Dominican Republic Annual Events for 2015
For the most current event listings with confirmed dates, please visit the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism’s official website and event calendar at: www.GoDominicanRepublic.com/en/events.
ALL YEAR-ROUND Dominican Republic Annual Events for 2015
JANUARY
Jan. – Dec. Santo Domingo de Fiesta: A Free outdoor show that begins at 9 p.m. every Friday and Saturday at the Plaza de España in the Colonial City.
Jan. – Dec. Grupo Bonyé at the Colonial City: Held every Sunday in the Colonia City from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., the program includes free performances of Merengue, Jazz and Son.
Jan. – Dec. Santo Domingo Bird-Watching: Every Sunday the Botanical Gardens in Santo Domingo host a guided bird observation. Visitors meet at the main entrance at 7 a.m.
Jan. – Mar. Whale Watching in Samaná: Watch the 3,000 to 5,000 whales that migrate to the waters of the Samaná Bay on a guided boat tour or from the land at the observatory in Punta Balandra. The official whale watching season runs Jan. 15 – Mar. 15, but tours are available as long as whales are in the Bay.
Jan. – Feb. Jazz Nights: Every Thursday night enjoy African and Caribbean Rhythms such as Plena, Rumba, Son, Pambiche, Mozambique, Merengue, Samba and more, all integrated with jazz. It takes place at the Escalinatas del Conde in the Colonial City.
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FEBRUARY Dominican Republic Annual Events for 2015
Feb. – Mar. Dominican Carnival: With origins dating back to 1520, Dominican Carnival is a tradition inherited from Spanish forefathers. Celebrated every Sunday of February, Carnival Parades and entertainment vary by city, among them Puerto Plata, Punta Cana, Río San Juan, Constanza, La Vega, Montecristi, Samaná, Higuey, La Romana, Santiago and Santo Domingo. La Vega Is home to the most popular celebration in Dominican Republic.
Feb. 15 – 20 Festival Procigar: More than 300 people from around the world gather at the Procigar Festival in La Romana, Puerto Plata and Santiago. Events include a golf tournament, beach excursions, Merengue classes, cigar workshops and more. www.Procigar.com
Feb. 21 – 22 Larimar Surfing Championship: The competition held by the Dominican Surfing Federation (FEDOSURF) takes place at the Playa Los Patos in Barahona. All athletes are welcome to register and participate in the different categories, such as surfing, bodyboarding and longboarding.
Feb. 23 – 28 Master of the Ocean: An annual kiteboarding competition held in Cabarete on Dominican Republic’s North Coast. The event declares a “Master of the Ocean” or “Team Master of the Ocean” based on four categories – surfing, windsurfing, kiteboarding and Stand Up Paddle (SUP). www.MasteroftheOcean.com
MARCH
Mar. 1 National Carnival Parade: Held along the Malecón of Santo Domingo, typical carnival characters from around Dominican Republic meet and create an unforgettable show.
Mar. 7 Punta Cana Carnival: Visitors and locals alike celebrate the carnival in Punta Cana Village every March. The annual parade features carnival groups from throughout the country, costumed characters and live performances. www.PuntaCana.com
Mar. Long Night at the Museums – Spring: For one night, all of the magnificent museums of Santo Domingo and other regions of Dominican Republic are open until midnight for free. www.cultura.gob.do
APRIL
Apr. International Book Fair: The fair is held at the Plaza de la Cultura in Santo Domingo to commemorate the anniversary of the constitution of the Dióceses of Santo Domingo. Catholic editors, speakers and experts participate in this event.
Apr. 28 – 30 Dominican Annual Tourism Exchange (DATE): Dominican Republic’s National Hotel & Tourism Association, Asonahores, hosts the country’s leading travel booking event at the Barceló Convention Center in Punta Cana. www.DRDate.net
MAY
May. – Jul. Jazz Nights: Every Thursday night enjoy African and Caribbean Rhythms such as Plena, Rumba, Son, Pambiche, Mozambique, Merengue, Samba and more, all integrated with jazz. It takes place at the Escalinatas del Conde in the Colonial City.
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JUNE
Jun. Puerto Plata Cultural Festival: Normally held the third week of June, the Puerto Plata Cultural Festival offers an insight into Dominican culture with folk music, traditional African tribal dances, Salsa and Merengue. There are also many crafts exhibits from local artists.
Jun. 6 – 7 Punta Cana Food & Wine Festival: A gastronomic festival that combines high-end gastronomy with the Caribbean paradisiacal ambiance of Punta Cana. www.PuntacanaFoodandWine.com
Jun. Long Night at the Museums – Summer: For one night, all of the magnificent museums of Santo Domingo and other regions of Dominican Republic are open until midnight for free. www.cultura.gob.do
Jun. 2 – 9 100K of the Caribbean: A seven-day 100 km Caribbean marathon that spans from Cabarete to Samaná. The race will break into five stages between the towns Sosúa (8 km), Puerto Plata (17.5 km), Cabarete, (18 km), Las Terrenas (44.5 km) and Samaná (12 km).
Jun. 25 – 27 Caribbean Tourism Exchange (BTC): The BTC is held at the Dominican Fiesta Hotel & Casino in Santo Domingo and aims to market, promote and sell tourism products and services. www.BTC.com.do
AUGUST
Aug. Merengue & Caribbean Rhythms Festival: Plaza Juan Barón at Santo Domingo’s Seaside Boulevard, El Malecón, hosts the Merengue & Caribbean Rhythms Festival. The event features various styles of music including Merengue, Bachata, Salsa, Caribbean rhythms, Reggaeton, Reggae and much more.
SEPTEMBER Dominican Republic Annual Events for 2015
Sep. 9 – 11 ASONAHORES Trade Show: The annual trade show promotes goods and services offered by the local hotel and restaurant suppliers. The program also includes cooking contests, food tastings, auctions, event and product launches and more. www.Asonahores.com
Sep. Long Night at the Museums – Autumn: For one night, all of the magnificent museums of Santo Domingo and other regions of Dominican Republic are open until midnight for free. www.cultura.gob.do
OCTOBER
Oct. – Jan. Dominican Winter Professional Baseball: The Winter season kicks off with the Dominican Professional Baseball games taking place all across the country starting in October. Upon the end of the season, the Caribbean Series features the champion teams of Dominican Republic, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba and Venezuela.
Oct. Dominicana Moda: Dominican fashion is celebrated for one week in October. Top designers and brands showcase their seasonal lines in continuous runway shows. The event is typically held at the Occidental El Embajador Hotel in Santo Domingo. www.DominicanaModa.com
Oct. 2 – 5 Taste Santo Domingo: The most complete gastronomic event in the country. Here you can enjoy many activities like tastings, dinners, private events and awards as well as the exquisite cuisine that Dominican Republic offers. www.TasteSantoDomingo.com
Oct. 7 – 9 Discover Puerto Plata Marketplace: The annual event promotes Puerto Plata among the national and international markets, highlighting it as a complete and diversified Caribbean destination with a wide variety of accommodation options, excursions and tours. www.DiscoverPuertoPlata.com
NOVEMBER
Nov. Dominican Republic Jazz Festival: Annual cultural event held in Cabarete, Puerto Plata and Santiago; attracts large audiences who come to hear the best from international and national jazz musicians. www.DRJazzFestival.com
Nov. Santo Domingo Colonial Fest: A celebration of Santo Domingo’s cultural heritage, gastronomy, history and monuments. The event emphasizes the musical and artistic elements that formed the first city of the New World. www.ColonialFest.org
DECEMBER
Dec. Jazz Nights: Every Thursday night enjoy African and Caribbean Rhythms such as Plena, Rumba, Son, Pambiche, Mozambique, Merengue, Samba and more, all integrated with jazz. It takes place at the Escalinatas del Conde in the Colonial City.
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Dec. National Craft Fair: Local artists sell at the Colonial City of Santo Domingo a varied selection of handmade crafts. www.cultura.gob.do
Dec. Long Night at the Museums – Winter: For one night, all of the magnificent museums of Santo Domingo and other regions of Dominican Republic are open until midnight for free. www.cultura.gob.do
Dec. 31 New Year’s Celebration: A New Year’s celebration is held on the Avenida del Puerto and the Malecón in Santo Domingo. Bands play Merengue and fireworks are set off at midnight.
Dominican Republic Annual Events for 2015
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