Celebrate a Caribbean Christmas and New Year in Aruba

Aruba is ready for a celebration at any time of the year. But the holiday season is special, a time to be spent with family and friends, and to welcome new beginnings with the arrival of the New Year in Aruba. The festive mood is inescapable. If you want to celebrate Christmas in the Caribbean, Aruba is the perfect spot!

Why celebrating a Caribbean Christmas and New Year’s Eve in Aruba is a good idea

There are multiple reasons why you should consider a Caribbean Christmas vacation in Aruba. An obvious reason is of course the warm and sunny climate of Aruba. Winter days can be short, dark, and cold, but not on Aruba! On this island, you’ll find a lot of sunshine practically every day of the year. You’ll probably enjoy tropical weather and a Caribbean breeze when celebrating Christmas in Aruba.

Another reason to pack your bags and celebrate Christmas in the Caribbean would be the opportunity to fully relax and unwind. Staying home and enjoying a homemade Christmas dinner is cozy, but it often involves a lot of arranging. If you choose for a Caribbean Christmas and New Year’s Eve in Aruba, you don’t have to do anything yourself. All-inclusive hotels and resorts are the best way to avoid any hassle. Really everything is taken care of, from breakfast to afternoon drinks. This way, you truly have quality time with your friends and family. 

What about a Caribbean Christmas vacation? 

If you’re going to celebrate Christmas and New Year’s Eve in Aruba, chances are you don’t want to leave anytime soon. Luckily, you can extend your stay and go for a true Caribbean Christmas vacation! On the island of Aruba, there are so many fun activities you can do during your holiday. For example, explore one of the beautiful beaches! Go for a swim, read a book or practice one of the many water sports. You also have the possibility to hike up Aruba's Hooiberg and experience a unique workout with a view. Or join one of the sightseeing tours! Thanks to all the activities Aruba has to offer, you can easily fill your Caribbean Christmas vacation.

Caribbean Christmas food in Aruba

As on many Caribbean islands, fruitcake is served when company comes to visit. For Arubans, the treat will be a black cake called bolo preto, which is infused with brandy and fruit liqueurs, and loaded with dried fruits and spices. Other authentic Aruban foods include pistachio cake and pan de jamon, a bread laced with ham.

Pumpkin soup is especially popular during Christmas in Aruba. Turkey is served in some households, but the favorite holiday meat in Aruba is the Christmas ham, which is coated with glaze and spices. A Dutch treat that makes its way onto the holiday table is oliebollen, a small deep-fried ball of dough similar to a beignet or doughnut. You’ll often find these made fresh and hot at local supermarkets. Another island-wide tradition when it comes to Caribbean Christmas food is ponche crema, a Latin American beverage that is a bit sweeter than the standard American eggnog. 

The grand prize on every Christmas plate is the ayaca. With culinary roots in Venezuela, this dish starts with a boiled banana or plantain leaf that is filled, wrapped, tied and boiled again when it's time to eat. The stuffing is a mixture of chicken, pork or ham combined with spices, olives, raisins, cashews, prunes, onions and whatever the family recipe calls for, all spread over a layer of cornmeal mixture similar to polenta. 

Aruba Christmas traditions: Lights and decorations

During Christmas time, lights and decorations can be seen anywhere around the world. This is also a Christmas tradition in Aruba. A drive around Aruba, passing by all the roundabouts on the main roads, will show off an amazing array of decorations. The entire island seems lit up as every hotel, business, shopping center, traffic circle, and park is hung with strings of multi-colored bulbs. Hotel lobbies are decorated with trees; gingerbread houses, nativity scenes, and an array of Christmas lights are hung from everything imaginable. 

Aruba New Year traditions 

As the new year in Aruba approaches the focus shifts from lights to fireworks. The streets of downtown Oranjestad are engulfed in smoke and noise as pagaras—long strings of Chinese firecrackers—are laid out and ignited. The noise is to ensure the New Year in Aruba will have a clean start as evil spirits are being chased away. On New Year’s Eve in Aruba, colourful fireworks can be seen along the beaches. Many of the hotels stage their own shows, which can be seen from balconies as the entire island comes ablaze at the stroke of midnight. 

Another tradition to start the New Year in Aruba would be the New Year’s Plunge at MooMba Beach. At exactly 12.00 pm a horde of people wearing orange hats will dive into the Caribbean sea, a tradition started here by the Dutch.

Book your Caribbean Christmas trip now!

Ready to spend the most wonderful time of the year in Aruba? Book your Caribbean Christmas vacation now! Whether you’re planning to travel with family or friends, celebrating Christmas in Aruba is a once of a lifetime experience. Are you excited to make your Caribbean Christmas trip official? Take a quick look at our Deals and Offer page before you book anything. Maybe we have a special discount to save money on your Caribbean Christmas vacation…