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Overview | Attractions | Events | Facts | Kids | Last Minute Deals
Events and Holidays
January
1 New Year’s Day (Official Holiday)
Early January Official Opening of Carnival
Eight weeks of Carnival festivities begin with a full program of activities in Willemstad, highlighted by revelers, in costume, dancing in the streets. (599-9) 462-3652
Late January
Election of Carnival King & Queen, Prince & Pancho: The official Carnival representatives are elected.
Late January
Children Carnival King & Queen Election:
Late January
Annual Curaçao International Sailing Regatta Contact: Friends of Regatta at (599-9) 561-9292/561-2612
February
Early February Carnival Tumba Contest:
The island’s finest composers, musicians and singers compete in a unique Curaçao festival. The winning Tumba song will have the honor of being the Carnival Road March Song. Held at the festival Center. Contact: Curacao Music Association. (599-9) 737-6343
Early February
Juve Morning: Originally the ‘Juve Morning’ celebration was mean for participants to join in their night dress or pajamas, but the Curacao population has opted to participate in their T-shirts and jeans. This parade is popular with revelers who enjoy living it up from late at night to sunrise, while the streets fill up with spectators who come to dance &cheer on the participants.
Contact: F.O.KA. (Fundashon pa Organisashon di Karnaval). Located at Pietermaai 20c , Phone number: (599-9) 462-3652
Early February
Children’s Tumba Festival:
Talented local youth belt out original tunes, one of which will be selected as the Children’s Road March. Held at the Curacao Festival Center.
Contact: F.O.KA. (Fundashon pa Organisashon di Karnaval). Located at Pietermaai 20c , Phone number: (599-9) 462-3652
Early February
Teenagers Carnival King & Queen Election: The Queen, Prince and Pancho are elected for the teenagers Parade. Contact: F.O.KA. (Fundashon pa Organisashon di Karnaval). Located at Pietermaai 20c , Phone number: (599-9) 462-3652
Mid- February
International Tennis Tournament (Davis Cup) Tel. 523-3739
Mid-February
Horse Parade:
All the riding schools and private horse owners participate to show off their animals and their skills. Contact: F.O.KA. (Fundashon pa Organisashon di Karnaval). Located at Pietermaai 20c , Phone number: (599-9) 462-3652
Mid-February
Carnival Calypso Contest:
The Calypso contest is a special event that draws many people who hail back to the Windward Islands where Calypso is king. Many local singers and steel bands compete, as well as participants from the neighboring islands, where the calypso is quite popular.
Contact: F.O.KA. (Fundashon pa Organisashon di Karnaval). Located at Pietermaai 20c , Phone number: (599-9) 462-3652
Mid-February
Children’s Carnival Parade
Toddlers up to 6th graders take to the streets of Willemstad for their own full-scale parade.
Late February
Ban Topa Karnaval & Tourist Parade: Contact: F.O.KA. (Fundashon pa Organisashon di Karnaval). Located at Pietermaai 20c , Phone number: (599-9) 462-3652 Cell number: (599-9) 565-5750 Fax number: (599-9) 465-0683 .
Late February
Teen Carnival Parade
Young people are in the spotlight with their own Carnival Parade in Willemstad.
Late February Carnival Parade at Banda Bou: In the scenic countryside of the western part of the island a full day of revelry takes place in the streets of Banda Bou villages.
Late February Traditional “Midnight Ban Topa� in Otrobanda.
The streets are closed; there are bands, dancing, and vendors selling food and drink. Everyone joins in the festivities.
Late February “Midnight� Kaya Grandi Festival in Punda
Same as Otrobanda; The Pietermaai street is closed, there are lots of bands, everybody dances and vendors sell food and drink. Everyone joins in the festivities.
March
Mid- March
Annual International Blue Marlin Release
Late March
International Bowling Tournament: Participating countries; Ecuador , Venezuela , Puerto Rico ,
Santo Domingo & Aruba . Contact: Mr. Gilbert Snijders at tel. (599-9) 767-2812
March or April
Good Friday: Official Holiday :
Late March International Open Tennis Tournament: Contact: Mr. Kenneth Hennep. Tel. 523-3739
March or April
Easter Monday (Official Holiday ) Harvest (Seu) Parade
Parade through the streets of Otrobanda, symbolizing the “Feast of the Harvest�, featuring all the folkloric groups on the island. Contact: Fundashon Séu Korsou at: tel. (599-9)737-3585/737-3591/562-7036
April
Late April - 1 May Curacao International Drag Races:
More than 7,500 spectators from Curaçao and abroad will attend several events during this exciting weekend. In addition to the races there will be live music, with island cuisine and other activities creating a festival atmosphere The track is located at Ronde Klip on the north side of the island. Contact Mr. William Silvanie at tel. (5999) 461-8832
30 April
Queen’s Birthday (Official Holiday ):
Celebration of Queen’s Birthday
30 April
The Séu Harvest Parade at the country site Banda Bou
30 April - 1 May
International Food, Beverage and Cultural Festival: More than 50 stands create a banquet of international and local cuisine and native beverages. Live entertainment is highlighted by local and international dance groups, fashion shows, bands, DJs, and Children playgrounds;
May
1 May Labor Day: Official Holiday: An official holiday when government and labor union organize marches and other activities.
40 days after Easter
Ascension Day (Official Holiday ):
Late May
Annual Curaçao Jazz Festival:
A two - day jazz extravaganza organized by the Curaçao Jazz Foundation, and drawing top international performers as well as local talents. Contact: Curaçao Jazz Foundation at tel. (599-9) 461-1866 or visit us at www.curacaojazz.com
Late May
International Caribbean Gospel Festival:
Gospel Music lovers arrive from throughout the region to hear performances by popular gospel singers at the Holiday Beach Hotel. Contact:Caribbean Gospel Foundation at tel. (599-9) 737-1200/666-7081
July
Early July
Curaçao Flag Day:
Official Holiday . Celebrated with official ceremonies and cultural events at Plaza Brion and the Village of Barber Contact: Kas di Kultura at tel. (599-9) 461-7355
Early July
Drag Racing Competition:
More than 7,500 spectators from Curaçao and abroad attend events during the holidays. The track is located at Rondeklip on the north side of the island. For more information contact Mr. William Silvanie at tel. (5999)-569-8805/461-8832
Early July
Trupiaal Youth Invitational Games 2004: Participating Countries: Puerto Rico, Aruba, Trinidad , USA , Barbados , St. Maarten, and Santto.Domingo & Venezuela.
26 July
Curaçao Day: commemorate the discovery of Curaçao by Alonzo de Ojeda, in 1499, with a variety of folkloric activities in the inner city and the countryside. Contact: Kas di Kultura at tel. (599-9) 461-7355.
August
Early August
Curaçao Salsa Tour Festival
Mid-August
Slave Uprising Anniversary; The 1795 slave uprising, the most important in Curaçao’s history, is remembered with musical and cultural events on the Rif waterfront, and at Landhuis Kenepa at the western en of the island.
October
2 October
Banda Bou Day: Inhabitants of the Banda Bou region, on the scenic west coast, will celebrate the day of Banda Bou, with music, folkloric shows, vendors selling typical food and drink. Everyone joins in the festivities. Contact Mr. Rudy Rooij at tel: 560-9763/ 864-1838/864-1132/563-1097
October
Rosh Hashanah: Jewish New Year. Jewish owned shops and banks are closed. Contact: Mikve Israel-Emanuel at tel. (599-9) 461-1067
Early October
International “ Drag Races � October Clash: More than 100 Participants, 7500 spectators from throughout the region and Curaçao will attend these 3-day events.
October
Yom Kippur: Jewish day of atonement. Jewish owned shops and banks are closed
Contact: Mikve Israel-Emanuel at tel. (599-9) 461-1067
21 October
Antillean Day: Official Holiday . A celebration of the unity of the five islands of the Netherlands Antilles .
November
EarlyNovember
Caribbean Tourism Day: Contact: Curacao Tourist Board (599-9) 434-8200
Mid- November
Dutch Santa Claus (St. Nicholas) sails into St. Anna Bay: This legendary Dutch patriarch sails into St. Anna Bay, supposedly from Spain, with his white horse and entourage of helpers, all named Zwarte Piet (goblin). Families gather in Otrobanda where a festival atmosphere prevails. Contact: Mrs. Poppy Cratz at Curaçao Parades and festival foundation (599-9) 666-6712
Late November
Christmas Showcase: Held at the World Trade Center Curaçao. This Tradeshow displays a range of new products for Christmas and New Year season. A continuous fashion show will also be presented with international and local models. For more information please call Mrs. Bakhuis (599-9) 463-6178
December
5 Dec
St Nicholas Day; On St. Nicholas Eve all children place a bucket of water and a shoe filled with hay for St. Nicholas’ big white horse. If they have been good all year, they will wake to find their shoes filled with gifts. Those who haven’t are afraid a goblin called “ Zwarte Piet� (Black Peter) will carry them back to Spain in a sack.
25 & 26 December
Christmas Day (Official Holiday)
31 December
New Year’s Eve: Official Holiday (Half- day)
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