The Feria Patriotico 2026 Aruba celebration exceeded all expectations as Carnival Village in San Nicolas became the center of culture, national pride, and festive celebration.
The event attracted a large crowd from across Aruba who gathered to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere and celebrate together. The final night of the festival was attended by Minister Wendrick Cicilia and Minister Mervin Wyatt-Ras, creating a special moment that reflected the true spirit of “Aruba Dushi Tera.”
The Feria Patriotico 2026 Aruba celebration highlighted the significance of Aruba’s national symbols, especially in a historic year marking 50 years of the Aruba National Anthem and Flag and 40 years of Status Aparte.
The cultural program featured a variety of performances that entertained the audience throughout the evening. Among the highlights were folkloric dance performances by Inclusion School and NTC & NLG Dancers, guided by Marisol Peña. The audience also enjoyed an impressive musical performance by the Rufo Wever Music School.
Another memorable moment of the Feria Patriotico 2026 Aruba event was the performance by Stephanie Quant, the overall winner in the 13–17 age category of the Festival Un Canto pa Aruba su Himno y Bandera. She performed her composition “That’s Aruba,” which received strong applause from the crowd.
The cultural festival continued with a lively performance by Grupo Rejoice, featuring young talents from various schools across Aruba. They celebrated the island’s cultural identity through traditional rhythms such as polka, tumba, and waltz.
The audience also enjoyed the energetic performance by Gucci Dancers, who filled the stage with rhythm and excitement, setting the stage for the evening’s grand musical finale.
The event concluded with an outstanding performance by the musical group D’Nova, who participated in the Festival Un Canto pa Aruba su Himno y Bandera for the first time and won the top prize. Together with singer Alexa Croes, they captivated the audience with the winning song “Nos ta loke nos tin,” a waltz composed by Jhon Freddy Tobon Montoya and arranged by Denny Loefstop.
Special Recognition for Grupo Rejoice
During the Feria Patriotico 2026 Aruba celebration, Minister of Tourism Wendrick Cicilia presented a special recognition plaque to Grupo Rejoice, which is celebrating 15 years of praise, culture, and service in Aruba.
Grupo Rejoice originally started in the Netherlands among Aruban students and, under the leadership of its founder Zulaika “Suki” Geerman, has grown into an important presence in Aruba’s praise music and cultural scene. Today, the group actively participates in various church and cultural events across the island.
Within the cultural community, they are also known as “Team Blue,” regularly participating in events such as the Festival Un Canto pa Aruba su Himno y Bandera, where they mentor and support many young talents.
A unique aspect of Grupo Rejoice is their dedication to the development of children and youth, creating music that inspires pride in Aruban culture. Together with Afranina “Afra” Henriquez, the group maintains a high level of discipline and musical quality. All of their activities—from rehearsals to performances—are offered completely free as a way of giving back to the community.
Gratitude and Recognition
During the evening, special appreciation was also given to the sponsors who helped make the event possible, including the Commission for the Celebration of National Days (CCDN), the Department of Culture Aruba (DCA), and the Aruba Tourism Authority (ATA).
On behalf of the Government of Aruba, gratitude was expressed to all the dance groups, schools, children, youth, and performers who contributed to the success of the event. Special thanks were also extended to the vendors and participants who supported and celebrated Aruba’s culture.
The Feria Patriotico 2026 Aruba celebration once again demonstrated how Carnival Village serves as a gathering place where the Aruban community comes together to celebrate its identity and culture in unity and joy.
The public is invited to continue the festivities during the Manifestacion Cultural on March 17, 2026, also taking place at Carnival Village.
Organizers thanked everyone who participated and helped make the evening an unforgettable celebration.
