DOMINICAN REPUBLIC ANNUAL EVENTS 2017 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/events
ALL YEAR-ROUND
January– December Santo Domingo de Fiesta: A free outdoor show with Dominican folk dancers that begins at 8 p.m. every Friday and Saturday at the Plaza de España in the Colonial City of Santo 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, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
JANUARY
January – March 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 from mid-January to March, but tours are available as long as whales are in the bay.
January 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 de El Conde in the Santo Domingo Colonial City at 8 p.m. www.facebook.com/tuciudadcolonial
January 7 – 11 Caribbean Laser Midwinter Regatta: The Annual Caribbean Laser Midwinter Regatta kicks off the world’s Laser Regatta calendar every January in Cabarete, the Kiteboarding Capital of the World. This event attracts top sailors from around the world and is hosted by the Laser Training Center with the assistance of the Dominican Sailing Federation. www.caribwind.com FEBRUARY
February – March 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, 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 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 de El Conde in the Santo Domingo Colonial City at 8 p.m. www.facebook.com/tuciudadcolonial
February Barceló Desalia Festival: Every year Ron Barceló Desalia gathers more than 5,000 visitors in a majestic event with a musical lineup formed by the best of the international electronic music scene, in the best beaches of the Caribbean. www.viveahoradesalia.com
February 19 – 24 Festival Procigar: More than 300 people from around the world gather at the Procigar Festival in La Romana, Puerto Plata and Santiago. The event includes a golf tournament, beach excursions, merengue classes, cigar workshops and more. www.procigar.org
February 23 – 27 Master of the Ocean: Annual competition of water sports 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
March 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 de El Conde in the Santo Domingo Colonial City at 8 p.m. www.facebook.com/tuciudadcolonial
March XTERRA Triathlon: The international organization XTERRA made Dominican Republic part of the international circuit of competitions of Off Road Triathlon and Trail Run, the most important on of its kind. www.xterradr.com
March 5 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
March 11 Punta Cana Carnival: Visitors and locals alike celebrate the carnival in Puntacana Village every March. The annual parade features carnival groups from throughout the country, costumed characters and live performances. www.puntacana.com
March 24 Caribbean Cigar Night: With the country’s longstanding history of producing some of the finest cigars in the world, this event, held in Puerto Plata, attracts a wide audience to learn about and sample some of the most prestigious local and international brands. The event also offers fine dining and live music. www.cigarnightpop.com
APRIL
April 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 de El Conde in the Santo Domingo Colonial City at 8 p.m. www.facebook.com/tuciudadcolonial
April Dominican Annual Tourism Exchange (DATE): Dominican Republic’s National Hotel & Tourism Association, ASONAHORES, hosts the country’s leading travel booking event at the Paradisus Palma Real in Punta Cana. www.drdate.net
April 21 – May 2 International Book Fair: The fair is held at the Plaza de la Cultura in Santo Domingo. Writers, editors, speakers and experts participate in this event. www.cultura.gob.do
MAY
May 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 national and international fame will showcase their collections. www.mbfwsd.com
May XTERRA Triathlon: The international organization XTERRA made Dominican Republic part of the international circuit of competitions of Off Road Triathlon and Trail Run, the most important on of its kind. www.xterradr.com
JUNE
June Web.com Tour: Play along cliffs, lakes and spectacular views of the Caribbean Sea in the field designed by Tom Fazio - Los Corales Golf Club - at the Puntacana Resort & Club, the new home of the popular golf tournament Web.com Tour. Here, every June, professional golfers, who have not yet reached reach the PGA Tour, compete to win the entrance card to the famous PGA Tour, celebrated in the USA. www.pgatour.com
June Expo Turismo Santiago: Held at the Gran Almirante Convention Center in Santiago, this holiday fair involves airlines, cruise lines, tour operators and hotels that will offer attractive rates and tour packages, providing the public the opportunity to take advantage of special rates.
June Aventúrate: Celebrated at the Botanical Garden of Santo Domingo, Aventúrate is a sustainable alternative tourism fair, where more than 50 small and medium enterprises will be offering products and services that enrich tourism alternative national. From 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. For more information go to www.aventurate.do
June 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
June Barbarella: One of the biggest electronic music events in the Dominican Republic, and it is presented by Cervecería Nacional Dominicana, which has had the commitment to do this kind of entertainment events for thousands of followers and consumers.. www.barbarellabypresidente.com
June 14 – 18 100K del Caribe: A seven-day 100 km Caribbean marathon that spans from Cabarete to Samaná. The race will break into five stages between the towns of Sosúa (8 km), Puerto Plata (17.5 km), Cabarete, (18 km), Las Terrenas (44.5 km) and Samaná (12 km). www.100kmdelcaribe.com
JULY
July XTERRA Triathlon: The international organization XTERRA made Dominican Republic part of the international circuit of competitions of Off Road Triathlon and Trail Run, the most important on of its kind. www.xterradr.com
July Punta Cana Food & Wine Festival: A gastronomic festival that combines high-end gastronomy with the Caribbean paradisiacal ambiance of Punta Cana. www.puntacanafoodandwine.com
AUGUST
August Verano Presidente: The Cervecería Nacional Dominicana celebrates summer with spice space where the audience will experience every weekend the most exciting parties and surprises. Live musical performances, games, national and international DJs, a special assembly, among other attractions. www.presidente.com.do
SEPTEMBER
September DR Golf Travel Exchange: Held at Barceló Bávaro Palace Deluxe, in Punta Cana, DR Golf Travel Exchange displays all facilities and advantages that Dominican Republic offers in golf tourism through its unique courses and workshops - allowing a meeting between the national hotel sector and international tour operators, agents travel and trade press in different media. www.drgolftravel.com
September ASONAHORES Trade Show: The annual trade show, held at Barceló Bávaro Beach Convention Center, in Punta Cana, 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
September Palito Seco: A sailing competition in the magnificent Bay of Barahona. Enjoy the sweet tropical winds and waves of the beautiful beaches of Barahona, in a sporting and relaxed atmosphere. The categories that participate are Laser (Radial and Standard), Optimist, Sunfish, and Windsurfing and Paddle categories.
OCTOBER
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 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
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 Occidental Embajador Hotel in Santo Domingo. www.dominicanamoda.com
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 NOVEMBER
November 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 de El Conde in the Santo Domingo Colonial City at 8 p.m. www.facebook.com/tuciudadcolonial
November Santo Domingo Destino Capital: The event seeks to showcase the capital city as a contemporary and magnificent destination for travelers, as well an excellent choice for meetings, incentives, conventions and events –MICE segment. www.cometosantodomingo.com
November Puerto Plata Golf Classic: This event has quickly become a favorite between local golfers and very well received among foreign players. It takes place in the Playa Dorada Golf Course, designed by the renowned Robert Trent Jones. www.ashonorte.com
November 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.
November 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, reggae and much more.
November Dominican Republic Jazz Festival: Annual cultural event held in Santo Domingo, Cabarete, Puerto Plata and Santiago; attracts large audiences who come to hear the best from international and national jazz musicians. www.drjazzfestival.com
November Colonial Fest: The Santo Domingo Colonial Fest (CFEST) is a celebration to commemorate the culture, cuisine, and history of the Dominican Republic, creating awareness and appreciation of the Dominican authenticity and idiosyncrasy. For more information www.colonialfest.org
DECEMBER
December 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 de El Conde in the Santo Domingo Colonial City at 8 p.m. www.facebook.com/tuciudadcolonial
December National Craft Fair: Local artists sell at the Colonial City of Santo Domingo a varied selection of Dominican handmade crafts. www.cultura.gob.do
December 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.
For an updated list of events in Dominican Republic visit: www.GoDominicanRepublic.com/events
News releases, images and the press kit also can be accessed from the official DR Ministry of Tourism website: www.GoDominicanRepublic.com. For additional photos, broll and more specific needs, please contact Annie Holschuh ([email protected]) BVK Word for the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism.
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