parades in Noord, Oranjestad and San Nicolas from January.
San Nicolas, the Sunrise City, is the heart of it: Jouvert Morning, its own Lighting Parade and the first Grand Parade all happen there. See San Nicolas nightlife for its bars and street parties the rest of the year.
Tips for parade days
The Grand Parades last most of the day in the sun, so bring water, sunscreen and a hat, and come early for a spot along the route. Roads along the routes close, so plan your taxi or parking ahead. The lighting parades start in the evening, when it is cooler.
After the parade
Bars and clubs keep the carnival going after the parades. For the rest of the night see tonight in Aruba, clubs in Aruba or the Aruba nightlife guide.
Aruba Carnival: questions
When is Aruba Carnival 2027?
The carnival season opened on November 11, 2026 at 11:11 am. The parades run from the Torch Parade on Saturday, January 9, 2027 to the Grand Parade in Oranjestad on Sunday, February 7, and carnival ends with the burning of King Momo at midnight on Tuesday, February 9, the night before Ash Wednesday.
When are the Grand Parades in Aruba?
The Grand Parade in San Nicolas is on Saturday, February 6, 2027, and the Grand Parade in Oranjestad on Sunday, February 7, 2027. They are the biggest days of the season, with the carnival groups in full costume, and they last most of the day.
What is Jouvert Morning in Aruba?
Jouvert (J'ouvert) is the early-morning street party in San Nicolas, before sunrise. People come in pajamas and dance through the streets into the morning. In 2027 it is on Saturday, January 30, the same day as the Grand Lighting Parade in Oranjestad that evening.
What is the Lighting Parade?
A night parade with costumes and floats covered in lights. Aruba's Grand Lighting Parade is in Oranjestad on Saturday, January 30, 2027, and San Nicolas has its own Lighting Parade on Thursday, February 4.
Is Carnival Monday a holiday in Aruba?
Yes. Carnival Monday (Dialuna Carnaval) is an official day off in Aruba. In 2027 it is Monday, February 8, the day after the Grand Parade in Oranjestad.
How old is Aruba's carnival?
Aruba's carnival started with small street festivals in 1954, and the first public carnival, with the first carnival queen, was held in 1955. It has grown into a season of more than two months, with parades in Noord, Oranjestad and San Nicolas.