WILLEMSTAD - Minister of Education, Science, Sports and Culture Sithree van Heydoorn announced during a press conference on Monday that government employees will receive a half-day off on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, to participate in the Marcha di Despedida, the traditional closing parade of Curaçao’s carnival season.
Carnival falls unusually early in 2026, with the Gran Marcha scheduled for 15 February and the Afscheidsmars taking place two days later. To ensure a smooth and festive farewell parade, the government has coordinated with the Vereniging Bedrijfsleven Curaçao (VBC) to make arrangements with the private sector.
Early Closure Encouraged
Minister Van Heydoorn explained that if both government personnel and private-sector employees are allowed to leave work at 12:00 noon, the Marcha di Despedida can begin promptly at 3:00 p.m.
“Our goal is to ensure an organized, safe and enjoyable closing parade. By aligning working hours across sectors, we can guarantee that participants and spectators have sufficient time to prepare,” Van Heydoorn stated.
The minister emphasized that coordinated planning with private businesses is essential, given the island-wide participation and the logistical challenges of the carnival’s final day.
Carnival 2026: Early Dates Require Adjustments
With carnival arriving earlier than usual next year, several operational and scheduling adjustments must be made across the public and private sectors. The government hopes that these collective efforts will support both cultural tradition and workplace efficiency.
Further details regarding the parade’s route, safety measures and festival logistics will be announced in the coming months.