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 |