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ARUBA CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR   2 0 0 8 (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.

** ONE COOL SUMMER:  Watapana Food & Art Festival **
The One Cool Summer Watapana Festival has been cancelled for 2008. This was an annual event that took place every Wednesday from around 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM during May-Sep on the area between Occidental Aruba and Hyatt. A variety of local art, food and drinks was offered. It should be rescheduled for next year.

** SOUL BEACH MUSIC FESTIVAL:  **
May 21 - 26 2008, for more details click here!

Click here to view other WEEKLY EVENTS

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

JANUARY		EVENT / LOCATION
01	Tuesday
		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 2008. 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	Wednesday
03	Thursday 8:00 PM	FILM NIGHT at Access Art Gallery: Trovatorre II by Guiseppe Verdi at 8:00 p.m. For more information: (297) 588-7837. Fantastic opportunity to buy local art by local artists.
04	Friday 8:00 PM	CARNIVAL HAPPY HOUR WARM-UP PARTY ORANJESTAD VENUE - CAFE BAHIA Contact “Stichting Arubaanse Carnival” SAC at Tel. 297-582-4214 Fax. 297-588-2964 for additional information. The complete Carnival 2008 schedule
05	Saturday 8:00 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 Tel. 297-582-4214  Fax. 297-588-2964 for additional information. The complete Carnival 2008 schedule
06
	Sunday	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.
07	Monday
08	Tuesday	N. M.
	6:30 PM	BON BINI FESTIVAL 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.
09	Wednesday
10	Thursday
11	Friday 7:00 PM	CHILDREN'S CALYPSO & ROADMARCH ORANJESTAD VENUE - ARUBA ENTERTAINMENT CENTER Contact “Stichting Arubaanse Carnival” SAC at Tel. 297-582-4214  Fax. 297-588-2964 for additional information. The complete Carnival 2008 schedule
12	Saturday 7:30 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 Tel. 297-582-4214  Fax. 297-588-2964 for additional information. The complete Carnival 2008 schedule
	5:30 PM	SAVE THE DONKEYS 5K WALK AYO ROCK FORMATION IDEFRE Tel: 297-585-4987 or Fax: 297-583-6478, Email for additional information or participation!
13	Sunday 2:00 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 Tel. 297-582-4214  Fax. 297-588-2964 for additional information. The complete Carnival 2008 schedule
	5:30 PM	URATAKA 5K FUN RUN SANTA CRUZ At the URATAKA CENTER. IDEFRE Tel: 297-585-4987 or Fax: 297-583-6478, Email for additional information or participation!
14	Monday
15	Tuesday	F. Q.
	6:30 PM	BON BINI FESTIVAL 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.
16	Wednesday
17	Thursday
18	Friday
19	Saturday 7:30 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 Tel. 297-582-4214  Fax. 297-588-2964 for additional information. The complete Carnival 2008 schedule
20
	Sunday	CHILDREN'S PARADE 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 Tel. 297-582-4214  Fax. 297-588-2964 for additional information. The complete Carnival 2008 schedule
21	Monday
22	Tuesday	F. M.
	8:30 PM	BAN DJO DJO HAPPENING BALASHI VENUE - BALASHI GARDENS Contact “Stichting Arubaanse Carnival” SAC at Tel. 297-582-4214 Fax. 297-588-2964 for additional information. The complete Carnival 2008 schedule
	6:30 PM	BON BINI FESTIVAL 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.
23	Wednesday
24	Thursday	FULL MOON PARTY @ HAVANA BEACH CLUB At The Havana Beach Club. Dress Code: CARNIVAL EDITION. Youth Extreme, BMW, Exide Music, Danny Platinum, Theo Sanders, Dj Jason. Free Before 12:30 Entrance: 18 years up [id required] (in front of The Talk of the Town Resort) At the Surfside Beach Tel: (297) 582 0153
25	Friday	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.
	5:30 PM	BETICO MEMORIAL 5K & 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 Tel: 297-585-4987 or Fax: 297-583-6478, Email for additional information or participation!
26	Saturday 1:00 PM	CHILDREN'S PARADE NOORD ROUTE - from Bubali Field straight to Centro di Bario Noord Contact “Stichting Arubaanse Carnival” SAC at Tel. 297-582-4214 Fax. 297-588-2964 for additional information. The complete Carnival 2008 schedule
	8:00 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 Tel. 297-582-4214 Fax. 297-588-2964 for additional information. The complete Carnival 2008 schedule
27	Sunday
28	Monday
29	Tuesday 7:00 PM	TOURIST CARNIVAL NIGHT PALM BEACH VENUE - PASEO HERENCIA Contact “Stichting Arubaanse Carnival” SAC at Tel. 297-582-4214 Fax. 297-588-2964 for additional information. The complete Carnival 2008 schedule
	6:30 PM	BON BINI FESTIVAL 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.
30	Wednesday	L. Q.
	8:00 PM	HEBBE HEBBE HAPPENING [People Drinking Heineken Beer] ORANJESTAD VENUE - POST OFFICE The complete Carnival 2008 schedule
31	Thursday 8:00 PM	LIGHTING PARADE [Parada di Luz] 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 Tel. 297-582-4214 Fax. 297-588-2964 for additional information. The complete Carnival 2008 schedule

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FEBRUARY		EVENT / LOCATION
01	Friday
	8:00 PM	CARNIVAL SHOWDOWN "WINDOWS TO THE WORLD" [International Concert] ORANJESTAD VENUE - ARUBA ENTERTAINMENT CENTER Contact “Stichting Arubaanse Carnival” SAC at Tel. 297-582-4214 Fax. 297-588-2964 for additional information. The complete Carnival 2008 schedule
	8:00 PM	JUBU HAPPENING SAN NICOLAS VENUE - IN FRONT OF LAS VEGAS BAR Contact “Stichting Arubaanse Carnival” SAC at Tel. 297-582-4214 Fax. 297-588-2964 for additional information. The complete Carnival 2008 schedule
02	Saturday 4:00 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 Tel. 297-582-4214 Fax. 297-588-2964 for additional information. 2002 pictures, 2001 pictures, 1999 pictures, 1998 pictures. The complete Carnival 2008 schedule
	1:00 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 Tel. 297-582-4214 Fax. 297-588-2964 for additional information. 2005 pictures, 2004 pictures, 2003 pictures, 2002 pictures, 2001 pictures, 2000 pictures, 1999 pictures, 1998 pictures The complete Carnival 2008 schedule
03	Sunday 12:00 PM	ARUBA'S FAMOUS 54TH GRAND PARADE ORANJESTAD ROUTE  - Avenida Milo J. Croes - Vondellaan - L.G. Smith Boulevard - D.O.W. Contact “Stichting Arubaanse Carnival” SAC at Tel. 297-582-4214 Fax. 297-588-2964 for additional information. 2005 pictures, 2004 pictures, 2003 pictures, 2002 pictures, 2001 pictures, 2000 pictures, 1999 pictures, 1998 pictures. The complete Carnival 2008 schedule
04	Monday	CARNIVAL MONDAY National holiday -  official day of rest.
05	Tuesday 6:30 PM	BON BINI FESTIVAL 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.
06	Wednesday	ASH WEDNESDAY
07	Thursday	N. M.
08	Friday
09	Saturday
10	Sunday
11	Monday
12	Tuesday	BON BINI FESTIVAL 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.
13	Wednesday
14	Thursday	F. Q.
		VALENTINE'S DAY
15	Friday
16	Saturday
17	Sunday
18	Monday
19	Tuesday	BON BINI FESTIVAL 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.
20	Wednesday
21	Thursday	F. M.
22	Friday
23	Saturday
24	Sunday	ROTARY FUN RUN 5K Start: Tony Roma's at 5:30 PM Contact Mr. Jesse Beukenboom at IDEFRE tel: 297-585-4987 or Fax: 297-583-6478, Email for additional information or participation!
25	Monday
26	Tuesday	BON BINI FESTIVAL 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.
27	Wednesday
28	Thursday
29	Friday	L. Q.
	08:00 AM + 01:30 PM	SLAVE HERITAGE EXHIBITION at National Archive of Aruba, Sabana Blanco 60, Oranjestad. Time: 8:00 AM - 11:30 AM and 01:30 PM- 4:00 PM. For information: (297) 583 4880

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APRIL		EVENT / LOCATION
01	Tuesday
		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	Wednesday
03	Thursday
04	Friday
05	Saturday
06	Sunday	N. M.
07	Monday
08	Tuesday
09	Wednesday
10	Thursday
11	Friday
12	Saturday	F. Q.
13	Sunday
14	Monday
15	Tuesday
16	Wednesday
17	Thursday
18	Friday
19	Saturday
20	Sunday	F. M.
21	Monday
22	Tuesday	EARTH DAY
23	Wednesday
24	Thursday
25	Friday
26	Saturday	25TH 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	Sunday	25TH 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	Monday	L. Q.
		25TH 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	Tuesday	25TH ROYAL NATIONALS DRAG RACE Contact Roland Arends at Tel.: 297-584-0322 or Fax.: 297-574-3884 or website: ArubaDrag or via E-mail.
	5:30 pm	48TH RBTT INTERNATIONAL BOULEVARD RACE (10 K) Biggest 10 K race on the island with approx. 200 participants from various countries USA, Venezuela, Colombia, Curacao, Holland and Aruba. Race starts at 5:30 pm on the L.G. Smith Blvd and passes on the road of the high-rise hotels to end at the Aruba Ports Authority parking lot. Entry forms will be issued in February. Contact Mr. Jesse Beukenboom at IDEFRE tel: 297-585-4987 or Fax: 297-583-6478, E-mail.
30	Wednesday	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.
		25TH 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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