Punda Vibes – Every Thursday in Curacao
More than just a street gathering, Punda Vibes celebrates, every Thursday night, the history and heritage of Willemstad with the help of Curacao’s culture cultivators and locals. The event gives new light to the streets and alleys, promoting a homegrown love and appreciation of the locale’s diversity.
What is Punda Vibes?
Punda, life in vivid color – The beating heart of Curaçao since 1634.
Also known as the “heart of Curacao”, Punda was first established in 1634 with the original name “de punt”. This vibrant district with pedestrian-only streets had since grown and evolved in to one of Curacao’s most popular destinations within the capital, Willemstad, holding the title of being a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Punda is also home to the Mikve Israel Emanuel Synagogue, the oldest surviving synagogue in the Americas. The quaint alleys of Punda lead you to the island’s top shopping destination where you can get everything from local crafts to electronics. On Thursday nights, Punda transforms.
A fairly new and interesting event turned weekly habit has been making waves in Punda on Thursday nights – Punda Thursday Vibes. A celebration of Punda’s booming art scene wherein the town showcases work from local artists. Pop-up craft markets, live theater, and historic dancing as music fills the alleys and people dance under the stars. Afterwards, a stunning fireworks display decorates the sky.
Punda Vibes – Every Thursday in the Heart of Willemstad, Curaçao
Known for its good-natured revelry that starts with numerous activities, and community-themed sessions during the day and ends with music and dancing all through the night, Punda Thursday Vibes has become a periodic gathering of artists, makers, and creative collaborators to celebrate Curacao and its past, present, and future.
As community-driven movement, it also presents a platform for small-scale and independent businesses to present their products and services to a bigger market.
The music consist of live jazz, blues, reggae and salsa provide a whimsical soundtrack to art walks along the streets of Punda. There are also activities for children with a set up of bouncy castles, candy floss, face painting, other pop-up activities kids are sure to enjoy.
Things to Do in Punda and Otrabanda, Curacao
Punda - the beating heart of Willemstad, Curaçao
Punda Vibes has a simple goal: to make people from all walks of life fall in love with Curacao’s booming art scene, history and culture. This weekly event breathes back life in to the old streets of Willemstad.
Don’t forget to check out this scene when you take your Curacao vacation and immerse yourself in one of the most beautiful inner cities in the world.
Dive in and Discover Punda’s Tarpon City – Tarpon City is located outside of the imposing walls of Waterfort, an old Dutch fort located on the outskirts of the historic Punda district of Willemstad, the capital of the island of Curacao. This dive site hugs the coastline along the outer walls of the fort, right at the water’s edge for about 415 m (1,360 feet).
The History and Timeline of Curaçao – Curaçao was settled by Arawak people from the South American mainland. It was first visited by Europeans in 1499 and was settled by the Spanish and, later, by the Dutch, who established it as a major centre of trade for the Dutch West India Company.
Did you know that the oldest specimens from Curaçao come from the Dabajuroid series. This is a cultural tradition that originated from Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela around 1800 BC. Want to know more about the history and cultural heritage of Curaçao? CLICK HERE to LEARN MORE!
Punda Vibes Impressions
Photo’s courtesy of Gail Johnson Photography
