January
OLD MASK PARADE
An Aruba Carnival Foundation (SAC) sponsored Jump-up (street party) officially initiates ARUBA’S 47th CARNIVAL CELEBRATION. Aruba’s carnival is a collection of joyous festivities that include parades of dancers in colorful costumes, floats and steel and brass bands. Contests are held for best costumes, musicians and singers as well as for the election of the Carnival Queen.

January 1 NEW YEAR’S DAY

Official holiday commencing with the traditional, island-wide display of midnight fireworks that illuminate the skies as Aruba joyfully welcomes the year 2000. Groups of musicians, known as “Dande” stroll from house to house singing good luck greetings for the New Year.

January 25 G.F. (BETICO) CROES DAY
Official holiday in memory of G.F. (Betico) Croes, an Aruban political leader who helped the island attain “Status Aparte” in 1986. With its new status, Aruba was given autonomy from the Netherlands Antilles but remained an entity within the Dutch Kingdom. As a partner in the Dutch Kingdom, Aruba has the right to its own Parliament, police force, currency and national anthem and flag.

February
27th MRS. CARNIVAL ELECTION .

February 9 26TH CHILDREN QUEEN ELECTION .

February 10 CALYPSO & ROADMARCH CONTEST
Begins at 7 p.m. at the Joe Laveist Sports Park .

February 11 CHILDREN’S PARADE SAN NICOLAS
Starts at 2 p.m. in San Nicolas.

February 17 COCOYOCO JAM
Street party, centered in Noord, begins at 4 a.m.

February 17 CHILDREN’S PARADE NOORD
Begins at 1 p.m. in Noord .

February 17 LIGHTING PARADE
Aruba’s oldest social club, Aruba Tivoli Club, organizes a spectacular Lighting Parade through the streets of Oranjestad starting at 9 p.m. Floats, roadpieces and participants’ costumes are all brilliantly illuminated with hundreds of tiny lights.

February 18 CHILDREN’S GRAND PARADE ORANJESTAD
Begins at 2 p.m. in Oranjestad.

February 22 47th CARNIVAL QUEEN ELECTION

Begins at 8 p.m. at RCA Stadium in Oranjestad .

February 24 JOUVERT MORNING
Carnival’s biggest “jump-up” begins 4 a.m. in the streets of downtown San Nicolas.

February 24 CARNIVAL PARADE
Begins at 2 p.m. in San Nicolas.

February 25 ARUBA’S GRAND 47TH CARNIVAL PARADE
The annual carnival festivities culminate with the grand carnival parade, which always falls the Sunday before Ash Wednesday. Aruba’s main event starts at 11 a.m. in Oranjestad and continues into the evening in the streets of the city.

February 26 CARNIVAL MONDAY
National holiday; official day of rest.

February 26 OLD MASK PARADE AND BURNING OF KING MOMITO
Marks the end of the carnival season in the district of San Nicolas.

February 27 OLD MASK PARADE & BURNING OF KING MOMO
Carnival officially comes to an end on the eve of Ash Wednesday with the burning of “King Momo,” a symbol of the flesh.

March
March 15th ARUBA INTERNATIONAL HALF MARATHON (21 K) IDEFRE
tel: 297-824987
fax: 297-836478

March 18 NATIONAL ANTHEM AND FLAG DAY
Official holiday. The celebration of Aruba’s flag and anthem includes nationalistic displays and folkloric presentations on Plaza Betico Croes in Oranjestad.

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March 19 15th ARUBA INTERNATIONAL HALF MARATHON (21K)

Contact IDEFRE at (297)-824987 or fax (297)-835478 for additional information or participation.

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March 22 – 25 ANNUAL TRAVEL CONFERENCE ARUBA (ATCA)
Aruba holds its annual conference for U.S. wholesalers, tour operators and airlines. Contact the Aruba Tourism Authority at 297-823777 for additional information.

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April
ARUBA MEETS EUROPE (AME)
Annual tourism conference held for European wholesalers, tour operators and airlines. Aruba Tourism Authority
tel: (297) 823777
INTERNATIONAL BOWLING TOURNAMENT

Event held at Eagle Bowling Palace, Pos Abao. Jacobo Arends
fax: (297) 826443
ARUBA BARTENDERS’ CONTEST
Aruba Bartenders Association’s annual contest will select this best, original cocktail for . The winners will represent Aruba in the regional Latin American Bartenders Contest. Aruba Tourism Authority
Special Events
tel: 297-823777
QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY GOLF TOURNAMENT
A 2-day, 36-hole tournament is open to all players. Tierra del Sol
tel: (297) 860978

April 21, 23 & 24 GOOD FRIDAY, EASTER SUNDAY AND EASTER MONDAY
Official holidays celebrating the most important days of the Catholic religion.

April 30 QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY
Official holiday honoring Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands. Island activities marking the day begin with an official protocol ceremony, followed by kite contests, sporting events and other fun activities organized at various community centers.

April 30 ABN-AMRO BANK INT’L BOULEVARD RACE (10K)
IDEFRE
tel: 297-824987

fax: 297-836478

May
CONFERENCIA ANUAL DE TURISMO DE ARUBA (CATA)
Aruba holds its annual tourism conference for wholesalers, tour operators and airlines from Latin America and the Caribbean. Aruba Tourism Authority
tel: 297-823777

May 1 LABOR DAY
Official holiday .

May 24 ASCENSION DAY
Official holiday .

June
ARUBA CULINARY EXHIBITION & COMPETITION
Chefs from various hotels and restaurants are individually judged on their culinary abilities. Winners will represent Aruba in the “Taste of the Caribbean” regional competition. A National Bartenders’ Contest and Food & Beverage Trade Show accompany the competition. Aruba Gastronomic Assoc.
tel: 297-862161

fax 297-862162
HI-WINDS WORLD CHALLENGE
One of the most popular amateur competitions in the Caribbean happens here in Aruba with participation of windsurfers from 30 different countries. Windsurfers of all skill levels and ages can compete in six different categories: men, women, juniors, masters, super masters and the recreational class. Aruba Tourism Authority Special Events Department
tel: 297-823777 www.aruba-hiwinds.com
ARUBA’S 16TH INTERNATIONAL TRIATHLON
Open to the public, this international triathlon consists of a 1.5 km swim, 40 km bike race and 10 km run. IDEFRE
tel: 297-824987 or tel: 297-836478

June 29 – 30 ARUBA JAZZ & LATIN MUSIC FESTIVAL

International artists will perform in concert on Aruba. Aruba Tourism Authority
Special Events Dept.
tel: 297-823777

July
YOUTH BOWLING INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT
Competition will take place at the Eagle Bowling Palace. Jacobo Arends
tel: 297-826443

July 6, 12TH HEINEKEN MUSIC FESTIVAL
Festival takes place at Joe Laveist Sport Park in San Nicolas.

July 7 – 8 8th ANNUAL ARUBA PERRIER REEF CARE PROJECT
Annual marine environment awareness campaign brings together certified divers, snorkelers and topsiders for a clean-up of underwater sites and beaches. Aruba Tourism Authority
tel: 297-823777

July 15 – 20 INTERNATIONAL PAINTBALL COMPETITION
Paintball teams will compete on Palm Beach. Aruba Tourism Authority

Special Events Dept.
tel: 297-823777

August,p>

August 26 – 28 ARUBA INTERNATIONAL PRO-AM GOLF
Professional and amateur golfers team up in this 2-day, 36-hole tournament that includes gifts, prizes, special events and parties. Aruba Tourism Authority
Special Events Dept.
tel: 297-823777

September
LATIN AMERICAN TENNIS CLUB CHALLENGE CUP
Tennis tournament hosted by the Aruba Racquet Club involves players from various clubs in South America and the Caribbean. Contact Mr. Humphrey at 297-860215. October 4 – 6 FESTIVAL DE LAS AMERICAS Music festival features the unique rhythms of the Americas. Aruba Tourism Authority
Special Events Dept.
tel: 297-823777

October
DEEP SEA FISHING TOURNAMENT

Annual championships held in October at the Aruba Nautical Club with participation of yachts from Venezuela, Miami, Puerto Rico, Cura?ao, Bonaire and Aruba. Nautical Club
tel: 297-853022

November
SEAPORT YACHT RACE-ARUBA
Races take place between Aruba’s Havana Beach Club and Seaport Marina. Races around the island and from Punto Fijo, Venezuela, to Aruba are also featured. Henk Grim Seaport Marina
tel: 297-839190
fax: 297-839197

email: seaportmarina@setarnet.aw www.seaportyachtrace.com
. ARUBA INTERNATIONAL CATAMARAN REGATTA
The 10th annual international catamaran regatta event held on the island. Aruba’s turquoise waters will be adorned with the colorful sails of catamarans from Europe, North and South America compete in this event. Aruba Tourism Authority
tel: 297-823777

December

December 5 SAINT NICOLAS DAY
Celebration of Sint Nicolaas’ birthday. Traditionally, Sint Nicolaas arrives with his “Zwarte Pieten” (helpers) at the Paardenbaai Harbor in Oranjestad just before his birthday to greet the children of Aruba and reward them with gifts for their good behavior during the year. This annual event is celebrated by both children and adults.

December 25 CHRISTMAS DAY
Official holiday .

December 26 BOXING DAY
Official holiday .