Fun and festivities in Aruba - celebrations, festivals and cultural events

Aruba became an island where mixture of various nationalities and religious beliefs took place. Each nation living on the island left its own imprint in the cultural field of the small state. Here, as in other Caribbean countries, a whole mass of holidays are organized and held every year. The original island culture has formed a whole range of interesting celebrations, festivals and social events. Residents of Aruba love and widely organize religious holidays, various official holidays that have state statuses, as well as significant dates in a big way.

At the beginning of December in Aruba, San Nicolas Day is celebrated. This hero became a kind of analogue of Santa Claus. During this time, San Nicolas, which is very popular on the island, makes a landing on the shore and begins to give away gifts and sweets to children. The event is held on the main square of the capital Oranjestad. His assistant, Black Peter, who has become a colorful character, helps San Nicolas in this event. New Year is traditionally celebrated in a very fun and noisy manner. At this time, mass celebrations and fireworks are held on the island. Night beaches become the home of parties with the atmosphere of celebration and fun. Luxury hotels host concerts featuring world class stars. A carnival is organized yearly in February in Aruba, which is dragged on for a day. It starts in the city of San Nicolas, and then Oranjestad picks up the torch. The parade here is accompanied by salsa-style music. An interesting feature of the carnival is that the election and coronation of the queen of the carnival are held in San Nicolas, and the funeral ceremony of the king of the carnival takes place in the capital. His statue is burnt in a large fire.

In March, the International Half Marathon is being conducted in Aruba. A large number of professional athletes come to the island to take part in the event. In addition to them, tourists can participate in the race. In March, Arubans celebrate the official Flag Day. Sports competitions as well as other entertainment events have become an essential feature of this ceremony. The end of April is marked with the celebration of a festival called Summer Jam. The highpoint of the festival is the performances of orchestras playing jazz music, accompanied by uncontainable fun and a colorful carnival. In April, a bowling tournament of international status is held on the island. Aruba widely celebrates Labor Day on May 1st. Nonetheless, other professions on the island have their own professional holidays celebrated on other dates. The end of May in Aruba is associated with the conduction of a music festival called Soul Beach. It begins on Memorial Day. The festival is conducted for five days, and includes a whole series of concerts and performances of musical groups singing trance and R&B music. Multiple night parties in all entertainment clubs are timed to the execution of the festival. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Summer in Aruba marks the opening of the International Film Festival. During the week there is a competitive program where guests and participants of the festival demonstrate the work of various directors from all over the world. St. John’s day is celebrated on the 24th of June. It is accompanied by a number of performances of musical groups and competitions, when the dancers are blindfolded and offered to knock a special vessel with a stick. During the celebrations, the participants burn bonfires and hold the ceremony titled “the burial of the rooster”. Previously, the unfortunate bird was indeed buried, but nowadays the ceremony is being held without an actual funeral.

At the end of the first summer month, the island hosts a Harvest Festival. The highlight of this event is the pumpkin’s funeral. This gloomy act became a symbol of the link between death and rebirth. This tradition has been around for many years already. Also at this time in Aruba, international triathlon and racing windsurfing competitions are held, in which both professional windsurfers and beginners partake. Sports festivals are presented in Aruba by the Pro-Am international golf tournament conducted in August.

The “Heineken Catamaran Regatta” is being organized in Aruba from the onset of November. This international catamaran race gathers together crowds of tourists and fans on the beaches. There are two races a day, each of which lasts about two hours. Fighters for the purity of the surrounding nature organize a reef protection day. On this day, many activists and people who simply care, come and clean the beaches of debris. The process is voluntary, but the volunteers round up to 1000 people. In October, the Open Golf Championship is held in Aruba. Athletes from all over the world come to participate in it. Spectators and a lot of fans also gather.