Villa Mambolicious

Carnival on Curaçao

Gran Marcha: 7 February 2027

Carnival is without question the biggest celebration on Curaçao. The season starts shortly after New Year and runs for weeks: tumba music in the streets, the election of the carnival queen, and a series of parades building up to the Gran Marcha through Willemstad. Thousands of participants in costume, floats, and an island that comes close to a standstill for a few days.

It closes with the Marcha di Despedida, the farewell parade on the evening before Ash Wednesday — also known as the parade of lights.

Exactly when?

The date shifts every year, because carnival is tied to Lent and therefore to Easter. In 2027 the Gran Marcha parades through Willemstad on Sunday 7 February, and the Marcha di Despedida closes the season on the evening of Tuesday 9 February, the eve of Ash Wednesday. If you want to be there, check the island’s official calendar for the year in question — differing dates circulate online fairly regularly.

With children

There are separate parades for children and teenagers, which run during the day and are calmer in setup than the Gran Marcha. Bring folding chairs and water; people sometimes claim spots along the route hours in advance.

Other events on Curaçao

Back to the Mambo Beach guide.

Staying within walking distance of Mambo Beach

Villa Mambolicious sits in a gated resort with 24/7 security, a few minutes walk from the beach. Six people, three bedrooms, private pool.