The ACSM 2026 Prize Award Event took place this past Tuesday night at The Casino at St. Regis Aruba. The event, organized by Stichting Musica, was held to officially recognize the winners and finalists from this year’s competition.

The evening ran from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM and brought together the artists, the people who wrote the songs (composers and arrangers), and the sponsors who supported the event. Members of the local press and media were also there to cover the highlights.

A Night for the Creators

The event focused on giving credit to everyone involved in making the music. This included:

• The Artists: The singers and performers who won or made it to the finals.
• The Team Behind the Music: The composers and arrangers who created the songs.
• The Supporters: Branding partners and sponsors who helped fund and promote the season.

Recognizing Hard Work

It was a simple but meaningful night. Instead of just a big show, it was a chance for people to meet in person and say “congratulations.” Stichting Musica made sure that the people working behind the scenes, like the songwriters, got just as much credit as the people on stage.

By the end of the night, it was clear that the local music scene is strong and has a lot of support from the community.

ORANJESTAD, ARUBA – As the sun dipped below the horizon this past Sunday, February 15, 2026, the energy in Oranjestad only intensified. Following the spectacular opening by the first four powerhouses—TOB, Dushi, Los Laga Bai, and HEPA DMC Society—the second half of the 72nd Grand Carnival Parade raised the bar even higher.

The streets remained a sea of movement as the final four groups brought the “Grand” to the Grand Parade, proving why Aruba’s Carnival is a world-class cultural phenomenon.

The Final Four: A Symphony of Color and Sound

The second half of the procession was a masterclass in Aruban creativity, featuring veteran groups and legendary musical ensembles that kept the “jump-up” spirit alive until the very last meter:

The Burning of King Momo

The festivities reached their symbolic and fiery conclusion at the Aruba Harbour Arena. In a tradition that dates back decades, the legendary King Momo—the spirit of Carnival—was read his “will” and set ablaze.

The burning of the oversized effigy signifies the end of the indulgence and the beginning of the Lenten season. As the flames rose against the night sky, participants shared a final “last lap,” dancing around the bonfire in a bittersweet farewell to the 72nd edition.

“The fire of King Momo doesn’t just end the party; it cleanses the island. We burn the spirit of excess so we can return to our daily lives with a renewed heart, already dreaming of next year.” — A long-time Carnival participant

A Season for the Record Books

With the embers of King Momo fading, Aruba now transitions into a period of rest. This 2026 season was marked by a stunning return to massive participation and a heavy emphasis on live music, solidifying the island’s reputation as the “One Happy Island” with “One Big Heartbeat.”

ORANJESTAD, ARUBA – The rhythm of the Caribbean took full control of the streets this past Sunday, February 15, 2026, as Aruba celebrated the pinnacle of its cultural calendar: the 72nd Grand Carnival Parade.

Under a brilliant Aruban sun, thousands of participants and spectators gathered in the capital to witness a spectacle of feathers, sequins, and infectious energy. This year’s parade featured 8 premier carnival groups, each bringing a unique theme and a wall of sound that vibrated through downtown Oranjestad.

As we kick off our special coverage of this historic 72nd edition, we are highlighting the first four groups that set the pace for an unforgettable Sunday.

The Opening Vanguard: The First 4 Groups

Below are the groups that led the procession, showcasing the sheer scale and craftsmanship of Aruban Mas:

A Feast for the Senses

The parade route, stretching from the Aruba Entertainment Center through the heart of the city, was lined with “kiosks” and family tents. The air was filled with the scent of local snacks and the sounds of the latest Caiso & Soca Monarch hits.

According to SMAC (Stichting Maneho di Aruba su Carnaval), the level of detail in this year’s costumes has set a new benchmark, with many groups incorporating sustainable materials into their massive floats.

“Carnival 72 is more than just a parade; it’s a heartbeat. Seeing the creativity of these first four groups reminds us why Aruba is the premier Carnival destination of the Caribbean.” — Local Spectator

The streets of San Nicolas were transformed into a shimmering kaleidoscope of color and sound last night as the annual Parada di Luz (Parade of Lights) made its triumphant return. Residents and visitors lined the sidewalks to witness one of the most visually stunning events of the Carnival season.

The event was characterized by a “simple yet colorful” charm—proving that you don’t need over-the-top complexity to create magic when you have high-energy participants and brilliant displays.

Pure Rhythm and “Ambiente”

The atmosphere, or ambiente, was the true star of the night. The energy was high from start to finish, proving once again why San Nicolas is the soulful heart of Aruban Carnival. The night saw:

• 9 Musical Bands: The island’s top musical powerhouses provided their soundtrack, each atop trailers adorned with thousands of twinkling LEDs.
• A Rhythmic Brassband: Adding a raw, soulful pulse to the procession, the brassband brought that authentic local flavor that got the entire crowd moving.
• Vibrant Visuals: While the setups were straightforward, the explosion of colors from the costumes and light displays created a mesmerizing effect against the night sky.

A Safe and Successful Night

Perhaps the most celebrated news of the evening was the seamless execution of the event. Despite the large crowds and intense ambiente, the parade concluded without incident.

Local authorities and organizers praised the public for their exemplary behavior. The smooth flow of the parade allowed families to enjoy the spectacle in a safe, festive environment, ensuring that the focus remained exactly where it belonged: on the culture, the music, and the community spirit.

“It was Carnival at its best,” noted one spectator. “The music was not loud, the lights were bright, and the vibes were just right. This is exactly how a parade should be.”

With the Parada di Luz now in the books, the momentum for the Carnival season continues to build toward the Grand Parades this weekend.

SAN NICOLAS, Aruba — The “Sunrise City” lived up to its name yesterday, Sunday, February 8, as the 72nd Aruba Carnival season continued its journey through the streets of San Nicolas. Thousands of spectators lined the sidewalks to witness the Grand Children’s Carnival Parade, a vibrant display of youth creativity, culture, and pure island joy.

The parade, which kicked off at 1:00 PM from the Joe Laveist Sport Park, featured hundreds of kids and young “carnivalistas” dressed in spectacular, shimmering costumes. From tiny butterflies and superheroes to intricate themes representing Aruban nature and folklore, the children danced with tireless energy to the infectious rhythms of local soca hits.

Highlights of the Afternoon

The event was a true family affair, characterized by:

• Youthful Royalty: The 2026 Children’s Queens and Kings led their respective groups, showcasing elaborate road-pieces and floats that rivaled the adult parades in detail.
• Local Rhythms: Music trucks and brass bands provided the heartbeat of the parade, with special appearances by this year’s Youth Tumba and Roadmarch winners, including Melody Franken and Dacing Cay, who delighted the crowds.
• Community Spirit: Unlike the larger capital parade, the San Nicolas edition is cherished for its intimate, community-driven atmosphere, where neighbors and families cheer on the next generation of Carnival traditions.

The Burning of Momito

As the sun began to set over San Nicolas, the festivities transitioned from the road to the Aruba Carnival & Entertainment Village for one of the season’s most symbolic traditions: the Burning of Momito.

At approximately 8:30 PM, the spirit of the children’s Carnival—embodied by the effigy of Momito (the “little” King Momo)—was set ablaze. This ceremony marks the official end of the children’s portion of the Carnival calendar.

“The Burning of Momito is a bittersweet moment,” said one local parent. “It’s a way for the kids to say goodbye to the magic of the season, while teaching them the cycle of renewal that Carnival represents. We burn the old to make room for the new next year.”

What’s Next?

While the children have had their final “jump-up,” the adult festivities are only just reaching their peak. The island now prepares for a high-intensity week leading into the Grand Parades:

The energy remains high as Aruba moves toward the final “burning” next Sunday, which will officially close the 2026 Carnival season before the start of Lent.

The streets of Oranjestad pulsed with Soca and LED brilliance last night, February 7, as the  Grand Lighting Parade showcased the island’s premier Carnival groups. For the music community, the parade served as a mobile festival of the season’s top “Road March” contenders.

The Groups & Their Soundscapes

The lineup featured a heavy-hitting roster, each paired with massive sound trucks (“road pieces”) that delivered concert-grade audio:

• TOB Carnival Group: Leading the charge with Aruba Carnival Queen 2026, Gabriela Croes, TOB embraced a Wild West Cowboys theme. Their sound truck delivered a punchy mix of brass-heavy Soca that kept the “jump-up” energy at a peak.
• Empire Carnival Group: Presented Luminara – Tribe of Light. For musicians, Empire is often the gold standard for audio-visual integration; their sound setup was perfectly synced with pulsating gold and white LED arrays.
• Los Laga Bai: With their Electric Jungle theme, this group featured Live Band RSBS. The live instrumentation provided a raw, organic grit that stood out against the heavy digital tracks of the night.
• Dushi Carnival Group: Explored Chromatika – Nomads Beyond Illusion. Dushi is known for high-tempo pacing, focusing on the fast-twitch rhythms of the 2026 Road March hits.
• Champagne Carnival Group: A veteran powerhouse that focused on deep bass and heritage rhythms, ensuring the crowd stayed in a constant state of “flow” through the capital.
• Royal Carnival Group: Delivered Escape Into The Beyond, using futuristic synth-heavy tracks to match their ethereal lighting displays.
• Colours Carnival Group & HEPA DMC Society: These groups rounded out the parade with eclectic playlists, blending the season’s top Soca hits with the infectious beat of Tumba, Aruba’s cultural rhythmic heartbeat.
• HEPA DMC Society officially kicked off the 72nd Carnival season back in November 2025 . Their theme for 2026, “Cana Kibra den Carnaval 72”, translates to a high-energy, “all-out” festive spirit that was palpable during last night’s Lighting Parade.

The streets of Noord were transformed into a vibrant sea of color and rhythm yesterday evening as the North International Sunset Parade took center stage. From the early afternoon, the atmosphere was with a lot of music on the side of the road, with locals and visitors lining the route to secure their spots for one of the most anticipated events of the season.

The parade was a masterclass in Caribbean celebration. As the sun dipped below the horizon, the music took over, keeping the crowd on their feet from the first float to the final beat.

A Model for the Season

Perhaps the most impressive part of the night wasn’t just the music or the costumes, but the spirit of the crowd. The event concluded smoothly with a positive, peaceful vibe—proving that you can have a massive party without any trouble.

As we look forward to the remaining parades on the schedule, Noord has set a fantastic example:

• Early Arrival: Fans showed up early to build the “ambiente.”
• Community Respect: A celebration focused on music and culture.
• Safety First: A flawless execution from start to finish.

Let’s keep this momentum going! As we dive deeper into the Carnival season, let’s follow Noord’s lead: Celebrate hard, stay safe, and keep the music playing.

Check out the gallery below to see the highlights and the incredible energy from last night’s festivities!

Oranjestad was absolutely glowing on Sunday afternoon! Our kids brought so much energy, rhythm, and joy to the streets, making this year’s Parada di Mucha one for the books. From the dazzling colors to those massive smiles, the island’s future is looking brighter than ever!

The spirit of San Nicolas was high this past Sunday morning as Aruba crowned its new Soca Monarch for 2026: Lord Lally. In a night defined by high-energy performances and an underdog story for the ages, Lord Lally proved that the voice of the people is the most powerful instrument in Carnival.

The Ultimate Comeback

Lord Lally’s journey to the crown was nothing short of cinematic. After initially falling short of the top 30 finalists during the pre-finals, his journey seemed over. However, the Aruban public had other plans. In a massive show of digital support, Lally secured over 7,000 online votes, earning him the coveted Wildcard spot for the grand finale.

He didn’t just show up to the Carnival Village; he conquered it. Transforming “the impossible into the possible,” his performance of the infectious hit “Lizard Kaking” sent the crowd into a frenzy, ultimately securing him the title of King.

A Night of Endurance and Energy

The evening wasn’t without its hurdles. The festival faced a significant, unexplained delay mid-program that tested the patience of the Carnival faithful. However, once the music resumed, the momentum never wavered and everybody was waiting for the grand performance of Lord Lally. Despite the sun threatening to rise, a massive audience stayed glued to their spots until the final notes were played around 5:00 AM.

The 2026 Soca Monarch Top 5:

The competition was fierce, featuring some of the island’s most seasoned performers. Here is how the leaderboard stood at the end of the night:

• Winner: Lord Lally – “Lizard Kaking”
• 2nd Place: Diamond Chip – “Born in Soca”
• 3rd Place: Tattto – “Right or Wrong”
• 4th Place: Galloway – “Turn Around”
• 5th Place: Mitch Almary – “Kukuchu”

This victory serves as a reminder of the evolving landscape of Soca, where digital engagement and grassroots support can propel an artist to the highest stage. Congratulations to Lord Lally and all the finalists for elevating Aruban Carnival to new heights.

On January 26th, at the Scol di Arte, the 10th edition of the Calypso Heritage Week was organized by Gregory Richardson. During this event, titled “Love and Calypso in a refinery town,” there was a focus on storytelling, specifically the story of San Nicolas. The story took place between the 1950s and late 1980s and centered around a couple who migrated to Aruba, met there during the days of the Lago, and fell in love.

As the story continues, it follows the couple through different phases of what was happening in Aruba at the time. While the story is fictional, it is inspired by real events—the days of the Lago and San Nicolas when things were “booming” and popular. The event blended this story with historical facts based on research, accompanied by various songs—mainly calypso, but also some merengue and ballads.

Each song performed by different calypsonians and community performers told a story about specific periods in Aruba’s history. The performance sequence included:

• St. Maarten: The National Anthem.
• Dominican Republic: Featuring a rendition of Juan Luis Guerra and the 4.40 song “Guavaberry,” representing the path of many island immigrants.
• Curaçao: Followed by a move to the next stage of the journey.
• Aruba: Featuring the late Aruban calypsonian Young Quick silver’s “The Village Good and the Village Bad,” and Lord Boxoe expressing his love for San Nicolas and the Lago through music.
• Other Performances: Included “Gege” (one of his famous songs), “When the Village Burning Down,” and “When Lago Closes Its Doors”.
• The Mighty Sparrow: A love story about “Maria” in connection with Aruba.
• Conclusion: The event concluded with Mighty Talent’s song, “There’s No Place Like Aruba,” finalizing the journey through various historical periods via musical accompaniment.