January 2010
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| January 1 |
New Year's Day (Official Holiday)
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| January 2 |
Official Opening of Carnival
Seven weeks of Carnival festivities begin with a full program of activities in Willemstad, highlighted by revelers in last years costumes dancing in the streets.
For more information, please call:
FU.DE.KA. (Fundashon pa Desaroyo Positivo di Karnaval), Tel: (599-9) 461-3352,
or visit our Website: www.curacaocarnival.info
or send an eMail: info@curacaocarnival.info
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| January 15 |
Election of Teenagers' Carnival King & Queen
Curacao teens participate in their own parade.
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| January 16 |
Election of Carnival King, Queen Prince & Pancho (Adults)
The official Carnival representatives are elected.
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| January 16 |
Election of Carnival King, Queen Prince & Pancho of Children Carnival
The Queen,Prince & Pancho are elected for the road March.
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| January 24 |
Ride For The Roses Charity Event
The Ride, Swim, Walk for the Roses is an international event, initiated by the Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong. Its purpose is to raise funds and awareness for the fight against cancer. Events include an auction, a ride, swim and a walk, a health bazaar, speaches, music and dancing. For 2010 event info, please contact:
Ride for the Roses
Post Office Box 6, Curacao
Tel: 527 2442
Fax: 461 6645
eMail: info@ridefortheroses.net
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| January 24 - January 31 |
Curacao Youth Sailing Championships
Website: www.cyc2010.org
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| January 25 - January 29 |
Tumba Festival
The islands finest composers, musicians and singers compete in a unigue Curacao festival. The winning Tumba song will have the honor of being the Carnival Road March Song. Held at the festival Center.
For more information, please call:
FU.DE.KA. (Fundashon pa Desaroyo Positivo di Karnaval), Tel: (599-9) 461-3352,
or visit our Website: www.curacaocarnival.info
or send an eMail: info@curacaocarnival.info
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| January 31 |
Carnival: Horse Parade
The horse parade is a special attraction for those who are drawn to nature and love to see the beautifully decked horses gracefully prancing in the streets with their riders dressed up to match the occasion.
All the riding schools and private horse owners participate to show off their animals and their skills.
For more information: www.curacaocarnival.info
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February 2010
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| February 7 |
Carnival: Children's Parade
Toddlers through 6th graders take to the streets of Willemstad for their own full-scale parade. .
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| February 12 |
Carnival: Teen Parade
Young people are in the spotlight with their own Carnival Parade in Willemstad.
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| February 13 |
Carnival: Midnight Ban Topa in Otrobanda
Lets meet at a street fair. The streets are closed; there are bands, dancing, and vendors selling food and drink. Everyone joins in the festivities.
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| February 14 |
Valentine's Day
For weeks in advance the event is announced and the shops outdo themselves in offering special bargains. The media, especially radio stations, have special programs and on the day itself there are shows during which romantic singers regale the many couples with their love songs. Restaurants and hotels compete in offering their clientele and guests a wide variety of romantic & culinary highlights.
Ask your restaurant or hotel about special romance packages.
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| February 14 |
Carnival: Grand Parade
Some streets may be closed. Curaaos Gran Marcha (The Grand Parade) features fantastic floats, costumes, and characters.
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| February 16 |
Grand Farewell Parade
The final parade marks the end of the Carnival season. An evening parade with lights and floats. As legend has it, the midnight burning of the King Momo effigy will please the gods.
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| February 17 |
Ash Wednesday
Beginning of Catholic Lent
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| February 28 |
Curaao International Kite Festival
Curaao International Kite Season begins in February with workshops and small kite-flying competitions. A night-fly and other exciting activities pave the way to the annual Curaao International Cup Kite Competition in the Spring. www.curacaokites.com
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March 2010
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| March 27-29 |
Annual International Blue Marlin Release
44th Annual International Blue Marlin Release.
The Annual International Release Blue Marlin Tournament is held in the waters surrounding Curacao. It is oriented towards the conservation of the species, with individual and team competition.
The Curacao Yacht Club was founded over 44 years ago and has grown to attract over 600 members and accommodates over 50 yachts as well as over 50 smaller boats. Visiting yachts are welcome. The club can accommodate yachts over 100 feet in length.
For more detailed information, please visit: www.curacaoyachtclub.com or contact Billy Jonckheer at the Curacao Yacht Club at
tel: (599-9) 767-4627, (599-9) 511-9461
email: info@curacaoyachtclub.com
VHF channel 68
Waypoints: 12.03.500 N / 068.51.200 W
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April 2010
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| April 1 - April 6 |
Curaao Windsurfing Challenge
The Curacao Challenge event is a true challenge and great windsurfing event! Takes place at Seaquarium Beach.
Visit the website at www.curacaochallenge.com for information.
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| April 2 |
Good Friday (Official Holiday)
Catholic holiday and beginning of Spring break for schools.
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| April 4 |
Easter Sunday
Easter, the greatest feast day in the Christian calendar, celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
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| April 5 |
Easter Monday: Harvest Parade (Official Holiday)
Parade through the streets of Otrobanda. Official holiday.
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| April 9 - April 11 |
Curacao International Kite Season
The Curacao International Kite Season kicks off with workshops and small kite-flying competitions in preparation for the Curacao International Kite Festival.
Kite flying competition, demonstration, Jumbo Kite Competition. Locations TBA. Distinguished International guests. www.curacaokites.com.
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May 2010
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| May 1 |
Labor Day (Official Holiday)
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| May 9 |
Mother's Day
The second Sunday of May is celebrated with lots of gifts and flowers, and sales at island stores. Special events are organized all over the island and at many hotels.
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| May 21 |
Ascension Day (Official Holiday)
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| May 29 - June 5 |
Curacao Dive Festival
Underwater digital photography and fish identification seminars, technical dive presentation, dive computer clinics and an underwater treasure hunt. This is a fun event for both divers and non-divers! (Enjoy free transportation to event sites.)
For more detailed information, please visit:www.curacaodive.com
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June 2010
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| June 19 |
Father's Day
Like Mother's Day, the third Sunday of June is celebrated with shopping, shows and musical tributes to Dad. Look for special events all over the island and at many hotels.
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July 2010
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| July 2 |
Curacao Flag Day (Official Holiday)
Official holiday and ceremonies.
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| July 26 |
Curacao Day
Commemoration of the discovery of Curaçao by Alonzo de Ojeda in 1499. Folkloric activities in the inner city and countryside.
Contact: Kas di Kultura
Tel. (599-9) 461-7355
E-mail: kasdikultura@curinfo.an
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August 2010
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| August TBD |
2010 Curacao Salsa Tour
Salsa Dance Festival
The Curacao Salsa Tour office is located in the Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel. Please contact the office for questions you may have about parties, workshops, instructors, transportation etc.
Tel: (5999) 4627800.
E-mail:info@curacaosalsatour.com
Website: www.curacaosalsatour.com
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| August TBD |
Culture, Cuisine and Heritage Fest 2010
Events celebrating the diversity of the Dutch Caribbean island of Curacao. Learn more about the Culture, Cuisine and Heritage Fest.
For more information, please contact the Curacao Tourist Board:
Tel. 461-7355/461-7357
E-mail: kasdikultura@curinfo.an
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September 2010
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| September 3 - September 4 |
Curcao North Sea Jazz Festival - New for 2010!
The popular Netherland's North Sea Jazz Festival - the largest indoor jazz festival in the world celebrates 35 years in 2010. Now, for the first time ever, the festival debuts in Curaçao, September 3rd and 4th, 2010. Appearing will be some of the world's great artists from jazz, to funk, to soul, Latin, salsa and R&B genres. The festival will be performed at various venues around the island. Visit http://www.curacaonorthseajazz.com/en/north-sea-jazz/ for details about the jazz festival, venues and tickets, as the information is released. Book your hotel early for this event!
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| September 9 - September 10 |
Rosh Hashanah
Jewish New Year. Jewish owned shops and banks are closed. Contact: Mikve Israel-Emanuel at: Tel. (599-9) 461-1067
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| September 18 |
Yom Kippur
Jewish day of atonement. Jewish owned shops and banks are closed.
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October 2010
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| October 5 |
Banda Bou Day
A day of celebrations, folkloric shows and local food in Banda Bou region, located in the scenic western end of Curacao.
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| October 21 |
Antillean Day (Official Holiday)
An official holiday and celebration of the five islands of the Netherland Antilles.
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November 2010
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| November 5 - November 7 |
Heineken Regatta Curacao
November 7, 8, 9 2010. A surprisingly different Regatta with a unique location. All events and races will be in and around the harbor and bay of historic Willemstad. Day and night entertainment, live concerts and shows on Brion Plaza, Annabaai and Regata Village located at the Kleine Werf.
Visit www.heinekenregattacuracao.com for details.
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| November 6 |
Amstel Curacao Race
World class cycling excitement with Curacao's gorgeous tropical scenery as backdrop. Hobby cyclists get the chance to ride together with the international professional teams. Additional events coordinated throughout the week prior to the race. Arrive October 30th and enjoy a week of beach vollyball, clinics, parties, BBQs and more. Please visit the site for full details, team info and schedules: www.amstelcuracaorace.com.
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December 2010
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| December 1 - December 9 |
Hanukkah
Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, starts on the 25th day of the Jewish calendar month of Kislev and lasts for eight days and nights.
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| December 5 |
St. Nicholas Day
On St. Nicholas Eve all children place a bucket of water and a shoe filled with hay for St. Nicholas' big white horse. If they have been good all year, they will wake to find their shoes filled with gifts. Those who haven't are afraid a goblin called " Zwarte Piet"(Black Peter) will carry them back to Spain in a sack.
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| December 15 |
Kingdom Day (Official Holiday)
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| December 25 |
Christmas Day (Official Holiday)
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| December 31 |
New Year's Eve (Official Holiday)
Fireworks displays. Locals gather at Plaza Brion where an evening of cultural activities is capped by midnight blessing by the Bishop.
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| Gay Friendly Venues and Events |
All year 'round.
Curacao is truly a diverse and multi-cultural island which takes pride
in promoting itself as a gay friendly destination. Gay travelers can check out the following list of locations specifically offering gay-friendly parties and events at venues around the island:
Lyric's Gay Cafe
Thursdays/Fridays: 10:00PM - 3:00AM
Saturdays: 10:00PM - 4:00AM
Punda (Willemstad, Waterfort Arches)
Cafe De Heeren
Thursdays Happy Hour: 6.00PM - 10.00PM
Zuikertuintje
Cinco Curacao
Thursdays Happy Hour: 10.00PM - 11:30PM
Parera (near the Marine base)
TuTu Tango Bar
Fridays Happy Hour: 11.00PM - 4.00AM
Punda (Willemstad, near the Movies Curaçao)
Zanta Beach Bar
Fridays Happy Hour: 11.00PM - 4.00AM
Bapor Kibra (near Breezes Curaçao Resort)
Mambo Beach
Saturdays Open: 10:00PM - 4:00AM
Bapor Kibra (Seaquarium area)
Wet and Wild Beach Club
Sundays Happy Hour: 5.00PM - 11.00PM
Bapor Kibra
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