The Aruba calendar is filled not only with traditional holiday celebrations but also with international tournaments, caribbean festival , competitions, regattas and sporting events; film, art, food and music festivals, and other cultural events. It reflects the island's treasured heritage and multi-cultural history and also the elements that attract hundreds of thousands of tourists.

Carnival is a thrilling show of over-the-top pageantry, brilliant costumes and fantastic music. It is a fun-filled season that begins on November 11 at 11:11 am when the Prime Minister symbolically turns the country over to the Prince and Pancho, and formally ends before Good Friday with the burning of the King Momo effigy. The months in-between are filled with contests and jump-ups. The two final weekends feature the Pajama Parade in San Nicolas and the Lighting Parade in Oranjestad. Grand daytime parades shut down Aruba's two cities.

Do check the 2012 calendar to see all that is happening during your stay.