Holidays

Holidays in the Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic’s image as a holiday destination is a little tarnished. Many tourists associate the country exclusively with “all-inclusive” and beach holidays. In doing so, they overlook the many facets of the island that reveal themselves during a trip into the hinterland and also show up on the diverse holidays.

Overview

New Year’s Day – January 01

Three Kings Day – January 06

National Literacy Day – January 13

Catholic Holiday – January 21

Founding Father Juan Pablo Duarte Day – January 26

Youth Day – January 31

Valentine’s Day – February 14

Founding Father Matías Ramón Mella Day – February 25

National Independence Day in 1844 and part of Carnival at the same time – February 27

International Women’s Day – March 8

Founding Father Francisco del Rosario Sánchez Day – March 9

Commemoration of the Battle of March 30 – March 30

Restoration Day 1863 – August 16

Catholic holiday – September 24

Constitution Day – November 6

Christmas – December 25

Worth knowing about selected holidays

New Year

You don’t have to miss out on the big fireworks at midnight in the Dominican Republic, but otherwise there are serious differences to our New Year’s celebrations. The celebrations take place in the open air – and Merengue plays the leading role at every party. Both the dance style and the music originate from the Dominican Republic. Hipster Europeans might want to settle for the spectator role here. If you watch the locals, the Caribbean holiday feeling sets in all by itself.

Three Kings Day

For youngsters in the Dominican Republic, it’s not Christmas Eve, but Epiphany. The children lay out little boxes, which are then filled with gifts by their parents. The little ones are told that the Magi brought the gifts.

Founding Father Juan Pablo Duarte’s Day

Juan Pablo Duarte is revered as a national hero to this day. He had founded the association “La Trinitaria” in 1938, together with Ramon Mella and Francisco Sánchez. Their goal was the independence of the Dominican Republic.

Many years of Duarte’s life were spent in exile, as he disagreed with the respective regents and always aspired to form a government through free elections. Only after his death, his mortal remains were transferred to the Dominican Republic and buried here. His two comrades-in-arms, Mella and Sanches, also have their own holidays.

Carnival

The carnival in the Dominican Republic may not yet be able to compete with Rio, but the colorful parades are always a tourist highlight. The carnival always reaches its climax on 27 February. Particularly opulent parades can be marvelled at in Santa Domingo. The devil masks alone, which adorn many faces, are a real eye-catcher.