JANUARY
January 01 – New Year’s Day – Official Holiday Celebrate your New Year surrounded by loved ones at the Brion Square, where you can enjoy good music and a spectacular firework display.
Registration for Tumba Contest -TBA Local bands register with their respective singers to participate in the annual Tumba festival held at the Curaçao Festival Center. Carnival enthusiasts await the publication of the sequence of participants.
Carnival “Tumba” Festival -TBA Thousands gather for four nights to support the most popular bands, composers and singers during the largest song festival of the island. Here they elect the ‘Rei/Reina di Tumba’, with its winning song, which the carnival groups dance to during the Carnival parade.
FEBRUARY
February 12 – Horse Parade – Stunning horses and carriages will prance in the streets of Otrobanda with their riders dressed up to match the occasion, showing off their animals and their skills.
February 19 – Children’s Carnival Parade – During this parade, the local children, from toddlers to preteens, march through the streets of Otrobanda during their own colorful parade.
Feb. 24th -Teen Carnival Parade High School students and teenagers also get to enjoy their own Carnival Parade that also goes through the streets of Otrobanda.
Feb. 25th – Carnival Parade at Banda’bou A full day of partying takes place in the streets of Banda’bou.
Feb. 26th – the ‘Gran Marcha’ or the Grand Parade. Thousands of participants, accompanied by musical trailers and colorful floats, show off their fantastic costumes and strut to the music of the road march. Along the 10 km route, spectators dance and enjoy the pageantry.
February 28 – The Farewell Parade The Carnival season gets its last hurrah with one final parade. During the nighttime procession, the floats are decorated with lights and at midnight, the King Momo idol is burned to please the gods. Do note that all dates are tentative and are subjected to changes, so check out curacaocarnival.info for more updated information.
MARCH
March 9 to 18 – Plein Air Curaçao International Art Festival
Every other year, a ten-day art festival is organized, where local and international artists paint outdoors at various locations in Curaçao and the art is continuously exposed in several homes, galleries and museums. Several workshops are also given by international and local artists and artistic divers can also learn to paint underwater. On the last day of the festival, the Downtown Management Organization (DMO) will transform Punda into an artistic paradise by organizing a big Street Fair. Check out www.pleinaircuracao.com for more info.
APRIL
April 5th to 9th – The Curaçao International Film Festival Rotterdam.
The sixth edition will again showcase the movies and short films of international and regional independent filmmakers, while giving the local filmmakers an opportunity to exhibit their work. Check out www.curacaoiffr.com for more information.
April 6th to 8th – Curacao Masters – MCB Curacao Master/ Pro-Am Golf Tournament -The 2017 edition of the MCB Curacao Master is one of the largest golf tournaments of the Caribbean and will be held at the luxurious Blue Bay Resort. Again, some of the world’s best players flock to Curaçao to measure their dominance on these elaborate grounds. Visit curacaomasters.com for more information.
April 15, 16, 17 – Flow Carifta 2017 – For the first time in Curaçao, the 46th edition of the CARIFTA Games will be held at the SDK stadium, during the Easter weekend. With more than 25 participating Caribbean countries and over 600 athletes, the CARIFTA Games are seen as a starting point for many future World- and Olympic track and field champions from the Caribbean. The three day event is organized by the North American Central American and Caribbean Athletics Association (NACACAA), the Curaçao Athletics Association (C.A.B) and the Local Organizing Committee (StOA)
April 14 – Good Friday – Official Holiday
Catholics observe this official holiday and marks the beginning of a week long spring break.
April 16 -The Seú or Harvest Parade – Official Holiday
The Seú or Harvest Parade is the second largest parade of the island, where the streets of Otrobanda are again transformed into a euphoric display of folklore and groups dance through the streets to celebrate the harvest.
April 27 – King’s Birthday – Official Holiday
All through the Dutch kingdom, King Willem Alexander celebrates his birthday in a festive atmosphere, and in Curaçao, the locals organize the largest flea market in downtown Punda, accompanied with live performances.
International Drag Fest – Date TBA
Every year, the International Drag Fest hosts drivers from the Netherlands, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, Venezuela, Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao, who compete during ten automobile and five motorcycle categories. It is organized at the Curacao International Raceway, located at Ronde Klip, Curacao. Visit curacaodrag.com for further details.
MAY
May 1st – Labor Day – Official Holiday
May 25th – Ascension Day – Official Holiday
ENNIA Curaçao International Triathlon – Date TBA
During the 7th edition, held on the scenic premises of the Santa Barbara Golf & Beach Resort, the ultimate athlete can test its physical endurance by swimming 1.5 kilometers, bike 40 kilometers, to finalize with a 10 kilometers run. Visit triathlon-curacao.com/olympic for more details.
JUNE
June 17th to 19th – Curaçao Heineken Regatta
Come and enjoy three days of sailing, parties, and live music, where Heineken turns Punda into the ultimate Regatta Village. The pinnacle of the event is the closing ceremony, where several Caribbean artists celebrate the victorious display of aquatic sportsmanship. Visit facebook.com/regattacuracao
for more information.
JULY
July 2 – Curaçao Flag Day – Official Holiday
During this official holiday, the Curaçao Flag is commemorated with official ceremonies and cultural events at Plaza Brion and the village of Barber, in addition to many food festivals and neighborhood get-togethers.
AUGUST
August 17th – Commemoration of Slave Uprising
The 1795 slave uprising, led by local hero Tula is commemorated with music and cultural presentations at the waterfront at Rif and the popular ‘Ruta di Tula’ that ends at Landhuis Kenepa, Banda’bou. For more information call Fundashon Parke Nashonal at +5999-5630358.
SEPTEMBER
September 16 – Curaçao Clean Up
For the fifth edition of Curaçao Clean Up, over 2000 citizens go out in teams to clean our island, in order to make a positive impact on the environment and educate the population about the importance of preservation. Check www.curacaocleanup.com for more information.
Siman di Kultura – TBA
Every year, the government, schools, local businesses and the tourism sector celebrate Culture Week with lots of festivities, music, good food and traditional sweets, to educate the tourists and upcoming generations about our cultural heritage. Check out www.facebook.com/Siman-di-Kultura
for more information.
OCTOBER
October 10th – Curaçao Day – Official Holiday
During the public holiday, the fact that Curaçao obtained its autonomous status within the Dutch Kingdom is commemorated.
NOVEMBER
KLM Curaçao Marathon – TBA
During the fourth edition, which will take place at the end of November, runners from over thirty countries, will start at the Lions Dive & Beach Resort and conclude the race on the beach with an awards ceremony and star-studded after party.
DECEMBER
The Curaçao Baseball Week – TBA
The weeklong event aims to promote baseball on our island and bring the youth closer to their local and international baseball legends. The kids also participate clinics and fans get an opportunity to collect signatures and take pictures with their baseball heroes. In addition, several coach seminars will be organized for the local baseball coaches. Check out www.curacaobaseballweek.com for more information.
December 25 & 26 – Christmas – Official Holiday