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.

In Part 2 of our exclusive sit-down, Lord Lally transports us back to the golden age of Aruban Calypso. This wasn’t just an interview; it was a masterclass in cultural history.

As the “New Generation” listened, Lord Lally best know as Soilo Sanchez breathed life into the stories of the island’s pioneers—the titans who turned the local struggles and triumphs of Aruba into the rhythm of the people. From the legendary wit of Lord Boxoe to the fierce lyrical battles in the early tents, Lally reminded us that today’s stage was built by the sweat of giants.

“In my day, we had the truth and a drum,” Lally shared. “If your truth wasn’t strong, the music didn’t matter.”

By naming the names and sharing the secrets of those who came before, Lord Lally isn’t just telling stories; he is ensuring that the soul of Aruba’s Carnival musical heritage is never forgotten.

Following a high-energy opening, the second night of the Aruba Soca Monarch Pre-Finals at Centro di Bario Brazil kept the momentum surging. While the first night set a high bar, Wednesday evening brought an even deeper selection of new Soca releases, with established powerhouses and rising stars battling for a coveted spot in the finals.

The atmosphere was electric as the final group of performers took the stage, pushing the total to 59 songs for the competition. By the end of the night, the official list of 30 finalists was solidified. These performers are now preparing to take the massive stage at the Aruba Carnival Village on Saturday, January 31, where the true King or Queen of Soca for Carnaval 72 will be crowned.

The “Wildcard” Twist: You Decide the 31st Finalist!

In an exciting move to involve the fans, Stichting Musica has officially opened a “Wildcard” poll. This gives a second chance to one talented participant who didn’t make the initial cut of 30.

The public now has the power to vote for their favorite non-classified singer to become the 31st participant on the final night.

• Where to vote: Visit the Stichting Musica Facebook Page.
• Impact: Your vote could change the course of the competition and bring a fan-favorite back to the big stage!

More Highlights: Pre-Finals Gallery

Below, dive into more exclusive photos from the second night at Brazil. From the vibrant stage presence to the intense focus of the backing bands, these images capture the heart of Aruban music culture.

After a high-energy week of the Aruba Soca Monarch pre-finals, the island is buzzing with fresh rhythms for Carnaval 72. Held this past Tuesday and Wednesday nights at the Centro di Bario Brazil, the festival drew a packed crowd eager to witness a mix of seasoned veterans and a promising new wave of “Rookie” vocalists.

A total of 59 songs were performed over the two nights, showcasing the evolving sound of Aruban Soca. After deliberation by the judges, the field has been narrowed down to the 30 finalists who will move on to compete for the crown at the Aruba Carnival Village 31 January 2026.

Below, you can check out the gallery capturing the highlights, the fashion, and the raw stage presence from the first night of performances.

In July 2025, we had the incredible honor of sitting down with a true icon of our culture—the legendary Lord Lally.

This wasn’t your typical commercial interview. This was a raw, spontaneous, and heartfelt bridge between generations. We brought together the New Generation of Calypsonians to ask the questions they’ve always wanted to ask, gaining wisdom from a man who has paved the way for us all.

Lord Lally’s contribution to Calypso is immeasurable, and he deserves every bit of recognition and respect we can give. This is about preserving our history and celebrating a titan of the art form while he is here to share his story with us.

Stay tuned for Part 1 of this 2-part series.

The rhythm of Tumba has spoken! Aruba has officially crowned its new Tumba Kings and Queen for the 72nd Carnival season. In a night filled with excellent arrangements, lyrical wit, and unmatched “ambiente,” the local music community came together to showcase the island’s prestigious musical tradition of Tumba.

Here are the official results across the categories:

Tumba Grandi (Adult Category)

The main event saw Roderick “Rocco” Franken take the prestigious title of Rey di Tumba with the song “Decreto Official.” The composition and arrangement, both handled by Dwight Leoneta, secured the top spot.

• Rey di Tumba: Roderick “Rocco” Franken (Decreto Official)
• 1st Finalista: Jorienne Angela (Tene Wanta den Gloria)
• 2nd Finalista: Chantal Quant (Aruba Alerta)
• Tumba Loco Winner: Gino Petrocchi (Bati’e P’e Sali)

Special Awards (Grandi):

• Best Costume: Jorienne Angela
• Mas Popular: Edgar “Popy” Kock
• Rookie of the Year: Chantal Quant
• Best Composition & Arrangement: Decreto Official (Dwight Leoneta)

Tumba Hubenil (Youth Category)

The youth category proved that the future of Tumba is in capable hands. Melody Franken dominated the evening, taking home the crown of Reina di Tumba Hubenil with her performance of “Ban Cumi.”

• Reina di Tumba Hubenil: Melody Franken (Ban Cumi)
• 2nd Place: Jaylon Machado (Amor)
• 3rd Place: Stephanie Quant (Ey mi ta bay)

Special Awards (Hubenil):

• Best Costume: Jaylon Machado
• Mas Popular: Melody Franken
• Mas Ambiente: Melody Franken
• Rookie of the Year: Jaylon Machado

Tumba Infantil (Children’s Category)

The youngest performers also shined, with Jaymerson Kelly being crowned Rey di Tumba Infantil.

• Rey di Tumba Infantil: Jaymerson Kelly (Oloshi Cana Pami).
• 2nd Place: Hailey Koolman (Ban Carg’e).

Special Awards (Infantil):

• Best Costume: Jaymerson Kelly.
• Mas Popular: Hailey Koolman.
• Mas Ambiente: Jaymerson Kelly.
• Rookie of the Year: Jaymerson Kelly.

Behind the Music

A special shout-out goes to the composers and arrangers who are the backbone of this festival. Names like Dwight Leoneta, Chendell Beaumont, Quincy Hasham, Raul Piar, Tattoo, Janiro Eisden and Rygel Emanuel Isabella were instrumental in bringing these winning sounds to life. Also want to mention the great job of Judges who had it dificult.

Congratulations to all the participants, musicians, and winners who continue to keep our cultural heritage alive.

ORANJESTAD, ARUBA – The Carnival Village was on fire last night as the next generation of musical talent took center stage for the Calypso and Roadmarch Festival 2026 Infantil & Hubenil. The venue was packed with supporters, and the solid sounds of 6 bands, proving that the future of Aruba’s Carnival music is in very capable hands.

From heartfelt Calypso messages to high-octane Roadmarch anthems, the young participants showcased incredible singing, stage presence, and creativity. Congratulations to all the participants for their dedication and for keeping the cultural heartbeat of Aruba alive!

Infantil Category (Children’s)

The Infantil division brought pure joy to the stage. Ashandric Richardson, performing as Jammer Jr., dominated the night by taking home the Calypso King crown with his song “Help Me,” while also securing a third-place finish in the Roadmarch competition and the “Mas Popular” award.

In the Roadmarch race, Adeliza Henriquez (Queen Fantasy) captivated the judges and the crowd with “Dutch Troopers,” earning her the title of Roadmarch Queen.

Special Awards:

• Best Costume: Hailey Philips
• Mas Ambiente: Adeliza Henriquez
• Mas Popular: Ashandric Richardson
• Rookie of the Year: Zaidyen Danker

Calypso Results:

• KING: Ashandric Richardson (Jammer Jr.) – “Help Me”
• 2nd Place: Carl Jr. Roosberg (Galloway Jr.) – “In My Dreams”

Roadmarch Results:

• QUEEN: Adeliza Henriquez (Queen Fantasy) – “Dutch Troopers”
• 2nd Place: Zaidyen Danker (Johnny Boy) – “Johnny Boy The Instructor”
• 3rd Place: Ashandric Richardson (Jammer Jr.) – “Carnaval is a Party”

Hubenil Category (Youth)

The competition in the Hubenil division was fierce, with seasoned young performers delivering professional-grade arrangements. Caylee Pietersz (Dancing Cay) was crowned Calypso Queen for her powerful performance of “We Calling for Change,” a song that resonated deeply with the audience.

The Roadmarch King title went to Brayden Elisabeth (Stinging B Junior), whose infectious track “Tribe Chief” turned the Carnival Village into one massive jump-up. Justin Trenidad also had a standout night, sweeping the “Mas Ambiente” and “Mas Popular” awards.

Special Awards:

• Best Costume: Reanne Ras
• Mas Ambiente: Justin Trenidad
• Mas Popular: Justin Trenidad

Calypso Results:

• QUEEN: Caylee Pietersz (Dancing Cay) – “We Calling for Change”
• 2nd Place: Ivy-Anne Browne (Queen Ivy) – “Always Number One”

Roadmarch Results:

• KING: Brayden Elisabeth (Stinging B Junior) – “Tribe Chief”
• 2nd Place: Reanne Ras (Reanne) – “What Time is it”
• 3rd Place: Caylee Fraser (Queen C) – “You Belong”
• 4th Place: Stephanie Quant (Stephanie) – “Carnaval Possess Meh”

Summary of Main Winners