WILLEMSTAD – The carnival season in Curaçao was officially opened on Saturday night with a large jump-up parade followed by a festive celebration at the Festival Center. The highlight of the evening was a performance by Trinidadian soca star Machel Montano.
The opening festivities began at 8:00 p.m. with a lively jump-up starting from Suvek. The parade moved through Mahaai and Brievengat before arriving at the Festival Center, where thousands of revelers gathered for an evening of music, dancing, and celebration.
Machel Montano, internationally known for hits such as Famalay, received an enthusiastic response from the crowd. The soca superstar from Trinidad and Tobago was the headlining act of the night and set the tone for the upcoming carnival weeks.
This year’s carnival organization is in the hands of Beehives, a group that has built a strong reputation in recent years by bringing major regional artists to Curaçao. The successful opening signals the start of an active and festive carnival season on the island, with more events and parades scheduled in the weeks ahead.
Authorities reported no major incidents during the opening night, and the atmosphere remained festive and orderly as Curaçao officially entered carnival mode.