Aruba’s carnival spirit is heading “p’ariba” (up-south) this year! A major move for Carnaval 72, the Stichting Maneho di Carnaval Aruba (SMAC) has officially announced that all its signature events will be hosted at the Carnival Village in San Nicolas.

This strategic shift comes through a new powerhouse alliance between SMAC, Ambiensis Entertainment, and Stichting Musica. The goal? To streamline production quality, maximize cost efficiency, and finally utilize the Carnival Village for its true purpose.

“In 2014, Carnival Village was inaugurated, and it is only right that we use it and honor its purpose,” stated Larissa Bermudez of SMAC.

Why the Move Matters

While SMAC has hosted events in San Nicolas before, logistical hurdles and high individual production costs often made it difficult. This three-way collaboration aims to solve those issues, signaling a long-term commitment to completing the Carnival Village project and keeping future event costs low for the community.

The Scedule: “Ambiente den 72”

The festivities kick off this weekend. Here is your schedule for the major competitions at Carnival Village:

Ticketing & Viewing Options

Whether you want to be in the heart of San Nicolas or watch from your couch, there are options for every fan:

• In-Person Tickets: Available via pay.aw.
  • Adults: Awg 25
  • Children: Awg 15
  • VIP Seating: Awg 50
• Pay-Per-View (PPV): Can’t make it to the Village? Catch the “Ambiente den 72” package featuring all five events for Awg 115 at isladicarnaval.com.

For event layouts, entry rules, and official flyers, follow Isla di Carnaval on Facebook and Instagram.

Aruba’s favorite season is officially here! Carnival 72 came into life yesterday, January 3rd, with a record-breaking Parad’i Flambeu.

More than 10,000 participants took to the streets of Oranjestad, lighting up the night and with high-energy music. The massive turnout sets a powerful tone for the rest of the 2026 season, proving that the spirit of Carnival is stronger than ever.

Last Saturday, the Renaissance Convention Center was packed to capacity for Euforia 2025, a spectacular concert headlined by Aruban star Edjean Semeleer. From the moment the doors opened, the venue filled with an audience eager to experience what turned out to be a masterclass in musical storytelling.

A Night of Raw Emotion and High Energy

The concert was a journey through a vast landscape of emotions. Edjean balanced high-energy rhythms and infectious joy with moments of deep nostalgia and sadness. It wasn’t just a performance, it was a collection of “unforgettable memories” shared between the artist and his fans.

The production value was elevated by high-class orchestra, whose precision and talent provided a rich backdrop for Semeleer’s versatile vocals.

Highlights of the Evening

The show featured several standout segments that kept the crowd engaged from start to finish:

• Mariachi Magic: One of the most talked-about sections featured Semeleer accompanied by a traditional Mariachi ensemble, bringing a soulful, classic flair to the stage.
• A Grand Finale: To close the night, Edjean delivered a “broche de oro” by performing the Dande—Aruba’s traditional New Year’s musical blessing electrified by the powerful addition of a live brass band.

The atmosphere remained high throughout the night, with the audience remaining in high spirits until the final note. Euforia 2025 proved once again why Edjean Semeleer remains a cornerstone of the local music scene, blending tradition with modern spectacle flawlessly.

On Saturday, December 13, 2025, the highly anticipated “Juan Luis Guerra Live in Paradise 2025” concert took place at the Aruba Harbour Arena.

The event kicked off with entertainment at the food court featuring music from the talented Trio Steven van Ramhorst, Lilly Rodgers, and Elijah Wester.

At precisely 6:30 PM, Buleria began their performance, delighting the crowd with their infectious sound. Following Buleria was Robert su Solo Banda Show, who kept the high-energy vibe going.

A Tribute to Local Legends

The evening also included special tributes to two local music figures:

• Robert Jeandor: The Director of the Aruba Tourism Authority (ATA), Ronella Croes, presented a plaque to the family of Robert Jeandor.
• Hildward Croes: Minister Wendrick Cicilia presented a plaque to Hildward Croes’ father.

Immediately following the tributes, Grupo di Betico took the stage, getting everyone on their feet and setting a fantastic atmosphere in the venue.

The Main Event

During the next break, the audience was treated to a set by Alex Sensation. By this time, the venue was practically full, ready for the main act.

Juan Luis Guerra finally began his show with a perfect spectacle of visuals, lighting, and sound. The audience thoroughly enjoyed every moment, from the very first song until the end. Juan Luis Guerra even gave the audience two extra songs as an encore (ñapa).

Elite Productions looks back on this event as a production of their dream come true and was extremely satisfied with the result.

ORANJESTAD, ARUBA – December 8, 2025 – The streets of Weststraat in Downtown Oranjestad was alive yesterday, December 7th, as the Vibracion Cultural x Downtown Food & Art Festival successfully attracted a large crowd from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM. The event, a collaboration highlighting local culture, arts, and cuisine, was a major success for the downtown revitalization efforts.

Music and Performance Highlights

The cultural program began at 6:00 PM with an impressive presentation from the Leer Orkest, setting an inspiring ambiance.

• Skale and Rumba Caribeña energized the audience with their repertoire of Pop Rock, American Rock and Latin songs throughout the evening.
• FIREWORK SHOW: At 9:45PM, a spectacular display of fireworks lit up the night sky.
• Chicas Gaiteras: Following the fireworks, the celebrated group took the stage to close the festival with their traditional Aruban Gaita music, ending the night at 11:00 PM.

🛍️ Arts, Fashion, and Craftsmanship

The festival’s heart was the expansive marketplace featuring 40+ Market Vendors. Patrons explored a diverse selection of locally created goods, with Arts, Jewelry, Soaps, Scrubs, and Fashion. This platform provided invaluable exposure and support for Aruba’s creative entrepreneurs.

Organized by Impac Hub & Music Hub Aruba, and made possible by Vibracion Cultural Vol. 3, the festival was a vibrant showcase of community spirit and artistic excellence.

Grupo di Betico started their annual end-of-year Paranda for the 2025 season this past Friday, December 5th.

They began the festive celebrations at the  Plaza Cafe, where every year they set a wonderful ambiance for the crowd present.

Stay tuned for their new production, which will be released in the coming days.

ORANJESTAD — On Saturday, November 29, 2025, Chicas Gaiteras presented a historic performance at a completely packed Renaissance Convention Center. The group held a spectacular Gala Show Concert where the audience remained fascinated from the very first note until the final performance of the traditional Dande.

The evening was filled with highlights, including a deeply emotional moment during the performance of the song “Wela.” Originally popularized by the late Carolyn Kelly, the song was beautifully performed last night by her daughter, Kayla, moving the crowd.

Additionally, a timeless classic performed by Moira Pavel-van Lis proved to be such a crowd favorite that the band performed it twice at the request of the audience.

To mark the occasion, dignitaries Minister Mike Eman and Minister Wendrick Cicilia presented Chicas Gaiteras with an official recognition. The award honored the group’s significant contribution to Aruban culture and their legacy of bringing joy to the people of Aruba through their Christmas music for 40 years.

The concert by OZONE at the “Ban den caya bek” event took place last Friday, October 31st.

The Halloween setting helped create a Rock-style Halloween atmosphere. As always, OZONE, with its variety of repertoire, successfully brought American and Latin Rock vibes to the street.

Last Sunday, the new tipico  group “AWARRI”organized “Ambiente Cunuco crioyo”. It was a very enjoyable afternoon where the public enjoyed a variety of local criollo food and nice cold drinks. The afternoon featured entertainment from the ‘Bienvenido’  (Caha di orgel), as well as music from the ‘Touch of Steel’ steelpan Duo. The tipico group ‘AWARRI’ closed the evening’s entertainment. That afternoon they presented their new son ” Cabrito Gañado”. Their favorite mascot was present. They can look back on a successful event and hope to soon continue with more activities like this, conserving our culture.

The Aruba Tourism Authority (A.T.A.) recently concluded another successful weekend for its Autentico 2025 festival.

The festival started off with “Restaurant Week,” which ran from October 11th to the 17th of October. Participating restaurants across Aruba offered special menus at reduced prices. The main event, the Autentico Pavilion, was held at Wilhelminastraat and the main street Caya Gilberto B. Croes and featured over 40 restaurants, bars, and beverage partners. The event also showcased the island’s creative music scene with live performances from local musicians.

A.T.A. is pleased to reflect on a highly successful week for the Autentico festival, which was made possible through the combined efforts of the A.T.A. team, Elite Productions, all participating bars and restaurants, and the local musicians.