The opening of the 2017 Curacao carnival season starts on 7th January with an opening ceremony. The route is from Rooseveltweg  (At crossing; Jan noordduynweg / Winstonchurchillweg) to – Schottegatweg West all the way to Weg naar Welgegelegen and Roodeweg, the following day on the 8th January there will be another opening ceremony but this time for the most rural part of the island known as Banda Abou.

Only adults are allowed to participate in the Grand Marcha and Marcha di Despedida. Grand Marcha is the folks name for the Adult parade this is always on a Sunday from early afternoon to evening.
Macha di Despedida (Farewell Parade) is the last parade of the Carnival season. Marcha di Despedida is the folks name for the Adults parade which happens in the evening. Ash Wednesday 00:00 is the end of all Carnival activities as we will enter into the Christen Fast period (40 days fast period to Easter).
At these two events, children may only spectate.

Children however are the center of attention at the juvenile march on the 19th and 27th of February. Teens have their own parade on the 24th of February known as the “teener parade”.
Between the 8th of January and 24th of February till will be many more events of course, like” jump ins” and “tumba” festivals.
During the Tumba Festival the ‘Rey di Tumba’ – Carnival “King” or “Queen” will be crowned. This is the person with the best theme song (Tumba) for the adult Carnival.
As always the children have their own addition of the Tumba Festival on; 5th of February. So the children will have an age appropriate Tumba for their jump in’s and parades.

Tumba typical Curacao music

On the 30th of January the first “Tumba” night will take place, Tumba is the island’s typical music and it will be played at almost every important event during the carnival season, including at the opening ceremony on 7 and 8 January. This is one of the most important forms of Curacao music, the style originated in Africa. The following tumba nights will take place from 31st of January till the 3rd of February and you definitely do not want to miss out on this amazing experience!

In 1971, Tumba was selected as the official music of the Carnival Road March and the unique signature music at the Tumba Festival, a four-day musical parade staged during Carnival. Musicians competing for the prestigious title of King or Queen of Tumba compete enthusiastically for the honor of participating in the Grand Parade when spectators line the streets dancing to the island beats.