Curacao Carnival 2025: The Caribbean's biggest party

Imagine sunlit streets filled with exuberant colors, rousing music and dancing crowds. That’s Carnival in Curaçao! This annual spectacle is one of the largest and most spectacular celebrations in the Caribbean and promises to be another unforgettable experience in 2025. Whether you are a local or a visitor, this is a celebration you must have experienced at least once in your life!

Highlights of Carnival 2025

Tumba Festival: The heart of music

Carnival erupts with the iconic Tumba Festival, which takes place from Feb. 3 to 5, with the grand finale on Feb. 7. During this festival, the island’s best musicians compete for the coveted title of “Rei di Tumba” (King of the Tumba). The winner gets to lead the way during the Gran Marcha, setting the tone for the carnival season. Expect a mix of African rhythms, Merengue and Latin Jazz guaranteed to get you moving!

Jump Ins: The perfect warm-up

Prior to the big carnival weekend, numerous “jump ins” take place. These parties, organized by local businesses and institutions, are the ideal way to get into the carnival mood. Here is an overview of some popular jump ins for 2025:

Feb. 1: Jet Set Jump In
Feb. 8: Takitin Jump In
Feb. 14: MCB Jump In and Mantene E Wega Jump In
Feb. 20: Kaya ta Papia Jump In
Feb. 21-22: Hak’e Festival
Feb. 25: Zjangilae Jump In
Feb. 26: Neon Flirt Jump In and Kontrabanda Jump In
Feb. 27: Oh My Jump In

Carnival for young and old

In Curaçao, Carnival is a celebration for everyone! Even the youngest revelers can have plenty of fun with special events:

Jan. 25: Tumba Festival for children
Jan. 31: Carnival pageant for teens
Feb. 2: Carnival pageant for children
Feb. 23: Children’s Carnival
Feb. 28: Teener Parade
March 3: Farewell parade children’s carnival

Gran Marcha: The highlight of the carnival

The absolute highlight of the carnival season is the Gran Marcha on March 2, 2025. This is the largest parade on the island, where months of preparations come together in a colorful spectacle of dance, music and impressive floats.

Route of the parades

The exact routes of the parades can be via this link !

Want to be assured of a good view? Then a grandstand spot is highly recommended!

Want to experience the carnival in a big way without having to stand for hours? Then book a grandstand ticket! Several organizations offer grandstand spots including bar, food, restrooms and entertainment. Options through YDK (WhatsApp: +5999 6698677) All-inclusive package for all three parades

Teen Parade
Gran Marcha
Farewell Parade

Options through CCGG (Tel: +5999 6971168 | E-mail: ccgg.reservations@gmail.com)

Teen parade: NAF 50 p.p.
Gran Marcha: NAF 95 p.p.
Farewell parade: NAF 95 p.p.

Follow the parade in Real-Time with an app

Want to know exactly where the parade is and not wait for hours? Then download the “Und’e Kabes Ta?” app! This handy app tracks the parade live and sends push notifications when the parade approaches your location. Available for both Android and iPhone.

Practical tips for visitors

Book your stay well in advance, as hotels and Airbnb’s fill up quickly.
Make sure you have plenty of water and sun protection – it can get hot along the route!
Wear comfortable shoes because you will be standing and dancing a lot.
Consider hearing protection, especially for children, as the music can be loud.
Park smartly: a good spot is at the Palù Blanku traffic circle, halfway along the route.

Closing of the carnival

The carnival season ends with two spectacular farewell parades:

March 3: Farewell parade children’s carnival
March 4: Grand Farewell Parade

Carnival in Curaçao is more than a celebration – it is an explosion of culture, passion and tradition. Will you come for the impressive costumes, the energetic music or just for the festive atmosphere? Either way, Carnival 2025 will be an experience you’ll never forget!

📖 Discover Curaçao with our comprehensive travel guide!

Are you inspired by this article and want to make your trip to Curaçao unforgettable? Download our e-book travel guide “Dushi Curaçao – The Complete Travel Guide”! 🌴✨

👉Download your travel guide now and start your adventure today.