Holidays & Festivals
Public Holidays
The Dominican Republic has a generous number of public holidays. Many are moved to the next Monday (día no laborable) to create long weekends. On holidays, shops and offices are closed, but restaurants, Colmados, and tourism operate as usual.
| Date | Holiday | Note |
|---|---|---|
| January 1 | Año Nuevo (New Year) | |
| January 6 | Día de los Santos Reyes | Three Kings' Day — more important than Christmas for gifts to children |
| January 21 | Día de la Altagracia | Patroness of the country. Pilgrimage to Higüey |
| January 26 | Día de Duarte | Birthday of founding father Juan Pablo Duarte |
| February 27 | Día de la Independencia | Independence Day — biggest national holiday. Parades, fireworks |
| March/April | Semana Santa | Holy Week — half the country at the beach. No meat on Good Friday (but fish and Habichuelas con Dulce) |
| May 1 | Día del Trabajo | Labor Day |
| June (variable) | Corpus Christi | Feast of Corpus Christi |
| August 16 | Día de la Restauración | Restoration Day of the Republic (1863) |
| September 24 | Día de las Mercedes | Virgen de las Mercedes |
| November 6 | Día de la Constitución | Constitution Day |
| December 25 | Navidad (Christmas) | Family day — Roast pork (Lechón Asado), Telera, Ponche |
Carnival & Festivals
Carnival (February–March)
The Dominican Carnival takes place every Sunday in February, culminating on February 27 (Independence Day) and the first Sunday in March. Each city has its own tradition:
- La Vega: The most spectacular carnival — thousands of Diablos Cojuelos (limping devils) in elaborate costumes adorned with mirrors and rhinestones parade through the streets, hitting spectators with inflated pig bladders (yes, really!). The masks can cost up to $2,000 and take months to make
- Santo Domingo: Large parade on the Malecón with floats, Merengue bands, and political satire
- Santiago: The Lechones (spotted pig figures) with their colorful costumes and mirrors are the local tradition
- Monte Cristi: The Toros y Civiles — a symbolic battle between bulls (with horned masks) and civilians
The Dominican Carnival is less known than the Brazilian or Trinidadian but just as colorful, loud, and wild. And much more authentic — here, locals dance for themselves, not for tourists.
Other Festivals
- Festival del Merengue y Ritmos Caribeños (July, Santo Domingo) — A week of live music on the Malecón: Merengue, Salsa, Bachata. Free, huge, and sweaty
- Festival de Bachata (September, Santo Domingo) — Bachata concerts, dance competitions, and workshops
- Puerto Plata Jazz Festival (November) — Jazz, Latin Jazz, and Fusion in the historic Fortaleza San Felipe
- Fiestas Patronales: Every town celebrates its patron saint with a multi-day party: fair, Merengue bands, food, gambling, domino tournaments. The best: Higüey (January 21), Santiago (July 25), Baní (June)
- Semana Santa (Holy Week): Half the country heads to the beach — the roads are clogged, the beaches crowded, the mood euphoric. Traditional food: Habichuelas con Dulce — a sweet bean pudding with milk, spices, and cookies. Sounds strange, tastes fantastic
Tipp
If you are in the Dominican Republic in February, head to La Vega on Sunday for Carnival — it is one of the most authentic and spectacular festivals in the Caribbean. But wear clothes that can get dirty and expect to be hit by Diablos Cojuelos with bladders!
War dieses Kapitel hilfreich?
