Let’s Celebrate Dera Gay in Our Neighborhoods on Wednesday, June 24, 2026
ORANJESTAD – The Government of Aruba, through the Ministry of General Affairs, Nature, Environment and Culture, together with the National Holidays Committee (CCDN) and UNOCA, is joining forces to celebrate St. John’s Day and Dera Gay (Aruba’s traditional St. John’s Day harvest celebration).
Under the theme “Let’s Celebrate Dera Gay in Our Neighborhoods,” this initiative aims to promote and strengthen Aruba’s cultural heritage, bring the tradition of St. John’s Day closer to the community, and create opportunities for both adults and children to actively participate in the festivities.
Between 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., a cultural trailer, accompanied by representatives of the Government of Aruba, CCDN and UNOCA, as well as musicians, singers, and dance groups, will travel through Bushiri Complex, the Dakota neighborhood, and Mabon Kavel, with Carnival Village in San Nicolas serving as the final destination.
Throughout the parade, the community will be able to enjoy an interactive cultural program featuring music, dance, traditions, and competitions that are characteristic of the St. John’s Day celebration. Grupo Masiduri will present the traditional San Juan dance, while Grupo Cariño will provide the musical entertainment.
In addition, members of the public will have the opportunity to participate in various cultural activities, including:
- Jumping over a bonfire
- Rooster crowing competition
- Hen call competition
- Longest rooster crow competition
- Flag-finding competition
- Dera Gay competition
Various prizes will be awarded to participating residents.
Dera Gay Cultural Parade Program
The festivities will take place through a single parade route that will visit four different neighborhoods:
- First stop: Bushiri Complex
- Second stop: Dakota Community and Sports Center
- Third stop: Mabon Kavel, Caya Butishi
- Fourth and final stop: Carnival Village (Grand Finale), San Nicolas
Route to Bushiri Complex
Paradera Roundabout → Sero Patrishi Roundabout → E.J. Watty Vos Boulevard → Madiki Kavel Roundabout → Frankrijkstraat → Bushiri Complex
From Bushiri Complex to the Dakota Community and Sports Center
Bushiri Complex → Frankrijkstraat → Madiki Kavel Roundabout → E.J. Watty Vos Boulevard → CODEMSA Roundabout → G.F. Betico Croes Street → Tarabana Roundabout → Dadelstraat → Juancho Kock Street → Pampuna Street → Dakota Community and Sports Center
From Dakota Community and Sports Center to Mabon Kavel
Dakota Community and Sports Center → Pampuna Street → Juancho Kock Street → Dadelstraat → Tarabana Roundabout → G.F. Betico Croes Street → Cumana Roundabout (former CODEMSA Roundabout) → Airport Roundabout → Pos Chikito Roundabout → Savaneta → Cura Cabay → Brazil → Mabon → Caya Butishi → Mabon Kavel
From Mabon Kavel to Carnival Village
Mabon Kavel → Mabon → Caya Bernadina Growell → Brazil → Wendy’s Cura Cabay (T-road) → San Nicolas Roundabout (FTA) → Bernhardstraat → Carnival Village San Nicolas
Return Route from San Nicolas to Paradera
Carnival Village → Bernhardstraat → San Nicolas Roundabout (FTA) → Savaneta → Drive Inn Roundabout → Macuarima → Santa Cruz Roundabout → Piedra Plat → Paradera Gas Station
Residents living along the route are also invited to enjoy the festive cultural atmosphere as the cultural trailer passes through their neighborhoods on its way to the next destination.
The grand finale will take place at Carnival Village San Nicolas, where participants and residents will come together to conclude an evening filled with tradition, music, joy, and cultural pride.
The Government of Aruba, CCDN, and UNOCA warmly invite all residents—especially those living in Bushiri, Dakota, Mabon, and the communities along the parade route—to actively participate in the celebrations.
