This page contains a national calendar of all 2023 public holidays for Curaçao. These dates may be modified as official changes are announced, so please check back regularly for updates.
Carnival is a nearly month-long event, but the most meaningful moments are concentrated in two main parades: Gran Marcha (The Grand Parade), and Marcha di Despedida (The Farewell March).
Beginning the Sunday prior to Ash Wednesday, Gran Marcha is as boisterous as any Carnival event.
Tourists and locals
alike line the streets during Gran Marcha to cheer on the processional of costumed dancers and performers. Gran Marcha is also joined by the Children’s and Teen’s Carnival Parades, making it a friendly and family-focused affair.
The Marcha di Despedida signals a farewell to this annual Caribbean festival, taking place on the eve of Ash Wednesday. The floats glow with twinkling lights as they parade through Curaçao with Momo in tow. Momo is then burned at midnight at the parade’s and
Carnival’s grand finale.
Feel the Rhythm of Curaçao during the Carnival
Home to more than 35 captivating beaches, a diverse heritage spanning 55 different cultures, ‘live and let live’ attitude and unrivaled European
architecture; Curaçao remains one of the most exceptional islands of the region.
Its capital city, Willemstad — a UNESCO World Heritage site — is known for its iconic colorful Handelskade backdrop plus the roster of museums, monuments, flavorful restaurants and shopping.
However, it is Curaçao’s natural beauty,
pristine diving and snorkeling sites that are favorites with divers and adventure seekers. Add in the beaches, the idyllic weather coupled with the fact that the island is situated on the outer fringes of the Hurricane Belt that truly makes it a world class
diving and vacation destination that is located in the heart of the Dutch Caribbean.
Carnaval Curacao 2023 : de 53ste editie
Voorlopige data en tijden:
Curacao Carnaval 2023
Tijd
Datum
Dag
Kindercarvaval
13.00
12-feb-23
zondag
Tienercarnaval Parade
18.00
17-feb-23
vrijdag
Banda Abou Carnaval Parade
18-feb-23
zaterdag
Grote Carnaval Parade ‘Gran Marcha’
11.00
19-feb-23
zondag
Kinder Afscheidsparade
15.00
20-feb-23
maandag
Grote Afscheidsparade ‘Marcha di Despedida’
17.00
21-feb-23
dinsdag
Lees ook : Carnaval Curacao 2024 en Carnaval datum in Nederland
Curaçao Carnival 2023
The Curaçao Carnival is a unique celebration that takes over the entire Island with amazing competitions such as the Tumba music and Calypso festivals, beauty pageants, street parties and more.
Where is Curaçao Carnival held?
Most of the Carnival activities are concentrated in the Island’s Capital,
Willemstad Carnival attracts thousands of visitors from across the Caribbean and the USA. Stay at the Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort close to all of the festivities, and right by the beach so you can relax in
between street parties and parades.
Carnival Parade Highlights
Carnival’s most unmissable events are the two main parades: Gran Marcha (The Grand Parade), and Marcha di Despedida (The Farewell March).
Gran Marcha
Sunday 18th Feb 2023 – Beginning the Sunday prior to Ash Wednesday, Gran Marcha is as boisterous as any Carnival event. Tourists and locals alike line the streets during Gran Marcha to cheer on the processional of costumed
dancers and performers.
Marcha di Despedida
Wednesday 22nd March 2023 – The Marcha di Despedida signals a farewell to Carnival, taking place on the eve of Ash Wednesday. The floats glow with twinkling lights as they parade through Curaçao with Momo in tow. Momo is then burned at midnight at the parade’s and Carnival’s grand finale.
Other Parades
Election of Carnival King & Queen
Carnival Horse Parade
Banda Bou
Carnival Parade
Tumba Festival
The Tumba Festival is an event that is unique to Curaçao . Aspiring local musicians, performers, and composers compete in the four-day Tumba Festival in the hopes that their tumba (or song) will be chosen as the year’s official Carnival song. Like the rest of carnival, this festival brings with it beer, food, and some of the best dancing in the Caribbean Islands. The winner of the Tumba Festival is then crowned Rei di Tumba, and will walk
in the carnival parades along with their original tumba.
After opening day, Carnival groups also take to the streets, wearing t-shirts specific to their group. Following local bands, these groups dance, sing, and spread the carnival spirit through Jump Ups (outdoor) and Jump Ins (indoor), where they also sell t-shirts to raise money for their floats in the Gran Marcha.
Curaçao’s Carnival Traditions
Curaçao’s Carnival is a rich blend of cultures and traditions, from
the celebrations of the Dutch colonists to the the immigrants from Asiatic lands. Add in the Creole Middle Class on the island with their Private balls and societal introductions mixed in with the cultures of the Eastern Caribbean and you can see why the Carnival is such a unique and colorful affair.
Today all of these identities have blended to celebrate one huge national cultural expression on the island that features people from almost fifty different nationalities.
With the
insertion of Tumba (the island’s typical music form) as the official music to be promoted and played and the media coverage of almost every important event, Carnival without a doubt has become the biggest and most important cultural manifestation on Curacao.
Where to stay during Curacao Carnival?
The Following hotels are currently trending with our readers. All have high review scores and are close to the Carnival festivities:
Curacao Avila, Papagayo Beach Resort, Sombré di Kabana, Champartments Resort
