VacationUpdated: October 2026 · By Mark from NaarCuracao
Tumba, feathers and glitter: how Curaçao celebrates Carnival
On Sunday, January 24, 2027, the Carnival season in Curaçao kicks off with the horse parade. Through February 9, seven parades make their way across the island, with the Gran Marcha and the closing lights parade as the highlights. Watching is free: just find a spot along the route.
- Carnival 2027January 24 to February 13
- Gran MarchaSunday, February 7, from 11:00 AM
- Lights paradeTuesday, February 9, from 3:00 PM
- RouteF.D. Rooseveltweg → Otrobanda
- WatchingFree along the entire route
- MusicTumba, Curaçao’s Carnival music
Curaçao Carnival 2027 in short
- Seven parades between January 24 and February 9, 2027; the award ceremony follows on February 13.
- The big parade, the Gran Marcha, is on Sunday, February 7; the lights parade is on Tuesday, February 9.
- Watching is free. All city parades follow the same route and end at Brionplein in Otrobanda.
- Expect parades to start 1 to 2 hours later than the official time, and track them live with the Undé Kabes Ta? app.
What makes Carnival in Curaçao special
Carnival in Curaçao has a sound and style all its own. It starts with the music: the island parties to tumba, an upbeat music and dance style with lots of percussion and a message that’s always positive.
Then there are the costumes: stunning outfits with headdresses, glitter, feathers and bold colors. Carnival groups often spend the whole year making costumes for all of their members. And instead of heading to the bars, everyone takes to the streets: Carnival in Curaçao is all about tumba and the street parades.
All 2027 Carnival parades at a glance
These are the parades of Carnival 2027, with their official start times. Read more about each parade further down.
- Horse parade · Sunday, January 24, 4:00 PMThe opening of the season, in the city.
- Children’s parade · Sunday, January 31, 2:00 PMThe youngest participants in their finest costumes.
- Teen parade · Friday, February 5, 6:00 PMAn evening parade full of energy.
- Bandabou parade · Saturday, February 6, 1:00 PMThe only parade outside the city, in Barber.
- Gran Marcha · Sunday, February 7, 11:00 AMThe grand parade and the highlight of Carnival.
- Youth farewell parade · Monday, February 8, 2:00 PMKids and teens shine one last time.
- Farewell parade (lights parade) · Tuesday, February 9, 3:00 PMThe festive finale, lasting well into the night.
- Award ceremony · Saturday, February 13The ‘Entrega di premio’ at the Curaçao Festival Center will most likely close the season.
What time do the parades really start?
Poko poko
The times on this page are the official times from the local authorities. But this is Curaçao, so it’s ‘poko poko’ (take it easy). A 2:00 PM start can mean the first participants show up around 3:00 PM and the parade only gets going around 3:30 PM. Expect things to start 1 to 2 hours later than announced.
The parades one by one
Horse parade (Marcha di Kabai)
Sunday, January 24, 2027, 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM
The horse parade kicks off the Carnival season. It starts in Otrobanda on Pater Euwensweg (near the SVB building) and runs via Roodeweg, Weg naar Welgelegen and F.D. Rooseveltweg to the intersection with Jan Noorduynweg. You can watch for free anywhere along the route.
Note: this is the only parade that runs south to north, starting from downtown. All other city parades head toward downtown.
Children’s parade
Sunday, January 31, 2027, 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM
At the children’s Carnival parade, the youngest participants walk and dance in their finest costumes. The route is about 5 km (3 miles) and starts at the Palù Blanku roundabout. From there, the parade follows Schottegatweg West and Roodeweg to Otrobanda. Like all the city parades that follow, it ends at Brionplein, next to the Queen Emma pontoon bridge.
Teen parade
Friday, February 5, 2027, 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM
On Friday night, it’s the teens’ turn. They follow the same route as the horse parade, but in reverse: toward downtown. The start is at the intersection of F.D. Rooseveltweg and Jan Noorduynweg, about 4 km (2.5 miles) south of the airport. The finish is at Brionplein in Otrobanda.
Bandabou parade
Saturday, February 6, 2027, 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM
The only parade outside the city passes through the village of Barber. It starts halfway along Kaminda Prospero Popo Rojer, heads toward Weg naar Westpunt, turns right there and ends at the Centro Social Deportivo Barber soccer club. See the route of the Bandabou parade.
Driving to Westpunt that Saturday? Expect traffic and delays, and take the southwest route as much as possible.
The grand parade: Gran Marcha
Sunday, February 7, 2027, 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM
The Gran Marcha is the highlight of Carnival. The big Carnival groups parade through the city with their floats and hundreds of participants in spectacular costumes. Grab a spot along the route and enjoy the music, the dancers and the costumes. The route is the same as the teen parade’s.
Farewell parades
Monday, February 8, 2027, 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM · Tuesday, February 9, 2027, from 3:00 PM
On Monday, kids and teens get to shine one more time in their farewell parade, along the same route as on Friday.
On Tuesday, the adults walk the Gran Marcha route one last time. This farewell parade is also known as the lights parade and is always popular with visitors and locals alike. The official start time is 3:00 PM, but partly because of the lights, the parade often doesn’t get going until around 5:00 PM.
The route of the Carnival parades
All parades in the city follow the same route. They start just before the F.D. Rooseveltweg / Jan Noorduynweg intersection and then basically go straight ahead, all the way to St. Anna Bay.
- Start: F.D. RooseveltwegJust before the intersection with Jan Noorduynweg, south of the airport.
- Palù Blanku roundaboutAbout halfway. Here the parade takes the first exit, onto Schottegatweg West.
- Weg naar Welgelegen and RoodewegStraight on toward Otrobanda.
- Finish: BrionpleinVia Breedestraat to Brionplein, next to the pontoon bridge.
The horse parade follows the same route in reverse, from downtown heading north. The children’s parade only starts at Palù Blanku.
Where will you watch?
You can watch the parades for free anywhere along the route. Bring a folding chair and a cooler, and you’re all set.
- Our tip: the Palù Blanku roundabout. Park near the Palù Blanku roundabout, about halfway along the route. Parking is easy here and the parades pass by relatively early (except the horse parade).
- Bringing kids? Pick a spot along the first part of the route, so you won’t have to wait as long if the parade runs late.
- Respect reserved spots. Local families often mark off a section early with tape, sand or chalk. Avoid any trouble and move ten yards further along; you’ll see just as well.
- Bandabou parade: it runs from just outside Barber to the middle of the village. In the village itself, you’re closest to the finish.
A grandstand seat, or join the parade yourself
A seat in a grandstand or party stand
Traveling to Curaçao especially for Carnival? Along the route you’ll find grandstands and party stands that sell tickets. They usually offer shade, security, food and drinks, restrooms and a DJ or MC. You can buy a ticket for a single parade (like the Gran Marcha) or a package for several days. Most stands announce their offer shortly before Carnival on Facebook and Instagram.
Walk in the Gran Marcha yourself
Want to go all in? You can sign up with a Carnival group. Expect to pay at least around €700. For that, you get a spectacular costume, among other things, and you walk in the Gran Marcha.
Good to know
- You’ll be in the sun for a long time. Bring sunscreen, a cap or hat and plenty of water.
- Road closures: on parade days the route is closed for hours. Plan for detours and crowds in the city.
- Later than planned: the official start time is a guideline. Track the parade live with the Undé Kabes Ta? app.
- Watching is free along the entire route; you only pay for grandstands and party stands.
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Tumba: get in the mood
Tumba is the music of Curaçao’s Carnival. Every year, the Tumba Festival decides which song becomes the official Carnival hit of the season. Want to get in the mood? Watch the highlights of the 2025 Tumba Festival.
Frequently asked questions about Carnival in Curaçao
When is Carnival in Curaçao in 2027?
The 2027 Carnival season starts on Sunday, January 24 with the horse parade. The last parade, the lights parade, is on Tuesday, February 9. The award ceremony will most likely follow on Saturday, February 13.
When is the 2027 Gran Marcha?
The Gran Marcha, the grand Carnival parade, is on Sunday, February 7, 2027. The official times are 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
Does it cost money to watch the parades?
No. You can watch for free anywhere along the route. You only pay for a seat in a grandstand or party stand.
Do the parades start on time?
Usually not. Expect a parade to start 1 to 2 hours later than the official start time. The Undé Kabes Ta? app shows you live where the parade is.
What is the route of the Carnival parades?
All city parades start on F.D. Rooseveltweg at the intersection with Jan Noorduynweg and go via the Palù Blanku roundabout, Schottegatweg West, Weg naar Welgelegen and Roodeweg to Brionplein in Otrobanda. The horse parade follows the same route in reverse. The Bandabou parade takes place in Barber.
Where is the best place to watch?
A good spot is the Palù Blanku roundabout, about halfway along the route. Parking is easy there and the parades pass by relatively early. Respect spots that families have marked off with tape, sand or chalk.
What is the lights parade?
The lights parade is the adults’ farewell parade on Tuesday, February 9, 2027. It follows the Gran Marcha route and continues into the evening, with illuminated costumes. The official start is 3:00 PM, but the parade usually doesn’t get going until around 5:00 PM.
Can tourists join the parade?
Yes. You can sign up with one of the Carnival groups. Expect to pay at least around €700; for that you get a costume, among other things, and you walk in the Gran Marcha.
Tumba, feathers and glitter
Combine Carnival with the island’s best tours and activities.