Carnival
Aruba's Carnival is one of the biggest in the Caribbean and runs for about two months, from January through the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. It's not a single event but a season of parades, music competitions, pageants and street celebrations that build toward the final days.
The music forms are tumba, calypso and soca. Each season's Carnival Tumba competition selects the official anthem that will accompany the Grand Parade. The Grand Parade in Oranjestad is the main daytime event; the Lighting Parade, held the night before, features enormous illuminated floats. San Nicolas, the island's second city, holds its own parallel celebrations. The season ends with the Burning of King Momo on the Tuesday night before Lent.
If you're visiting during Carnival, book accommodation several months in advance. The energy is genuine and the celebrations go late.
Bon Bini Festival
Every Tuesday evening at Fort Zoutman in Oranjestad. Local music, dance performances and craft stalls in the fort's courtyard. It's a relaxed, accessible event aimed partly at visitors but not cynically so — a good first introduction to Papiamento culture and Aruban music.
Soul Beach Music Festival
A long-running R&B and comedy festival held over Memorial Day weekend (late May) at the resorts along Eagle Beach. It draws major acts and fills hotels in the area; book well ahead if you want to attend.
Autentico Aruba Culinary Festival
A week-long food festival celebrating the island's diverse culinary traditions, held annually. Events include tastings, chef demonstrations and dinners showcasing both local Aruban cooking and the island's international influences.