Curacao activities and events

Curaçao has a full calendar of festivities that delight local residents as well as visitors. Major holidays, such as Carnival and Christmas, spread a decidedly festive atmosphere over the entire Island. Banks and other businesses are decked out with streamers, balloons and other decorations befitting the occasion. Expect beaches to be crowded on holidays and during school vacations. Consult the listings from the following list to see if your visit coincides with any other regular celebrations.

January 01	New Year's Day After the year ends with a big bang, the first day of the new year is traditionally a time for family gatherings.
February 04	Carnival Monday During the eight Carnaval weeks Curaçao is turned into one big melting pot of people having fun on and off the streets. It all culminates in the Gran March at Sunday 3 February and is finished off with the Farewell Grand Parade at Tuesday evening 5 February. Monday 4 February is an offical public holiday. For more detailed information, visit the Calendar of Events.
March 21	Good Friday Mainly Catholics celebrate this official holiday. An official holiday on this largely Catholic island and the beginning of a weeklong spring break for schools. Grocery stores and markets do a record sale in fresh and salted fish on the previous days.
March 23	Easter Sunday Local children are decked out in their spring finery for the traditional first communion celebrations, which are held between this day and Ascension Day (May).
March 24	Easter Monday Parade through the streets of Otrobanda, symbolizing the "the Harvest feast", features all the folkloric groups on the island.
April 30	Queen's birthday Island wide celebrations with a festive atmosphere focusing in Down Town Punda.
May 01	Labor Day An official holiday when government and labor union organize marches and other activities. Ascension
May 02	Extra official holiday Because Ascension and Labor Day fall on the same day this year, the government has decided that May 02 is also an official public holiday this year.
July 02	Curaçao Flag day Celebrated with official ceremonies and cultural events at Plaza Brion and the Village of Barber
October 21	Antillean Flag Day
December 25-26	Christmas