Curacao hosts Carnival with Dutch Caribbean flavour road marches brass bands and island style night parades.
What to Expect
Curaçao builds its carnival from New Year all the way to Ash Wednesday, and Willemstad's pastel waterfront makes it one of the most photogenic roads anywhere. The Gran Marcha is the main event — a full day of groups moving through the capital — and the season closes with King Momo burned at midnight, taking the year's troubles with him. The Tumba Festival in January picks the song that will dominate everything that follows.
Carnival weekend falls on 7–10 February in 2027, after weeks of build-up from early January
Gran Marcha (Grand Parade) in Willemstad is the main road day and the season's centrepiece
Tumba Festival chooses the road anthem in January, and it rules the parades from then on
Farewell Parade ends with the burning of King Momo at midnight
Papiamentu-language tumba and roadmarch alongside soca — a genuinely different sound
Places to Stay
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Ride-Hailing Apps
Uber
Available in Willemstad and surrounding areas.
Mas Bands
Fetes & Events
Things To Do
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Getting There
Hato International Airport
Getting Around
Public transport is the Konvoi minibus network plus larger ABC buses, radiating from Punda and Otrobanda in Willemstad.
Minibuses leave when full rather than to a timetable; flag them from the roadside.
Driving is on the right.
Willemstad's two halves are joined by the Queen Emma pontoon bridge, which swings open for ships — when it does, a free ferry covers the gap.
A hire car is worth it for the western beaches, which the bus network barely reaches.
Typical Costs from the UK
Estimates only — prices vary by airline, timing and section choice. Use the budget calculator to build your own breakdown.
When to Book
Curaçao's carnival builds from early January, with the main weekend falling on 7–10 February in 2027 and the Farewell Parade closing it on the eve of Ash Wednesday. KLM flies Amsterdam to Hato International (CUR); there is no direct UK service. February is high season, so book accommodation in Willemstad or Pietermaai by October. Group registration opens in the autumn and costumes cost considerably less than on the English-speaking islands. One tip worth acting on: follow the Tumba Festival in January, because the winning song becomes the road anthem and you will want to arrive already knowing it.
Plan This Carnival
🎭 Feb
MUAs & Photographers for Carnival
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