DOMINICANREPUBLICANNUALEVENTS2016
Forthemostcurrenteventlistingswithconfirmeddates,pleasevisittheDominicanRepublicMinistryofTourism’s
officialwebsiteandeventcalendarat:www.GoDominicanRepublic.com/events.
ALLYEAR-ROUND
January–December
SantoDomingodeFiesta:AfreeoutdoorshowwithDominicanfolkdancersthatbegins
at8p.m.everyFridayandSaturdayatthePlazadeEspañaintheColonialCityofSanto
Domingo.
January–December
Grupo Bonyé at the Colonial City: Free musical performances of Merengue, Jazz and
Son held every Sunday in the Ruinas de San Francisco, Santo Domingo Colonial City,
from5p.m.to10p.m.
January–December
SantoDomingoBird-Watching:ThefirstSundayofeverymonththeBotanicalGardens
in Santo Domingo host a guided bird observation, where you’ll find endemic and
migratorybirds.Visitorsmeetatthemainentranceat7a.m.
JANUARY
January–March
Whale Watching in Samaná: Watch the 3,000 to 5,000 whales that migrate to the
watersoftheSamanáBayonaguidedboattourorfromthelandattheobservatoryin
Punta Balandra. The official whale-watching season runs from mid-January to March,
buttoursareavailableaslongaswhalesareinthebay.
January
JazzNights:EveryThursdaynightenjoyAfricanandCaribbeanRhythmssuchasPlena,
Rumba,Son,Pambiche,Mozambique,Merengue,Sambaandmore,allintegratedwith
jazz.IttakesplaceattheEscalinatasdeElCondeintheSantoDomingoColonialCityat8
p.m.www.facebook.com/tuciudadcolonial
FEBRUARY
February–March
DominicanCarnival:Withoriginsdatingbackto1520,DominicanCarnivalisatradition
inherited from Spanish forefathers. Celebrated every Sunday of February, Carnival
Paradesandentertainmentvarybycity,amongthemPuertoPlata,PuntaCana,RíoSan
Juan, Bonao, Constanza, La Vega, Montecristi, Samaná, Higüey, La Romana, Santiago
and Santo Domingo. La Vega is home to the most popular celebration in Dominican
Republic.www.cultura.gob.do
February
Larimar Surfing Championship: The competition held by the Dominican Surfing
Federation(FEDOSURF)takesplaceatthePlayaLosPatosinBarahona.Allathletesare
welcome to register and participate in the different categories, such as surfing,
bodyboardingandlongboarding.www.fedosurf.org
February1–7
CaribbeanWorldSeries:SomeofthebestbaseballintheworldwillbeplayedinSanto
Domingo, when the Caribbean Series takes place at the Quisqueya Juan Marichal
Stadium.ThechampionshipmatchesthebestbaseballteamsfromVenezuela,Mexico,
PuertoRico,CubaandtheDominicanRepublic.
February21–26
FestivalProcigar:Morethan300peoplefromaroundtheworldgatherattheProcigar
FestivalinLaRomana,PuertoPlataandSantiago.Theeventincludesagolftournament,
beachexcursions,merengueclasses,cigarworkshopsandmore.www.procigar.org
February23–28
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,
kiteboardingandStandUpPaddle(SUP).www.masteroftheocean.com
February
JazzNights:EveryThursdaynightenjoyAfricanandCaribbeanRhythmssuchasPlena,
Rumba,Son,Pambiche,Mozambique,Merengue,Sambaandmore,allintegratedwith
jazz.IttakesplaceattheEscalinatasdelConde,SantoDomingoColonialCityat8p.m.
www.facebook.com/tuciudadcolonial
MARCH
March
Caribbean Cigar Night: With the country’s longstanding history of producing some of
thefinestcigarsintheworld,thisevent,heldinPuertoPlata,attractsawideaudience
tolearnaboutandsamplesomeofthemostprestigiouslocalandinternationalbrands.
Theeventalsooffersfinediningandlivemusic.www.cigarnightpop.com
March
GastroFest: Held every March, this gastronomic event invites the main hotels and
restaurantsofSantoDomingotopresenttheDominicancuisine.Hereyou’llfindtasting,
cocktails,livemusicandcontests.
March
LongNightoftheMuseums-Spring:Foronenight,allofthemagnificentmuseumsof
Santo Domingo, including the Colonial City, and other regions of Dominican Republic
areopenuntilmidnightforfree.www.cultura.gob.do
March6
National Carnival Parade: Held along the Malecón of Santo Domingo, typical carnival
characters from around Dominican Republic meet and create an unforgettable show.
www.cultura.gob
March12
PuntaCanaCarnival:VisitorsandlocalsalikecelebratethecarnivalinPuntaCanaVillage
everyMarch.Theannualparadefeaturescarnivalgroupsfromthroughoutthecountry,
costumedcharactersandliveperformances.www.puntacana.com
March
JazzNights:EveryThursdaynightenjoyAfricanandCaribbeanRhythmssuchasPlena,
Rumba,Son,Pambiche,Mozambique,Merengue,Sambaandmore,allintegratedwith
jazz.IttakesplaceattheEscalinatasdelConde,SantoDomingoColonialCityat8p.m.
www.facebook.com/tuciudadcolonial
APRIL
April18–22
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week: Santo Domingo joins the exclusive list of the few
international cities to host the elite Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. Here, designers of
nationalandinternationalfamewillshowcasetheircollections.www.mbfwsd.com
April19–21
Dominican Annual Tourism Exchange (DATE): Dominican Republic’s National Hotel &
TourismAssociation,ASONAHORES,hoststhecountry’sleadingtravelbookingeventat
theParadisusPalmaRealinPuntaCana.www.drdate.net
April20–May1
International Book Fair: The fair is held at the Plaza de la Cultura in Santo Domingo.
Writers,editors,speakersandexpertsparticipateinthisevent.www.cultura.gob.do
April
JazzNights:EveryThursdaynightenjoyAfricanandCaribbeanRhythmssuchasPlena,
Rumba,Son,Pambiche,Mozambique,Merengue,Sambaandmore,allintegratedwith
jazz.IttakesplaceattheEscalinatasdelCondeintheSantoDomingoColonialCityat8
p.m.www.facebook.com/tuciudadcolonial
MAY
May
JazzNights:EveryThursdaynightenjoyAfricanandCaribbeanRhythmssuchasPlena,
Rumba,Son,Pambiche,Mozambique,Merengue,Sambaandmore,allintegratedwith
jazz.IttakesplaceattheEscalinatasdelCondeintheSantoDomingoColonialCityat8
p.m.www.facebook.com/tuciudadcolonial
May30–June5
PGATour:ThecoursedesignedbyTomFazio-LosCorales-inPuntacanaResort&Club
willhostthefamedPGATourLatinAmerica.Playalongthecliffs,bays,oceaninletsand
naturalinlandlakeswithspectacularviewsoftheCaribbeanSea.www.pgatour.com
JUNE
June
JazzNights:EveryThursdaynightenjoyAfricanandCaribbeanRhythmssuchasPlena,
Rumba,Son,Pambiche,Mozambique,Merengue,Sambaandmore,allintegratedwith
jazz.IttakesplaceattheEscalinatasdeElCondeintheSantoDomingoColonialCityat8
p.m.www.facebook.com/tuciudadcolonial
June
LongNightoftheMuseums-Summer:Foronenight,allofthemagnificentmuseums
ofSantoDomingo,includingtheColonialCity,andotherregionsofDominicanRepublic
areopenuntilmidnightforfree.www.cultura.gob.do
June
June
June7–11
June23–26
PuertoPlataCulturalFestival:NormallyheldthethirdweekofJune,thePuertoPlata
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
localartists.
Punta Cana Food & Wine Festival: A gastronomic festival that combines high-end
gastronomy with the Caribbean paradisiacal ambiance of Punta Cana.
www.puntacanafoodandwine.com
100KdelCaribe:Aseven-day100kmCaribbeanmarathonthatspansfromCabareteto
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).
www.100kmdelcaribe.com
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
JULY
July
JazzNights:EveryThursdaynightenjoyAfricanandCaribbeanRhythmssuchasPlena,
Rumba,Son,Pambiche,Mozambique,Merengue,Sambaandmore,allintegratedwith
jazz.IttakesplaceattheEscalinatasdeElConde,SantoDomingoColonialCityat8p.m.
www.facebook.com/tuciudadcolonial
AUGUST
August
Merengue&CaribbeanRhythmsFestival:PlazaJuanBarónatSantoDomingo'sSeaside
Boulevard, El Malecón, hosts the Merengue & Caribbean Rhythms Festival. The event
featuresvariousstylesofmusicincludingmerengue,bachata,salsa,Caribbeanrhythms,
reggaeton,reggaeandmuchmore.
SEPTEMBER
September
ASONAHORES Trade Show: The annual trade show promotes goods and services
offeredbythelocalhotelandrestaurantsuppliers.Theprogramalsoincludescooking
contests, food tastings, auctions, event and product launches and more.
www.asonahores.com
September
LongNightoftheMuseums-Autumn:Foronenight,allofthemagnificentmuseumsof
Santo Domingo, including the Colonial City, and other regions of Dominican Republic
areopenuntilmidnightforfree.www.cultura.gob.do
September
Merengue & Caribbean Rhythms Festival: Puerto Plata’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,reggaeandmuchmore.
OCTOBER
October–January
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.
www.lidom.com
October
TasteSantoDomingo:Themostcompletegastronomiceventinthecountry.Hereyou
canenjoymanyactivitiesliketastings,dinners,privateeventsandawardsaswellasthe
exquisitecuisinethatDominicanRepublicoffers.www.tastesantodomingo.com
October
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
October
October
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 El Embajador Hotel in Santo Domingo.
www.dominicanamoda.com
DRGolfTravelExchange:HeldinOctoberinSantoDomingo,JuanDolioandPuntaCana
DRGolfTravelExchangedisplaysallfacilitiesandadvantagesthatDominicanRepublic
offers in golf tourism through its unique courses, workshops - allowing a meeting
between the national hotel sector and international tour operators, agents travel and
tradepressindifferentmedia.www.drgolftravel.com
NOVEMBER
November
JazzNights:EveryThursdaynightenjoyAfricanandCaribbeanRhythmssuchasPlena,
Rumba,Son,Pambiche,Mozambique,Merengue,Sambaandmore,allintegratedwith
jazz.IttakesplaceattheEscalinatasdeElConde,SantoDomingoColonialCityat8p.m.
www.facebook.com/tuciudadcolonial
November
Puerto Plata Golf Classic: This event has quickly become a favorite between local
golfersandverywellreceivedamongforeignplayers.IttakesplaceinthePlayaDorada
GolfCourse,designedbytherenownedRobertTrentJones.www.ashonorte.com
November8–12
Dominican Republic Jazz Festival: Annual cultural event held in Santo Domingo,
Cabarete, Puerto Plata and Santiago; attracts large audiences who come to hear the
bestfrominternationalandnationaljazzmusicians.www.drjazzfestival.com
DECEMBER
December
JazzNights:EveryThursdaynightenjoyAfricanandCaribbeanRhythmssuchasPlena,
Rumba,Son,Pambiche,Mozambique,Merengue,Sambaandmore,allintegratedwith
jazz. It takes place at the Escalinatas de El Conde in the Colonial City at 8 p.m.
www.facebook.com/tuciudadcolonial
December
LongNightoftheMuseums-Winter:Foronenight,allofthemagnificentmuseumsof
Santo Domingo, including the Colonial City, and other regions of Dominican Republic
areopenuntilmidnightforfree.www.cultura.gob.do
December
National Craft Fair: Local artists sell at the Colonial City of Santo Domingo a varied
selectionofhandmadecrafts.www.cultura.gob.do
December
ParkofLights-BrillanteNavidad:DuringthemonthofDecember,ParqueIberoamérica
becomesaChristmastimecitylightshow.Here,27millionmulticoloredlightsilluminate
small picturesque houses and food stands. The new amphitheater showcases free
concerts, artistic presentations and even magic shows. Open daily from 6 p.m. to
midnight.
December31
New Year’s Celebration: A New Year’s celebration is held on the Avenida del Puerto
andtheMalecóninSantoDomingo.Bandsplaymerengueandfireworksaresetoffat
midnight.