Celebrating Christmas in Aruba: Make Your Holiday Trip Festive

So you’re thinking of spending Christmas in Aruba and you’re not sure what to expect… don’t worry! Aruba transforms into a magical holiday wonderland as Christmas approaches. You’ll find a white sand Christmas blended with festive traditions from around the world.

Despite the island’s warm climate, you’ll feel the Christmas spirit everywhere, from decorated roundabouts to the scent of fresh pine wafting through the air. Let’s take a deeper look at what you can expect for your Aruba Christmas.

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Aruba Offers a Multicultural Christmas Season

The diverse heritage on the island shines during the holiday season in Aruba. You’ll find celebrations and traditions influenced by Dutch, Caribbean, and global cultures. Christmas isn’t just one day—it’s a series of festive events, with traditions that span from early December to January.

• Sinterklaas (December 5th): The Dutch Santa Claus visits children with gifts and sweets, kicking off the season.
• Christmas Day (December 25th): Families gather for mass, exchange gifts, and enjoy lavish meals.
• Three Kings’ Day (January 6th): The Epiphany is celebrated with nativity scenes and presents for children.

In this post, we’ll mostly be focused on Christmas week and Christmas Day in Aruba, but since Sinterklaas is likely new to you, let’s give a quick debrief of what this is!

About Sinterklaas in Aruba

In Aruba, Sinterklaas marks the festive beginning of Aruba’s holiday season, bringing joy and anticipation, especially for children. Known as the Dutch counterpart to Santa Claus, Sinterklaas arrives with much fanfare in Oranjestad’s harbor, traditionally on a steamboat from “Spain,” during the second half of November.

Dressed in his signature red velvet bishop’s robe, golden staff in hand, and riding a majestic white horse, he is accompanied by his lively helpers, the Pieten. Children eagerly participate in the tradition by leaving their shoes near the door or chimney in the weeks leading up to December 5.

December 5, known as Sinterklaas Eve, culminates in surprises, like pepernoten, marzipan, or small gifts delivered by Sinterklaas overnight. This Aruba holiday is a cherished part of the island’s Christmas season.

What to Know About Aruba at Christmas

Celebrating a very Aruban Christmas is a magical experience. However, you’ll want to plan ahead to have an enjoyable holiday. As one of the most popular times to visit the island, the Christmas season comes with unique considerations and challenges.

Christmas is During High Season: Book Early

Christmas falls within Aruba’s high season for tourism, so accommodations, car rentals, and restaurants fill up quickly. If you’re planning a trip during this time, book your stay, car, and dining reservations well in advance.

Popular hotels, especially in the Palm Beach and Eagle Beach areas, may sell out months ahead. And, many fine dining establishments require reservations throughout the week of Christmas – especially for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Check out where to stay, rental cars, and where to eat now!

What’s Open and What’s Closed

During Christmas, some major tourist attractions, restaurants, and shops in the hotel zones remain open, catering to visitors. However, many places around the island see shorter hours and closures.

• Restaurants: Most restaurants in the resort areas stay open during the holidays, but it’s best to call ahead to confirm. Other restaurants around the island are more likely to be closed to allow locals to celebrate with their families. For the best likelihood of finding open restaurants, look at those attached to resorts.

• Supermarkets: Grocery stores and supermarkets typically close early on December 24 and 31 and remain closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day (December 26), and New Year’s Day. Smaller convenience stores may stay open. If you’re planning to cook your own meals, be sure to stock up beforehand. You’ll find the stores get quite busy the couple days before Christmas as well. If possible go multiple days before Christmas!

• Gas Stations: Gas stations close early the day before holidays (around 6:00 pm), are closed on the holidays, and reopen late the next day (around 10:00 am).

• Banks: Banks also close at 12:00 pm on December 24 and 31 and are closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Years Day. ATMs around the island remain operational.

• Shopping: Stores generally close early on December 24 and 31 with most stores closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day. If you’re desperate, some resort-area shops offer limited hours.

Where to Eat Christmas Dinner

With many closures around the island, planning a special Christmas dinner in Aruba can be challenging. Fortunately, many restaurants across Aruba offer special Christmas menus or buffets. These do tend to be highly sought after, so reservations are essential. If you have a favorite restaurant – reach out to them early to check if they are open and try to book ahead.

If you’re unsure where to eat dinner on Christmas in Aruba, many resorts host extravagant holiday buffets and upscale dining venues in the hotel zones tend to feature festive meals with an island twist. You can also consider a beachfront dinner under the stars, which several resorts and independent restaurants offer as part of their holiday celebrations. For a more casual option, some beach bars and local eateries also serve holiday specials.

When in doubt, if you’re struggling to find an open restaurant on Christmas Day in Aruba, hotel restaurants are a reliable choice. Alternatively, some fast-food outlets and chain restaurants sometimes remain open for convenience.

What to Eat for Christmas

Food is central to Christmas in Aruba. It brings families together to prepare and enjoy traditional dishes. Some iconic holiday treats you might want to try include:

• Ham di Pasco: A Christmas ham adorned with pineapple slices and bright cherries.
• Ayaca: Pockets of cornmeal dough stuffed with seasoned meats, prunes, raisins, and nuts, all wrapped in banana leaves. This dish reflects the island’s cultural ties to Venezuela.
• Ponche Crema: Aruba’s version of eggnog, a creamy, spiced holiday drink.
• Cashupete: A cashew nut cake served as a festive dessert.
• Pan Bollo: A rich fruitcake soaked in local Aruban rum.
• Pan Dushi: Sweet bread rolls, available at local bakeries, must-have addition to holiday meals.

As the year-end approaches, oliebollen stands also pop up across the island. These deep-fried dough balls, dusted with powdered sugar and sometimes filled with apples or raisins, are a favorite Dutch treat enjoyed in the lead-up to New Year’s Eve.

Things to Do in Aruba for Christmas

While there are plenty of things to do in Aruba year-round, there are a few holiday favorites that you can only do this time of year. These are part of why people come back to Aruba year-after-year during the holiday season.

Admire Aruba Christmas Light Displays

Aruba takes holiday lighting to another level with dazzling displays across the island. Roundabouts are creatively decorated by local neighborhoods and businesses, featuring everything from lit trees to elaborate themed installations. Start at the roundabouts along Sasaki Road and Tanki Flip, as they tend to be especially beautiful.

For a truly magical experience, head to the neighborhoods of Seroe Pretu in San Nicolas. Here an entire community comes together to create an illuminated village of Christmas lights. These displays often depict landmarks and festive scenes. It’s a favorite destination for locals and visitors alike.

Entrance is free, but be prepared for crowds during peak hours, especially between 7:00 – 9:00 pm. For a quieter visit, consider visiting after 9:00 pm when parking is more manageable.

Shop at Aruba’s Christmas Markets

Holiday markets pop up throughout the island in December. Christmas markets in Aruba offer a mix of handcrafted goods, festive treats, and local art. They are perfect for finding unique gifts, from handmade ornaments to locally made jewelry. You’ll also find plenty of holiday food and drinks to sample, including ponche crema, Aruba’s version of eggnog.

The atmosphere is lively, with live music, carolers, and the scent of fresh pastries filling the air. Don’t miss the markets at Renaissance Marketplace, Palm Beach Plaza, and the larger markets in Oranjestad for the widest selection. Alternatively, you can seek out smaller community markets.

Visit the Christmas Tree Wonderland at Kerstboomlandia

One of the most iconic holiday traditions in Aruba is Kerstboomlandia. This massive Christmas tree market in Aruba is held under a giant tent on Vondelaan. With Aruba’s desert climate, nearly all Christmas trees are imported, making this event a unique spectacle.

The fresh, fragrant trees create an inviting atmosphere, and locals flock here to choose their perfect tree for the season. Even if you don’t purchase a tree, the festive ambiance makes it worth a visit.

Listen to Gaita Music: The Sound of Christmas

Music is also an important part of Christmas celebrations in Aruba, with gaita taking center stage. Originating in Venezuela, gaita has been wholeheartedly embraced by the island and is a hallmark of the holiday season. This lively, up-tempo music is performed by groups during live events and broadcasted on the radio.

A beloved tradition is the radio program Na Drempel di Fin di Aña, hosted by Erin Croes on 96.5 FM. Running three evenings a week from mid-October, it counts down to Christmas with traditional gaita tunes and holiday favorites by local artists like Grupo di Betico.