National Anthem and Flag Day
Aruba's national day on 18 March celebrates the flag and anthem adopted in 1976, with a ceremony and folklore on Plaza Betico Croes.
National Anthem and Flag Day (Dia di Himno y Bandera) on 18 March is Aruba's national day and an official public holiday. It celebrates the adoption of the flag and the anthem "Aruba Dushi Tera" on 18 March 1976 and the island's journey to Status Aparte. The main ceremony and an evening of folklore take place on Plaza Betico Croes in Oranjestad, and blue-and-yellow flags appear on houses, cars and shops across the island.
Why is 18 March Aruba's national day?
According to the Aruba Tourism Authority, on 18 March 1948 the Aruban politician Shon A. Eman presented the first formal proposal for Aruba's separation from the Netherlands Antilles. Twenty-eight years later, in 1976, political leader Betico Croes declared the first National Anthem and Flag Day, and the flag and anthem were adopted that same day. Separate status within the Kingdom of the Netherlands followed on 1 January 1986. In 2026 the flag and anthem turned 50.
What do the flag and anthem stand for?
The flag is light blue with two narrow yellow horizontal stripes and a red four-pointed star with a white border in the upper hoist. Wikipedia summarises the official symbolism: blue for the surrounding sea, yellow for abundance and the island's separate status, white for peace and the beaches, and the four points of the star for the points of the compass and the many origins of Aruba's people; the red recalls the island's indigenous inhabitants. The anthem "Aruba Dushi Tera" ("Aruba, sweet land") is a waltz credited by the tourism authority to Juan Chabaya "Padu" Lampe, Rufo Wever and Hubert Booi; it had been popular since the early 1950s before becoming the official anthem.
What happens on the day?
The tourism authority highlights an elaborate folkloric production at Plaza Betico Croes, cultural events with local food, sporting events and organised games around the island. In recent years the government programme has opened the evening before with stalls of Aruban food, crafts and books plus local musicians and dancers on the plaza, followed on the morning of 18 March by a protocol ceremony and a parade of uniformed groups (9 a.m. in 2024). The programme is published each year in early March.
Tips for visitors
Shops, petrol stations and supermarkets may close early or stay closed all day, so plan meals and fuel. The plaza is in central Oranjestad; arrive early for the morning ceremony, which is outdoors and in full sun. The evening folklore is the most relaxed way to hear traditional music and taste local snacks. In 2027, 18 March falls on a Thursday. For more on the capital, see our Oranjestad guide; the Oranjestad walking tour passes Fort Zoutman, the island's oldest building.
Programme highlights
- Evening of 17 March Folklore on the plazaStalls with Aruban food, crafts and books, with local musicians and dancers (2024 programme).
- Morning of 18 March Protocol ceremonyOfficial ceremony and parade of uniformed groups on Plaza Betico Croes.
- 18 March Island-wide eventsCultural, sporting and social activities in every district.
Know before you go
- Go early, bring shade. The morning ceremony is outdoors on an open plaza.
- Plan meals and fuel. Shops, petrol stations and supermarkets may close early or all day.
- Catch the evening folklore. It is the easiest way to hear traditional music and try local snacks.
Where
More events
Dande (New Year serenades)
Island-wide (homes, community gatherings, hotels) · New Year — from 1 January, traditionally until 6 January
Betico Croes Day
Plaza Betico Croes (Oranjestad) & island-wide · 25 January (public holiday)