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ARUBA CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR   2 0 0 9 (Aruba's Calendar of events is continuously updated throughout the year)
	January February March April May June July August September October November December

** BONBINI FESTIVAL - YEAR-ROUND **
Is a year-round folkloric event every Tuesday night from
6:30 PM to 9:00 PM at Fort Zoutman in Oranjestad. Arts and crafts, local foods, drinks, music and dances. A small entrance fee applies.

** SOUL BEACH MUSIC FESTIVAL:  **
May 20 - 25 2009, for more details coming soon!

Click here to view other WEEKLY EVENTS

** Dates of certain events are subject to change **

JANUARY		EVENT / LOCATION
01	Thursday	week01
		HAPPY NEW YEAR National holiday -  official day of rest. Official holiday commencing with the traditional, island-wide display of midnight fireworks and firecrackers that illuminate the skies as Aruba joyfully welcomes the year 2009. Legend has it that firecrackers ward off evil spirits. Groups of musicians, known as "Dande," stroll from house to house to sing good luck-greetings for the New Year.
02	Friday
03	Saturday
04	Sunday
05	Monday	week02
06
	Tuesday	THE DAY OF THE KINGS Epiphany day is called "El Dia de los Reyes". The day when a group of Kings or Magi of the Bible (Melchor, Gaspar, and Balthazar) arrived to worship and bring three gifts to the baby Jesus after following a star in the heavens. Children (and many adults) polish and leave their shoes ready for the Kings' presents before they go to bed on 5 January.
	06:30 pm	BON BINI FESTIVAL Weekly Event - At Fort Zoutman, Oranjestad. This is a cultural event where local musicians, singers and dancers come together. Visitors are able to purchase souvenirs, and sample the local cuisine.
07	Wednesday
08	Thursday
09	Friday 08:00 pm	CARNIVAL HAPPY HOUR WARM-UP PARTY ORANJESTAD VENUE - CAFE BAHIA Contact “Stichting Arubaanse Carnival” SAC at Phone +297 582 4214  Fax +297 588 2964 or Email for additional information. The complete Carnival 2009 schedule
10	Saturday	DONKEY WALK 5K SANTA CRUZ In benefit of the Aruba Donkey Sanctuary. Registration starts at 04:00 pm at the Ayo Rock Formations. The fee is Afls. 10 (US$ 6) which also includes a bottle of water. All proceeds from the walk-a-thon go to feed and take care of the Aruban donkeys at the sanctuary. This is a fun walk and is open to everyone, visitors and residents alike. 2 of our donkeys will be there to walk with everyone.
	08:00 pm	TIVOLI TORCH PARADE [Fakkel Optocht] ORANJESTAD The Torch Parade is the first official parade on the Aruba Carnival Foundation (SAC) schedule. Organized by Tivoli Club, Aruba's oldest social club. The tradition continues with bright lights (torches) leading the way down the streets of the capital (Oranjestad), often wearing carnival costumes from the previous year. This sets the pace for the festivities to come. Contact “Stichting Arubaanse Carnival” SAC at Phone +297 582 4214  Fax +297 588 2964 or Email for additional information. The complete Carnival 2009 schedule
11	Sunday
12	Monday	week03
13	Tuesday 06:30 pm	BON BINI FESTIVAL Weekly Event - At Fort Zoutman, Oranjestad. This is a cultural event where local musicians, singers and dancers come together. Visitors are able to purchase souvenirs, and sample the local cuisine.
14	Wednesday
15	Thursday
16	Friday
17	Saturday 06:00 pm	CHILDREN'S CALYPSO & ROADMARCH ORANJESTAD VENUE - ARUBA ENTERTAINMENT CENTER Contact “Stichting Arubaanse Carnival” SAC at Phone +297 582 4214  Fax +297 588 2964 or Email for additional information. The complete Carnival 2009 schedule
	08:00 pm	ISLAND FUNK by IMUZIKA at Confession Night Club! "It's Gianni's B-Day Party!" Expect some crazy stuff, you have been warned! Official Pre Party at Chino Latino at 8pm! Ladies in Free Before midnight Entrance: 18 years up [id required] (South Beach mall) Infront of Occidental Grand Phone: +297 733 5577 for VIP table
18	Sunday
	02:00 pm	BALLOON PARADE [Parada di Blas] SAN NICOLAS ROUTE - Pastoor Hendrikstraat - Caya D. Cooper - Caya Capt. H. Rodger - Lagoweg - Bernhardtstraat - Vuylestekestraat - Pastoor Hendrikstraat - Joe Laveist Sport Park Contact “Stichting Arubaanse Carnival” SAC at Phone +297 582 4214  Fax +297 588 2964 or Email for additional information. The complete Carnival 2009 schedule
19	Monday	week04
20	Tuesday 06:30 pm	BON BINI FESTIVAL Weekly Event - At Fort Zoutman, Oranjestad. This is a cultural event where local musicians, singers and dancers come together. Visitors are able to purchase souvenirs, and sample the local cuisine.
21	Wednesday
22	Thursday
23	Friday
24	Saturday 07:30 pm	GRAND TUMBA CONTEST ORANJESTAD VENUE - ARUBA ENTERTAINMENT CENTER The Tumba King elected during this festival often performs in the Carnival Parades. Tumba is a rhythm found on the ABC islands with roots in Africa. Today this beat is accompanied by brass and keyboards. Tickets @ US$15 Presale - S. A. C. office price includes 1 free drink Contact “Stichting Arubaanse Carnival” SAC at Phone +297 582 4214  Fax +297 588 2964 or Email for additional information. The complete Carnival 2009 schedule
25	Sunday	DIA DI BETICO National holiday -  official day of rest. Official holiday in memory of G.F. (Betico ) Croes, On January 25 th, we commemorate the birthday of the late Aruban political leader, Gilberto François (Betico) Croes. He helped the island attain the "Status Aparte". White its new status Aruba was given autonomy from the Netherlands Antilles, and was allowed to Function as a commonwealth within the Dutch kingdom. This official holiday also features many sporting events and games throughout the island.
	05:30 pm	BETICO MEMORIAL 6K & 10K RUN SANTA CRUZ Betico Croes hometown of Santa Cruz sponsors an amateur road race through hilly terrain. The circular route takes runners through residential neighborhoods and back to the main intersection of Santa Cruz. IDEFRE Phone +297 585 4987 or Fax +297 583 6478, Email for additional information or participation!
26	Monday	week05
27	Tuesday 06:30 pm	BON BINI FESTIVAL Weekly Event - At Fort Zoutman, Oranjestad. This is a cultural event where local musicians, singers and dancers come together. Visitors are able to purchase souvenirs, and sample the local cuisine.
28	Wednesday
29	Thursday
30	Friday
31	Saturday 07:00 am	10 MILE CROSS COUNTRY SAVANETA Starts at Savaneta Kamp (Dutch Marine). IDEFRE Phone +297 585 4987 or Fax +297 583 6478, Email for additional information or participation!
	07:00 pm	TUMBERITO 2009 ORANJESTAD VENUE - CAS DI CULTURA Contact “Stichting Arubaanse Carnival” SAC at Phone +297 582 4214  Fax +297 588 2964 or Email for additional information. The complete Carnival 2009 schedule
	08:00 pm	COSTUME FESTIVAL 2009 ORANJESTAD VENUE - ARUBA ENTERTAINMENT CENTER Contact “Stichting Arubaanse Carnival” SAC at Phone +297 582 4214  Fax +297 588 2964 or Email for additional information. The complete Carnival 2009 schedule
	09:00 pm	BACK TO MAMARRACHO at Eyes Night Club! Carnival Party, Live Bands, DJ's and $Bar Entrance: 21 years up [id required] (Dakota Shopping Paradise) Av. Milo Croes Phone: +297 593 6480 for VIP table
	11:00 pm	BOOGIE NIGHTS by IMUZIKA at Confession Night Club! Starring Tom King[UK], Theo Sanders[AUA] and a very special mysterious guest... Entrance: 18 years up [id required] (South Beach mall) Infront of Occidental Grand Phone: +297 733 5577 for VIP table

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FEBRUARY		EVENT / LOCATION
01	Sunday	week05
02	Monday	week06
03	Tuesday
	06:30 pm	BON BINI FESTIVAL Weekly Event - At Fort Zoutman, Oranjestad. This is a cultural event where local musicians, singers and dancers come together. Visitors are able to purchase souvenirs, and sample the local cuisine.
04	Wednesday
05	Thursday
06	Friday
07
	Saturday 07:30 pm	CALYPSO AND ROADMARCH CONTEST SAN NICOLAS VENUE - JOE LAVEIST SPORT PARK The Calypso King and Roadmarch King elected during this festival often perform in the Carnival Parades and the chosen Roadmarch is usually played by all bands throughout the Grand Parade. Calypso is a rhythm originally from Trinidad. The lyrics often critique both political and social issues. Contact “Stichting Arubaanse Carnival” SAC at Phone +297 582 4214  Fax +297 588 2964 or Email for additional information. The complete Carnival 2009 schedule
08
	Sunday 01:00 pm	CHILDREN'S PARADE SAN NICOLAS ROUTE - Pastoor Hendrikstraat - Caya D. Cooper - Caya Captaat - Vuylestekestraat - Pastoor Hendrikstraat - Joe Laveist Sport Park Contact “Stichting Arubaanse Carnival” SAC at Phone +297 582 4214  Fax +297 588 2964 or Email for additional information. The complete Carnival 2009 schedule
09	Monday	week07
10	Tuesday 06:30 pm	BON BINI FESTIVAL Weekly Event - At Fort Zoutman, Oranjestad. This is a cultural event where local musicians, singers and dancers come together. Visitors are able to purchase souvenirs, and sample the local cuisine.
	08:30 pm	BAN DJO DJO HAPPENING BALASHI VENUE - BALASHI GARDENS Contact “Stichting Arubaanse Carnival” SAC at Phone +297 582 4214  Fax +297 588 2964 or Email for additional information. The complete Carnival 2009 schedule
11	Wednesday 08:00 pm	HEBBE HEBBE HAPPENING [People Drinking Heineken Beer] ORANJESTAD VENUE - POST OFFICE Contact “Stichting Arubaanse Carnival” SAC at Phone +297 582 4214  Fax +297 588 2964 or Email for additional information. The complete Carnival 2009 schedule
12	Thursday
13	Friday 08:00 pm	CARNIVAL SHOWDOWN "WINDOWS TO THE WORLD"[International Concert] ORANJESTAD - Local Bands: Always, Search, Impak, Youth Xtreme. From Barbados: Krosfyah VENUE - ARUBA ENTERTAINMENT CENTER Contact “Stichting Arubaanse Carnival” SAC at Phone +297 582 4214  Fax +297 588 2964 or Email for additional information. The complete Carnival 2009 schedule
14	Saturday	VALENTINE'S DAY
	01:00 pm	CHILDREN'S PARADE NOORD ROUTE - from Bubali Field straight to Centro di Bario Noord Contact “Stichting Arubaanse Carnival” SAC at Phone +297 582 4214  Fax +297 588 2964 or Email for additional information. The complete Carnival 2009 schedule
	08:00 pm	TIVOLI'S LIGHTING PARADE ORANJESTAD Lighting Parade through the streets of Oranjestad. Floats, roadpieces and participants' costumes are all brilliantly illuminated with hundreds of tiny lights. ROUTE - Aruba Entertainment Center - Avenida Milo J. Croes - L.G. Smith Boulevard - D.O.W. Contact “Stichting Arubaanse Carnival” SAC at Phone +297 582 4214  Fax +297 588 2964 or Email for additional information. The complete Carnival 2009 schedule
15	Sunday
16	Monday	week08
17	Tuesday 06:30 pm	BON BINI FESTIVAL Weekly Event - At Fort Zoutman, Oranjestad. This is a cultural event where local musicians, singers and dancers come together. Visitors are able to purchase souvenirs, and sample the local cuisine.
18	Wednesday 07:00 pm	TOURIST CARNIVAL NIGHT PALM BEACH VENUE - PASEO HERENCIA Contact “Stichting Arubaanse Carnival” SAC at Phone +297 582 4214  Fax +297 588 2964 or Email for additional information. The complete Carnival 2009 schedule
19	Thursday
20	Friday 05:00 pm	TUMBA, CALYPSO & ROADMARCH AFTER PARTY ORANJESTAD VENUE - ARUBA ENTERTAINMENT CENTER Contact “Stichting Arubaanse Carnival” SAC at Phone +297 582 4214  Fax +297 588 2964 or Email for additional information. The complete Carnival 2009 schedule
	08:00 pm	JUBU HAPPENING SAN NICOLAS VENUE - IN FRONT OF LAS VEGAS BAR Contact “Stichting Arubaanse Carnival” SAC at Phone +297 582 4214  Fax +297 588 2964 or Email for additional information. The complete Carnival 2009 schedule
21	Saturday 04:00 am	JOUVERT MORNING & PAYAMA PARTY SAN NICOLAS Carnival's biggest Jump-up. ROUTE - Pastoor Hendrikstraat - Caya D. Cooper - Caya Capt. H. Rodger - Lagoweg - Bernhardtstraat - Vuylestekestraat - Pastoor Hendrikstraat - Joe Laveist Sport Park Contact “Stichting Arubaanse Carnival” SAC at Phone +297 582 4214  Fax +297 588 2964 or Email for additional information. The complete Carnival 2009 schedule
	01:00 pm	GRAND PARADE SAN NICOLAS ROUTE - Pastoor Hendrikstraat - Caya D. Cooper - Caya Capt. H. Rodger - Lagoweg - Bernhardtstraat - Dr. Scheapmanstraat - Pastoor Hendrikstraat - Joe Laveist Sport Park Contact “Stichting Arubaanse Carnival” SAC at Phone +297 582 4214  Fax +297 588 2964 or Email for additional information. The complete Carnival 2009 schedule
22	Sunday 12:00 pm	ARUBA'S FAMOUS 55TH GRAND PARADE ORANJESTAD ROUTE  - Avenida Milo J. Croes - Vondellaan - L.G. Smith Boulevard - D.O.W. Contact “Stichting Arubaanse Carnival” SAC at Phone +297 582 4214  Fax +297 588 2964 or Email for additional information. The complete Carnival 2009 schedule
23	Monday	week09
		CARNIVAL MONDAY National holiday -  official day of rest.
24	Tuesday 06:30 pm	BON BINI FESTIVAL Weekly Event - At Fort Zoutman, Oranjestad. This is a cultural event where local musicians, singers and dancers come together. Visitors are able to purchase souvenirs, and sample the local cuisine.
		ROTARY FUN RUN 5K [ARRUWAC] Start: Tony Roma's at 5:30 PM Contact Mr. Rafael Lopez tel: 297-594-1412 or Email for additional information or participation!
25	Wednesday	ASH WEDNESDAY
26	Thursday
27	Friday
28	Saturday

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APRIL		EVENT / LOCATION
01	Wednesday	week14
		APRIL FOOL'S DAY Ancient cultures, including those as varied as the Romans and the Hindus, celebrated New Year's Day on or around April 1. In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII ordered a new calendar that called for New Year's Day to be celebrated Jan. 1. That year, France adopted the reformed calendar and shifted New Year's day to Jan. 1. Many people either refused to accept the new date, or did not learn about it, and continued to celebrate New Year's Day on April 1. Other people began to make fun of these traditionalists, sending them on "fool's errands" or trying to trick them into believing something false.
02	Thursday
03	Friday
04	Saturday
05	Sunday
06	Monday	week15
07	Tuesday 06:30 pm	BON BINI FESTIVAL Weekly Event - At Fort Zoutman, Oranjestad. This is a cultural event where local musicians, singers and dancers come together. Visitors are able to purchase souvenirs, and sample the local cuisine.
08	Wednesday
09	Thursday
10	Friday	GOOD FRIDAY National holiday -  official day of rest.
11	Saturday
12	Sunday	EASTER
13	Monday	week16
		EASTER MONDAY National holiday -  official day of rest.
14	Tuesday 06:30 pm	BON BINI FESTIVAL Weekly Event - At Fort Zoutman, Oranjestad. This is a cultural event where local musicians, singers and dancers come together. Visitors are able to purchase souvenirs, and sample the local cuisine.
15	Wednesday
16	Thursday
17	Friday
18	Saturday
19	Sunday
20	Monday	week17
21	Tuesday 06:30 pm	BON BINI FESTIVAL Weekly Event - At Fort Zoutman, Oranjestad. This is a cultural event where local musicians, singers and dancers come together. Visitors are able to purchase souvenirs, and sample the local cuisine.
22	Wednesday	EARTH DAY
23	Thursday
24	Friday
25	Saturday
26	Sunday	26TH ROYAL NATIONALS DRAG RACE The Aruba Drag Race Foundation (ADRF) organizes this spectacular international drag racing event. Contact Roland Arends at Tel.: 297-584-0322 or Fax.: 297-574-3884 or website: ArubaDrag or via E-mail.
27	Monday	week18
		26TH ROYAL NATIONALS DRAG RACE Contact Roland Arends at Tel.: 297-584-0322 or Fax.: 297-574-3884 or website: ArubaDrag or via E-mail.
28	Tuesday 06:30 pm	BON BINI FESTIVAL Weekly Event - At Fort Zoutman, Oranjestad. This is a cultural event where local musicians, singers and dancers come together. Visitors are able to purchase souvenirs, and sample the local cuisine.
		26TH ROYAL NATIONALS DRAG RACE Contact Roland Arends at Tel.: 297-584-0322 or Fax.: 297-574-3884 or website: ArubaDrag or via E-mail.
29	Wednesday	26TH ROYAL NATIONALS DRAG RACE Contact Roland Arends at Tel.: 297-584-0322 or Fax.: 297-574-3884 or website: ArubaDrag or via E-mail.
30	Thursday	QUEEN'S DAY National holiday -  official day of rest. Aruba holds a protocol ceremony on this official holiday in honor of Queen Beatrix of The Netherlands followed by much enjoyable activities around the island. People engage in kite contests, sporting events and other fun activities at various community centers.
		26TH ROYAL NATIONALS DRAG RACE Contact Roland Arends at Tel.: 297-584-0322 or Fax.: 297-574-3884 or website: ArubaDrag or via E-mail.

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