February – CARNIVAL – One of the most anticipated events of the year, Carnival features colorful costumes, parades, song and traditional dances. Contests for "Queen of Carnival" as well as best costume, singer, band and creativity are held while onlookers vote for their favorites. The 2005 Carnival season opens in January, with the Main Adult Parade in Kralendijk held on February 6, and the culmination of all Carnival events, the Grand Farewell Parade with the Burning of King Momo, on February 8. Accompanied by fireworks and a parade, the Burning of King Momo marks the end of the Carnival period and a month of continuous celebrations.

April 1 – SIMADAN (HARVEST) FESTIVAL IN RINCON – The Simadan Festival or Harvest Feast symbolizes a time when the Kunuku (farm) owners invite their friends to help collect the crop while accompanied by songs and hand made instruments. The traditional Simadan songs and dance are performed in Rincon, Bonaire's oldest town, where on this day Bonaireans dress is colorful outfits and perform traditional dances. Local arts, crafts and cuisine are also available during the Simadan Festival, an important cultural tradition in Bonaire .

April 30 – RINCON DAY – Established in 1989 by FUDEKU, an organization founded to reintroduce Bonaire's youth to its rich history, this holiday falls on the Queens Birthday and celebrates Bonaire's traditions and culture in Rincon, the island's oldest village. This day is filled with food and drink, music and local crafts. In the weeks preceding this day, a local song festival selects a final winner who performs during the day's events. One highlight is an official speech marking the opening of Rincon Day, which has traditionally been made by the Prime Minister of the Netherlands Antilles in the village's historic church. This day is also the Queen's Birthday. To celebrate both there will be a windsurfing race, 5 km/17 km run and a 70 km road race.

May 22 – 29 – King of the Caribbean Freestyle Pro-Am – Bonaire will host the Professional Windsurfing Association's (PWA) inaugural event for 2005. More than 40 top windsurfers from around the world, including many from the Bonaire windsurfing team, are expected to compete in the week-long event at Bonaire's Lac Bay, for a $65,000 purse ($55,000 for men, $10,000 for women). The KOTCaribbean is organized by the Bonaire Sailing Foundation (BSaF) in conjunction with the PWA.

July – 13th ANNUAL BONAIRE ARTS DAY – Started in 1993 by the Bonaire Art Foundation, Bonaire Arts day gives artists the opportunity to showcase their handmade arts, crafts, as well as local music and dance. Begun to promote local artists to the Bonaire community, the event will take place from 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM at Wilhelmina Park .

September 6 – BONAIRE DAY (DIA DI BONAIRE) – Bonaire Day, which commemorates Amerigo Vespucci's arrival in Bonaire in 1499, includes activities held at Wilhelmina Park in Kralendijk, Bonaire's capital city, and around the island. Celebrating the Bonairean people and their history, the holiday features folkloric dancing, music, art and local food. Throughout the day local dignitaries will address the participants with stories of the Bonairean people and history. As part of the celebrations a 5-km Bonaire Day Fun Run also takes place.

October – BONAIRE INTERNATIONAL SAILING REGATTA – The 38th Annual Bonaire International Sailing Regatta welcomes boats in 12 different categories to participate in this Bonairean tradition that attracts sailors from Venezuela, Holland and the U.S. Each year approximately 120 boats from catamarans and yachts to windsurfers and sunfish participate. Highlights include nightly parties, the All Nations Parade, the Working Boats Parade and an awards ceremony.

December 1 – BARI FESTIVAL – Song, dance, drink and the traditional Beating of the Drums (Bari) are the highlights of this celebration. One special feature, distinct to the Bari Festival is the "Tambu," a dance accompanied by songs in a question and answer style that satirize local events. Also part of the celebration are presentations by church choirs and independent organizations as well as a hot "Bari," held in Rincon.

December 5 – SINTERKLAAS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION – Originated in Holland and celebrated only in the Netherlands Antilles and the Netherlands, Sinterklaas (or St. Nicholas) is a day children look forward to. Sinterklaas is a tall elderly man dressed in red who rides a white horse and is accompanied by zwarte pieten (servants). As tradition has it, Sinterklaas visits only once a year, bringing presents to all the children who have been well behaved. In order to receive a present, children on December 4th fill one of their shoes with grass for Sinterklaas' white horse; the next morning they awake to find an empty shoe and a present.

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