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Events you won't want to miss

Our calendar shows the special events and celebrations that are held throughout the year on Bonaire.

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Kingdom Day

Kingdom Day is a public holiday on the island of Bonaire, and it is observed on December 15 each year. The holiday commemorates the anniversary when Queen Juliana signed the Charter for the Kingdom of Netherlands in 1954. Majority of the governmental businesses are closed.

Shopping Night: Christmas

Happening every month in downtown, the main street of Bonaire and the surrounding area, for everyone on the island who needs to do some shopping in the evening. Experience the shopping scene after hours, when the shops are open until 9:00 PM and people are in the mood to shop till they drop. Seize the...

Christmas Day

Christmas Day is a public holiday celebrated around the world and most Christians celebrate on December 25. On the island, Christmas is celebrated with family and friends. Stores and other businesses are closed on this day.

Second Christmas Day

Second Christmas Day, also known as Boxing Day, is a public holiday celebrated in many countries, and it is observed on December 26, the day after Christmas Day. Majority of businesses are closed with stores and supermarkets having adapted opening hours.

Marshe di Rincon

Sharing is in our nature, so we would like you to experience the oldest village of Bonaire while walking around and shop, indulge in our local food and feeling the warmth of the people of Rincon. We invite you all to join us at the Marshe di Rincon starting in the morning until the afternoon....

New Year’s Eve

New Year’s Eve is celebrated with different stores and businesses having an end of the year event with pagara (fireworks) during the day. At night the majority of people spend it with their family and friends by enjoying food, music and fireworks. Some hotels have special parties for their guests and locals.

New Year’s Day – Maskarada

Maskarada, on New Year’s Day, originates from Bonaire’s Spanish background. Completely disguised, including speech, locals from each village dress and arrive early in groups at the Lt. Governor’s home to dance and play outside wishing the family a Happy New Year (“Bon Aña”). The Lt. Governor thanks them with a bottle of rum, held and...

Cultural Event – Nos Zjilea

This event has a fusion of local arts & crafts, plants & vegetables and educational presentations. Enjoy the delicious food while listening to some of the best local musicians as they play live at cultural park Mangazina di Rei located at the east-entrance of Rincon.

Instructor Development Courses

Are you ready to start living your dream and start a career in the dive industry? No better place to do so than on Divers Paradise Bonaire at Buddy Dive Resort. Buddy Dive Resort is not only well renowned as one of the top dive destinations in the Caribbean, but it has been hosting Instructor...

Children Carnival Parade Rincon

The neighborhood of Rincon demonstrates its Carnival spirit with the presentation of its children Parade. Come see our children fill the streets of Rincon with beautiful costumes.

Children Carnival Parade Kralendijk

The Children Carnival Parade in Kralendijk includes all the island’s different Carnival groups. Hundreds of children enjoy the opportunity to show off their dancing skills and colorful costumes.

Grand Carnival Parade Rincon

This is a prelude to the Grand Carnival Parade in Kralendijk. Local musicians create an exceptional ambiance in Rincon by playing their latest Carnival hits to the delight of hundreds of marchers dressed in resplendent costumes.

Grand Carnival Parade Kralendijk

The largest Carnival Parade is the Grand Parade through Kralendijk held on Sunday before Ash Wednesday. This parade is filled with unforgettable music, spectacular floats and original costumes decorated with colorful stones, sequins, and feathers, creating a unique display.

Cultural Event – Nos Zjilea

This event has a fusion of local arts & crafts, plants & vegetables and educational presentations. Enjoy the delicious food while listening to some of the best local musicians as they play live at cultural park Mangazina di Rei located at the east-entrance of Rincon.

Good Friday

Good Friday is the day for Christians to commemorate Jesus's crucifixion. On this day, according to the Bible, the Jewish religious leaders—who had condemned Jesus the night before for claiming to be the son of God and king of the Jews—brought him to the Romans for sentencing.

Cultural Event – Nos Zjilea

This event has a fusion of local arts & crafts, plants & vegetables and educational presentations. Enjoy the delicious food while listening to some of the best local musicians as they play live at cultural park Mangazina di Rei located at the east-entrance of Rincon.

Easter

Easter is the greatest celebration in the Catholic church because it is the completion of the Holy week that ends with the resurrection of Jesus. Easter celebrates the beginning and foundation of Christianity. Jesus was raised from the dead, and it goes to show that He conquered sin and death.

Sende Mecha

On March 30th, the 35th anniversary of this celebration, the “Sende Mecha” ceremony will kick off. After the flag is raised next to the Catholic Church, there will be music and people gathering around the Bustu F. G. Janga between 6 pm and 10 pm.

Easter Monday – Simadan (Harvest) Festival Rincon

Simadan stems from Bonaire’s slave days and celebrates the growing season’s harvest (typically March/April). The festive harvest celebration in Bonaire varies from other places, perhaps, as a direct result of the way slaves on Bonaire were treated. Bonaire’s slaves grew crops for owners and some were permitted personal crops as well, a “liberty” not usually...

Simadan di Pastor

“Simadan di Pastor” is the next event, on April 1st in the Catholic church garden with a short parade. This is done to thank God for the harvest and to create an opportunity to donate consumption items to the church. As a result, the church will later donate these items to lower-income family households in...

Festival Kanto Krioyo

“Festival Kanto Krioyo”, a singing competition for local artists to come up with a new song and compete to have their song as the song of the year for the cultural events. The adult competition spans three days at Stadion Antonio Trenidat from 8 pm to 12 am, on April 3rd and 4th and from...

Den Trin

Throughout the month, there will be several “Den Trin”, pop-up events with music and food where people gather to warm up for Dia di Rincon, from 7 pm to 12 am, hosted around Rincon. They will start on April 5th at Piedra Pretu, then April 12th next to Museo Chi Chi Tan, then April 19th...

Den Trin

Throughout the month, there will be several “Den Trin”, pop-up events with music and food where people gather to warm up for Dia di Rincon, from 7 pm to 12 am, hosted around Rincon. They will start on April 5th at Piedra Pretu, then April 12th next to Museo Chi Chi Tan, then April 19th...

Mucha Kultural

Pageants that focus on culture include the “Mucha Kultural” on April 14th from 1 pm to 6 pm at Plenchi Carmen Goeloe,

Den Trin

Throughout the month, there will be several “Den Trin”, pop-up events with music and food where people gather to warm up for Dia di Rincon, from 7 pm to 12 am, hosted around Rincon. They will start on April 5th at Piedra Pretu, then April 12th next to Museo Chi Chi Tan, then April 19th...

Dama Kultural

The “Dama Kultural” pageant on April 20th from 8 pm to 11 pm at Stadion Antonio Trenidat.

Chikitin Krioyo

The “Chikitin Krioyo” pageant on April 21st from 5 pm to 9 pm at Stadion Antonio Trenidat.

Soccer championship

There will also be a soccer championship dedicated to the F.G. Janga, in which local teams will participate to win the F.G. Janga Cup. The final will be April 22nd from 8 pm to 10 pm at Stadion Antonio Trenidat.

Sena na Mesa Largu

On April 23rd Posada Para Mira is organizing a 5-course traditional dinner from 6 pm to 9 pm in Kaya Cornelis D. Crestian, at a long table under the moonlight catered by Rincon chefs with local ingredients. Tickets are 100 dollars, and there is a capacity for 300 people. For more information on the event,...

Simadan di nos Grandinan

Parades will be clustered at the end of the month, starting on April 24th with “Simadan di nos Grandinan”, the parade dedicated to the elderly folks of Rincon from 4 pm to 8 pm in Plenchi Carmen Goeloe and the main streets of Rincon.

Ruta di Tradishon

“Ruta di Tradishon”, an accumulation of habits from the past with roots in Rincon, on April 25th from 7 pm to 3 am in the streets of Rincon.

Parada di Garoshi

On April 26th  there will be “Parada di Garoshi” in the streets of Rincon from 5 pm to 7 pm.

Den Trin

Throughout the month, there will be several “Den Trin”, pop-up events with music and food where people gather to warm up for Dia di Rincon, from 7 pm to 12 am, hosted around Rincon. They will start on April 5th at Piedra Pretu, then April 12th next to Museo Chi Chi Tan, then April 19th...

Kings of Krioyo

Closer to the big day, there will be several parties and gatherings in Rincon, including Kings of Krioyo, where the local talents get to shine and play local music the entire night on April 26th from 10 pm to 3 am at Plenchi Carmen Goeloe.

King’s Birthday

An official government ceremony in honor of King Willem Alexander is followed by numerous events and celebrations in Kralendijk.

Juvedam and Simadan di Shon Cain

“Juvedam” takes place from 4 am to 7 am on April 27th  and Simadan di Shon Cain later that day from 10 am to 12 am in the Northern part of Rincon.

Cultural Event – Nos Zjilea

This event has a fusion of local arts & crafts, plants & vegetables and educational presentations. Enjoy the delicious food while listening to some of the best local musicians as they play live at cultural park Mangazina di Rei located at the east-entrance of Rincon.

Topa mi den Cocorobi

Topa mi den Cocorobi taking place from 5 pm to 3 am in Cocorobi on April 28th.

Antesala Dia di Rincon

April 29th, the eve of Dia di Rincon, there will be Antesala Dia di Rincon from 4 pm to 7 pm, followed by Ban topa dia di Rincon from 7 pm to 12 am, and a party in Stadion Antonio Trenidat from 11 pm to 3 am, all leading to Dia di Rincon on April...

Dia di Rincon Cultural Event

Rincon Day is a special day on the island of Bonaire, where the focus is in the oldest town of Bonaire and the Dutch Caribbean. Visitors can enjoy an array of local cuisines and listen to local music and traditional dances. All of these activities take place in the center of Rincon where locals and...

Labor Day

Labor Day is a legal holiday. There aren’t any events, but shops, banks and offices are closed.

Saka Raton

On May 1st, the “Saka Raton” will be in the streets of Rincon to finish all the festivities.

Cultural Event – Nos Zjilea

This event has a fusion of local arts & crafts, plants & vegetables and educational presentations. Enjoy the delicious food while listening to some of the best local musicians as they play live at cultural park Mangazina di Rei located at the east-entrance of Rincon.

Operation CCR

Are you ready for a week full of CCR diving? During this week you can immerse yourself in the world of CCR diving. There will be presentations, demonstrations, and gear tryouts. After years of successful Bonaire TeK editions, we decided it was time to add an event, especially for CCR divers. We assure you, that...

Kids Sea Camp

Kids Sea Camp is a fun family event hosted each year by Margo Peyton at Buddy Dive Resort. This complete program integrates both educational events for the children on land and underwater as well as private family time to make this a memorable experience for the whole family. Kids Sea Camp weeks are fun for...

Bonaire Yoga & Wellness

You are cordially invited to join us for wellness and relaxing experiences on our pristine island of Bonaire. This year, the industry partners have teamed up to offer you a week-long and beyond program. For more information visit: bonaireyogafestival.com

Cultural Event – Nos Zjilea

This event has a fusion of local arts & crafts, plants & vegetables and educational presentations. Enjoy the delicious food while listening to some of the best local musicians as they play live at cultural park Mangazina di Rei located at the east-entrance of Rincon.

Bonaire by Night

Tourism Corporation Bonaire (TCB), along with SKAL, will organize for the first time Bonaire by Night. This event will take place on Friday, August 2nd, 2024, from 6 pm to 9 pm. The event will be held at Kaya Grandi, the entire downtown area, and Terramar Mall. The Bonaire by Night event will continue at the...

Buddy Dive Thru the Lens

Buddy Dive Thru the Lens is all about underwater photography! It offers a fantastic opportunity if you are new to underwater photography or if you want to develop yourself and learn new skills. A wide offer of SeaLife demos, clinics, presentations and photography dedicated boat dives will make this week one you will remember forever!...

Cultural Event – Nos Zjilea

This event has a fusion of local arts & crafts, plants & vegetables and educational presentations. Enjoy the delicious food while listening to some of the best local musicians as they play live at cultural park Mangazina di Rei located at the east-entrance of Rincon.