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musicEvent

Soul Beach Music Festival (moved to Curaçao)

R&B, soul, and comedy on the Palm Beach strip

WhenNo longer held in Aruba. The last Aruba edition was 2024; the festival moved to St. Maarten in 2025 and to Curacao in 2026, where the 20 to 25 May 2026 edition has already taken place. No Aruba edition is scheduled.
WhereNoord, North & Noord
CostTicketed; single-event passes for concerts and the comedy show, plus party and full-weekend packages, are sold each year.
FrequencyNo longer held in Aruba
Type
Music
Duration
Several days
Location
Noord
Cost
Ticketed; single-event passes for concerts and the comedy show, plus party and full-weekend packages, are sold each year.
Frequency
No longer held in Aruba
Attendance
Thousands of visitors over the Memorial Day weekend
Family friendly
No
First held
An established annual festival, running for more than two decades
Local name
Soul Beach
Best arrival
Arrive as gates open for concerts to catch the support acts and beat the entry queues
What to wear
Smart-casual or beachy festival wear; check the dress code for white-attire parties
Food highlights
Resort restaurants and beach-bar menusOn-site food vendors at eventsCocktails and the local Aruba Ariba
Warnings
Book accommodation and tickets early, as the weekend sells outUse sun protection for daytime water eventsDrink water between cocktails in the heat
What to bring
Tickets or passesSun protection for daytime eventsCash or card for vendorsPhone power bank
The overview

Soul Beach Music Festival (moved to Curaçao)

The Soul Beach Music Festival is Aruba's marquee music event, staged each year over the United States Memorial Day weekend in late May. It pairs big-name R&B, soul, and hip-hop concerts with a comedy show headlined by leading stand-up acts, all set against the calm turquoise water of the leeward coast.

The festival has run for more than two decades and draws thousands of visitors to the high-rise resort strip along Palm Beach. The timing is comfortable: Aruba sits well outside the hurricane belt, so late May here means warm, dry, reliable weather rather than storm season.

What to expect over the weekend

  • Headline concerts from established R&B, soul, and hip-hop artists.
  • A stand-up comedy night with well-known comedians.
  • Beach parties, pool parties, and white-attire events along the resort strip.

Most festival-goers stay in the high-rise hotels around Palm Beach and Noord and walk or shuttle to the events. Buy concert and party passes in advance, study the schedule so you do not miss a must-see act, and leave a day to relax on Eagle Beach or take a sunset catamaran cruise between shows.

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

When is the Soul Beach Music Festival?

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The festival is held each year over the United States Memorial Day weekend in late May. Aruba sits outside the hurricane belt, so this is a warm, dry, reliable time of year. Exact dates and the line-up are announced annually.

What kind of music is at Soul Beach?

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The line-up centres on R&B, soul, and hip-hop concerts, paired with a comedy night headlined by well-known stand-up comedians, plus beach and pool parties along the Palm Beach strip.

Do I need tickets for Soul Beach?

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Yes. The concerts, comedy show, and signature parties are ticketed, with single-event passes and full-weekend packages sold each year. Buy in advance, as popular editions sell out, and plan your schedule around the events you want.

Where should I stay for the festival?

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Most visitors stay in the high-rise hotels around Palm Beach and Noord, within walking or shuttle distance of the events. Book accommodation early, as the festival weekend fills popular resorts.
Plan your visit

Soul Beach Music Festival (moved to Curaçao)

When
No longer held in Aruba. The last Aruba edition was 2024; the festival moved to St. Maarten in 2025 and to Curacao in 2026, where the 20 to 25 May 2026 edition has already taken place. No Aruba edition is scheduled.
Duration: Several days
Location
Hotels, beaches, and event grounds along the Palm Beach high-rise strip, Noord
North & Noord
Cost
Ticketed; single-event passes for concerts and the comedy show, plus party and full-weekend packages, are sold each year.
Get directions →
This event is in Palm Beach →