The Aruba Lighting Parade 2025 was an extraordinary spectacle, featuring a dazzling array of lights, creativity, and musical performances. This year’s parade saw an impressive return of vibrant illuminations, making it one of the most visually striking editions yet.

The event began with a special tribute by SMAC to DOW, the organization that has managed the barricades and also all trash after the parades along the carnival parade routes for decades. In recognition of their unwavering dedication and service, SMAC honored DOW for their vital role in ensuring the safety and success of Aruba’s carnival celebrations and keeping Aruba clean.

Midway through the parade, a special tribute took place in front of the ATA (Aruba Tourism Authority) office, where Grupo di Asambeho paused their performance to receive an honorary recognition. Ms. Derchlien Dijkhof presented a glass plaque to the group’s leader, Mr. Roderich Lopez, in appreciation of their efforts to preserve tradition and inspire future generations with their passion for asambeho music.

Participating Carnival Groups:

1. TOB Carnaval Group – Featuring three dynamic musical bands: Shine Music, GrooveMasters, and Nfuzion. Their parade segment included an opulent float and various sections showcasing luxurious, detailed costumes.
2. Dushi Carnaval Group – Highlighted by Dancers Youth Queen and a float accompanied by renowned musicians Tdrick and percussionist Jennifer van der Biezen, along with Duro providing live musical entertainment. Their Section Youth Queen led the vibrant Massa procession.
3. Empire Carnaval Group – Presented an elegant Queen’s Float, complemented by a stunning Body Piece Section and Massa, all synchronized to the rhythmic beats of Buleria.
4. Champagne Carnaval Group – Brought the energy with Tsunami delivering high-energy music. A relay system ensured seamless sound throughout their Queen’s Float, Body Pieces Section, and Massa Group.
5. Los Laga Bai Carnaval Group – A staple of Aruba’s carnival scene for over three decades, this group featured Robert and his Solo Banda Show as theire house band, with creative costumes showcased by their Massa Group, positioned both at the front and rear of the trailer.
6. Colours Carnaval Group – Introduced an innovative concept featuring a DJ and drummer ensemble to provide an electrifying soundtrack for their Float and Massa Group.
7. Royal Carnaval Group – Delivered a mesmerizing performance with NBO providing live music for their Body Pieces Section and Massa.
8. Aruba Tourist Carnaval Group – Captivated the audience with their Youth Xtreme Band, which provided the soundtrack for a beautifully coordinated display of Body Pieces Section and Massa.

The parade concluded with IMPAK4PLAY, bringing high-energy music to the Last Lap, giving the crowd an opportunity to jump behind the parade and keep the celebration alive. Their performance created an atmosphere for all those who wanted to dance and enjoy the final moments of the Lighting Parade.

Once again, the Aruba Lighting Parade illuminated the night with luxury, color, and spectacular displays, solidifying its place as a premier celebration of culture and creativity.

“Rin tin tin, what will you do with your florin?”

ORANJESTAD – Landsloterij proudly announces the launch of “Rin tin tin, what will you do with your florin?”, a social and community-driven campaign aimed at supporting Aruba’s Carnaval. This campaign provides the people of Aruba with a direct opportunity to contribute to the preservation and development of our Carnaval celebrations.

Your Florin for Carnaval

During the campaign period, 1 florin from every lottery ticket purchase will go directly to SMAC, the organizing body of Aruba’s Carnaval. The funds raised will partially cover the prizes awarded to the Carnaval Queens and help with the costs associated with organizing Carnaval events.

This campaign extends to Curaçao and Bonaire, where proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to UNTAHF in Bonaire and Nos Karnaval in Curaçao.

A Small Contribution with Big Rewards

The “Rin tin tin” campaign adds an exciting twist to the upcoming Landsloterij draw. Every lottery ticket purchase not only supports Carnaval but also gives participants the chance to win big—just as is customary with Landsloterij. More than 1,000 prizes will be up for grabs, including the grand prize of 500,000 florins (half a million florins).

The campaign name, “Rin tin tin”, reflects the thrill of the traditional hide-and-seek game, as we look for and reward those who buy tickets, contribute, and may even win one of these fantastic prizes.

Our Commitment to Cultural Celebrations

Landsloterij Aruba, located at Middenweg 27, Oranjestad (Caya Grandi) and Theaterstraat 6, San Nicolas, remains dedicated to giving back to the community and supporting the preservation of Carnaval. Carnaval is not just a joyful celebration but has also become a strong economic pillar for our country.

With the “Rin tin tin, what will you do with your florin?” campaign, we reinforce our commitment to Aruba’s Carnaval and contribute to its continued success.

Celebrate with Us, Contribute, and Win!

Landsloterij encourages the people of Aruba, especially all Carnaval lovers, not to miss out on this exciting opportunity. Purchase your lottery ticket for a chance to win big monetary prizes while also supporting our beloved Aruba Carnaval.

Rin tin tin – now you know what to do with your florin!

Yesterday evening, the North Sunset Parade commenced at 7:00 PM from Bubali, proceeding towards the Frans Figaroa Stadium before continuing northward and concluding in the early morning hours. The parade was stopped by SMAC near Fermins Bar to give a one-minute moment of silence in honor of the late Chicho Kock who recently passed away. While the event was modest in scale, it featured a vibrant atmosphere, excellent music, and a lively spirit.

Born in the city of San Nicolas on September 2, 1952, Roland Narcisio “Chicho” Kock was an exceptional musician who left an unforgettable mark on the world of music. Throughout his career, he brought us hit after hit, spreading joy and happiness with his talent. He performed with renowned bands such as Sensacion del Caribe, Killing Ringelings in the Netherlands, Musical Time, and Pride.

Chicho was a familiar presence in hotels and remained deeply involved in the music scene throughout his life. His talent extended far beyond singing—he was a skilled musician who played guitar, bass, drums, congas, and timbales. Among his many tumba hits were Pal’i Coco, E Burico, Gago, Burachi’n ta Conta, 100%, Duro Duro, Wals pa Mamai, but his most beloved song was the ballad Keda So, a deeply personal composition inspired by his own experiences.

Chicho Kock participated in the Tumba Festival 39 times, making it to the finals on 36 occasions and earning the title of Rey di Tumba (King of Tumba) four times, in 1985, 1997, 2001, and 2004.

At the age of 72, Chicho has taken his eternal flight, but his music and legacy will live on forever.

Chicho, thank you for your dedication, passion, and contributions to Aruba’s Tumba music.

May you rest in peace.

On Sunday, February 16th, the streets of Oranjestad came alive with the vibrant energy of the Grand Children’s Carnival Parade. The event featured seven carnival groups, including:

1. Centro di Bario Noord
2. Champagne Kids
3. Don Flip Carnival Group
4. TOB Kids
5. Empire Kids
6. Unity
7. Little Groovers

Musical was provided by renowned bands such as NBO, Tsunami, Youth Extreme, Nfuzion, Buleria, Hot Ones Band, and Groove Masters. From the early hours, the streets were filled with atmosphere as children and spectators immersed themselves in the dazzling display of costumes, music, and celebration.

Congratulations to Aruba for offering young participants the opportunity to experience the magic of Carnival, and a special acknowledgment to SMAC for its efforts in organizing such a spectacular event.

Today, Setar and SMAC had the honor of hosting a special event where Setar officially presented the prestigious awards to the Royals of Carnaval 71. In attendance were all the Prins y Pancho in every category, all the Queens in every category, as well as all the Monarchs in the Calypso, Soca, and Tumba categories.

On Friday, February 7, 2025, the grand finale of Festival di Tumba Korsow 2025 took place at the Curaçao Festival Center. Among the 30 finalists, three artists performed alongside the Aruban band Buleria.

The night was filled with fierce competition, with standout performances from the two favorite bands of the evening, Icons and One Flavor. The judges faced a tough decision, as the final scores were incredibly close. However, they did an outstanding job, and the audience accepted the results with enthusiasm.

Here are the final results:

Reina di Tumba 2025: Jefdaney “J’Dey.M” Manuela
1st Finalist: Sharrel “Adjatay” Denisia
2nd Finalist: Amos “Amoreusz” Balentin
3rd Finalist: Michelangelo “MJ” Martina
4th Finalist: Djuric “Djudju V” Virginie

Last Saturday, on February 8, 2025, the Aruba Soca Monarch festival came back to life with a packed venue. A total of 30 finalists competed, accompanied by 14 bands. From the first band, Groovemasters with “Blacky,” to the last performer of the night, “Queen Shine” with Nfuzion, the atmosphere was filled with energy, great music, and an incredible show from each artist.

The results of the night were as follows:

Aruba Soca Monarch 2025: Freddy Rasta with “Tsunami”
2nd finalist: Queen Shine with “Nfuzion”
3rd finalist: Galloway with “Tsunami”
4th finalist: T-Money with “Groove Masters”
5th finalist: Blacky with “Groove Masters”

At the break of dawn, just after 5 AM, Aruba welcomed its new Soca Monarch 2025—“Freddy Rasta” Malaghy Richardson with his song “1 for unity” With a powerful composition co-written by Malaghy Richardson “Freddy Rasta” and “Jeon” Jonathan Thiel, and backed by the dynamic sounds of Tsunami Band, Malaghy has secured the title this year. Additionally, Rygel Isabella was recognized as Best Arranger, further highlighting the outstanding musical talent that contributed to this unforgettable performance.

His electrifying performance and undeniable stage presence captivated both the judges and the crowd, solidifying his reign as Aruba’s Soca King.

Stay tuned for full coverage of the festival and more updates on Aruba’s thriving music scene!

Last night marked the final preparations for the highly anticipated closing night of the Tumba Festival Curaçao. Every logistical detail was meticulously coordinated to ensure a smooth and well-organized event, allowing both the live audience and those who purchased the PPV (Pay-Per-View) access to fully enjoy an unforgettable musical spectacle.

Tonight’s grand finale promises an electrifying showcase of talent, with some of Aruba’s, Bonaire’s and from Curacao top bands taking the stage in the following order:

1. Excellence
2. X-Scape Music
3. Quality Sound
4. ERA
5. Catipa
6. ICONS
7. Tempo Music
8. Gentz Tre’Chic
9. Highway Band
10. ONE Flavaz
11. Buleria

With a lineup featuring some of the most renowned and dynamic bands in the industry, this final night of Tumba Festival Curaçao promises to be a celebration of rhythm, culture, and musical excellence. Stay tuned for an unforgettable experience!