What's on in Oranjestad (Aruba), Aruba through the year

Peak crowds — Aruba Carnival, Cruise season

• Festival

  Aruba Carnival

  3 Jan – 10 Mar · usuallyCrowdedBook early

  The season opens with the Torch Parade through Oranjestad in the first week of January and runs to the Grand Parade on the Sunday before Ash Wednesday, ending with the burning of King Momo at the harbour. Carnival Monday is a public holiday. Source ↗

Still on: Cruise season (1 Nov – 30 Apr (usually)), Dry season and winter peak (15 Dec – 15 Apr (usually))

Peak crowds — Aruba Carnival, Cruise season

Nothing new starts in February.

Still on: Aruba Carnival (3 Jan – 10 Mar (usually)), Cruise season (1 Nov – 30 Apr (usually)), Dry season and winter peak (15 Dec – 15 Apr (usually))

Peak crowds — Aruba Carnival, Flag and Anthem Day

• Holiday

  Flag and Anthem Day

  18 MarNational holidayClosuresCrowded

  Dia di Himno y Bandera fills the square in front of the government offices with folkloric groups and traditional dress, and everything else shuts. The beaches fill after lunch instead. Source ↗

Still on: Aruba Carnival (3 Jan – 10 Mar (usually)), Cruise season (1 Nov – 30 Apr (usually)), Dry season and winter peak (15 Dec – 15 Apr (usually))

Peak crowds — Cruise season, Dry season and winter peak

• Season

  Trade wind season

  1 Apr – 31 Aug · usually

  The easterlies blow hardest through late spring and early summer, which is what put Hadicurari on the windsurfing map and when the Hi-Winds regatta runs. On the leeward beaches it just keeps the afternoon bearable. Source ↗

Still on: Cruise season (1 Nov – 30 Apr (usually)), Dry season and winter peak (15 Dec – 15 Apr (usually))

Shoulder season — an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in May.

Still on: Trade wind season (1 Apr – 31 Aug (usually))

Shoulder season — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

• Festival

  Dia di San Juan

  24 JunMajor festival

  Midsummer bonfires and the Dera Gai dance in red and yellow, held out in the country districts rather than in town. It is a harvest thanksgiving that long predates the resort strip. Source ↗

Still on: Trade wind season (1 Apr – 31 Aug (usually))

Shoulder season — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in July.

Still on: Trade wind season (1 Apr – 31 Aug (usually))

Shoulder season — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in August.

Still on: Trade wind season (1 Apr – 31 Aug (usually))

Quiet — school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it, one of its worst months for weather

Nothing new starts in September.

Quiet — one of its worst months for weather

Nothing new starts in October.

Busy — Cruise season

• Season

  Cruise season

  1 Nov – 30 Apr · usuallyCrowded

  The terminal is in the middle of town, so passengers step straight onto Caya Betico Croes. Shops keep their hours to the ships and the streetcar only really runs when they are in.

Peak crowds — Cruise season, Dry season and winter peak

• Season

  Dry season and winter peak

  15 Dec – 15 Apr · usuallyWinter-sun seasonCrowdedBook early

  Aruba sits below the usual hurricane track and dries out over the northern winter, which is why the high-rise strip is booked from October and the same families come back for the same week each year.

Still on: Cruise season (1 Nov – 30 Apr (usually))