Dominican Republic Holidays – Only The Most Festive

Among the best ways to enjoy the Caribbean is to visit the Dominican Republic during one of its most festive holidays. Although celebrations, street parties and performances are held year round, there are particular festivities that people enjoy the most. Among them are following:

The Carnaval
On top of the serene beaches and the beautiful Dominican people, the most popular images of the Republic are composed mainly of the Mardi Gras-like festival called the Carnival.

The Carnaval is a month-long celebration that falls in February. It culminates on the last week of the month, usually on the 26th or 27th and is participated by over a hundred thousand people, local and tourists alike, in many towns nationwide. It is one of those holidays that are waited with so much anticipation as it offers not only the festivities typical of the Dominicans, but also a wide array of experiences that are meant to electrify the participants.

The Carnaval has a long history of celebration. The first Carnaval took place in 1520 in La Vega where the most spirited celebrations are held today. Other provinces, on the other hand, hold their own versions of the Carnaval. Santiago, for example, celebrates it twice in a year – one in February, another in August. In Puerto Plata, the celebrations showcase the culmination of the all the cultures found in the Dominican Republic – from African influences to European elements.

What is Carnaval without the traditional characters? Carnavals are known for producing distinct characters that are mostly medieval in features. La Vega owns the most recognizable characters in the entire nation – the 'Diablo Cojuelo' or the Limping Dragon.

The Festival del Santo Cristo de Bayaguana
With a tradition that began with the offering of a bull to the Santo Cristo for rainfall in 1604, the Festival del Santo Cristo de Bayaguana has come a long way in the Dominican Republic's culture. In the years following the first bull offering, miracles have happened that have been closely connected with the festival. Among them is the apparition of Jesus Christ to a young girl. This was said to have caused the girl's mother's vision to return.

Nowadays, although the festival remains pagan in features, it is mostly dedicated for the Catholic Church. The proceeds of the festivals are usually used in Church programs in the province.

The Festival del Santo Cristo de Bayaguana is a mixture of solemn celebrations and the Dominicans' unique way of honoring festivities. Prayers and hymns go alongside dancing, singing, and of course, feasting.

 Merengue Festival
The Dominicans take pride in their traditional musical instruments. This is why every year, from the third week of July into the first of August, they celebrate a musical festival known as the Meringue Festival

Meringue acts, musicians and performers all over the world gather in the province of Santo Domingo to showcase the true Dominican music every year.

If you are looking to truly enjoy the Dominican Republic holidays, visit the country on the days when its festivities are at their peak.

Dominican Republic Holidays – La Quinceanera

To the outside world, La Quinceanera may not be as big a celebration as other Dominican Republic holidays and they are right. This does not mean though that this is less celebratory. What makes La Quinceanera a special event is that it happens all year round, more private maybe, but just as important.

Here is why.

In many countries, when a girl reaches 16 years old, the girl has approached womanhood. celebrated, well yes, but not as grand. In Spanish influenced countries, 15 or quince is the right time. It is the transition from being a child to a marriageable age. The celebration starts with the most important component, the thanksgiving mass or the misa de accion de gracias. The thanksgiving mass closely approximates a wedding where the girl will march the aisle flanked by godparents, dressed in full length fancy dress, a matching headdress and sits on the foot of the altar conducted in her honor. As many as seven maids of honor and chamberlains form part of the entourage selected among close family and friends. At the end of the mass, commemorative favors are passed to those in attendance and the girl deposits her bouquet at the foot of the Virgin Mary.

After the mass the partying begins.

The party is as opulent as the resources of the parents allow, although several padrinos and madrinos are usually invited to sponsor the dress, the band, table favors, the venue, the bar and other multiple expenses incurred in the celebrations. Visitors to one of the Dominican Republic holidays observing or invited to these celebrations will find out often that the opulence is often so grand compared to most birthday bashes in most countries. Here we are speaking of birthday cakes with decorations to match the celebrant's dress and which might require removing the door from its hinges if the cake is to be brought inside the celebration hall.

All throughout the celebration, a raucous cumbia, salsa and banda tunes dominate. These stop only when the celebrant and her number one escort dance the obligatory waltz. Usually, when the parents are well heeled, a viaje follows the celebrations where the celebrant travels to European destinations.

Not every girl wants to celebrate her quinceanera in a spectacular fashion, in the manner that not all brides want a spectacular weeding. The tradition, though, is to please the parents and to have a celebration as much as resources allow. No matter, the purpose of the celebration is to remind the girl what the celebration is about and to remind everyone that the girl is now a woman.

If seen from the outside, the quinceanera is a celebration to advertise the daughter to possible grooms of good standing. The origin, however, is suggested to have come from ancient Aztec tribes where the community celebrates the passage from childhood to womanhood. Regardless, this rite of passage is one for those holidays and celebrations that has kept Latino culture and family firmly grounded with the community.

Dominican Republic Holidays – La Carnaval

The Carnaval is a colorful vibrant celebration in the Dominican Republic lasting the entire month of February culminating on the 26th or the 27th of the month.

This is one holiday in the Republic that is much awaited with anticipation very much like Christians counting the days 'til Christmas although in a different manner. A big part of the celebration are parades that convey in part the story of their traditions, with costumes and decorations, and electrifying upbeat music. The Carnaval holiday celebration in the Dominican Republic is one of those holidays that bring so much spectacle and fun that should never be missed. It is also one of those holidays that should be participated by every person at least once in his or her lifetime.

If the celebrations were focused mainly on the nation's capital as most holidays and celebrations are done, it could be exhausting and the visitor may be tempted to have enough after a few days of rambunctious participation. In the Dominican Republic though, while the whole nation participates, each town has traditions particular to the town or locality promoting its own twists and variations. What results is a cacophony of localized presentation that there are as many twists to the celebrations of this holiday as there are as many towns in the nation. Little wonder why this is a one-month event.

In many cultures around the world, the use of masks and costumes has been used to symbolize spirits and other spiritual entities long before recorded history. The natives of the Americas and Africa, in particular, used these symbols either to hide themselves from spiritual entities, to supplicate or to emulate them. That is how it all started.

Then, natives of the surrounding islands called Tainos practiced festivities (called Arietos) as part of wedding celebrations, to commemorate a loved one, to honor the dead, to signify important events. But mostly, these celebrations were originally done to appeal to the spirits for a bountiful harvest and productive planting.

Even then, these celebrations were very colorful as natives decorate themselves with pigments, tattoos, trinkets, masks, feathers and whatever is naturally available to them, lending it a festive colorful event instead of the traditional manner of praying to the gods for which it was originally intended. The arrival of Africans to the Island during the height of the slave trade gave the festivities added variety by bringing in and incorporating their own traditions, thereby contributing more fun to the carnaval festivities.

The arrival of the Spanish conquistadores to the Island and its subsequent Christianization added more flavor to the celebration. The Spanish priests then, recognizing that the festivities were a pagan ritual tried Christianizing the event that only made it more colorful with additional vestments, costumes and images and where the natives of the Islands incorporated Christian beliefs with native traditions.

La Carnaval, as the people of the Dominican Republic calls, is an event that evolved through time, making it more colorful and eventful than today. The original meaning may have been lost to most, but the intent to celebrate life as it happens is still depicted in every movement, music, costume and interaction with everyone, natives and visitors alike.

Dominican Republic Holidays And Places To Go To

Set right in the middle of the Caribbean Island, the Dominican Republic is a true paradise that will appeal to many kinds of tourists. That's why Dominican Republic holidays are very much popular. Whether you are a thrill seeker or a laid back individual, the facilities and the lay of the land can provide you with the means to have the ultimate vacation. The most popular aspect of the region is the beach. Its white sand beaches, beautiful resorts, and turquoise waters are a magnificent spectacle to behold, not to mention that they provide the perfect atmosphere for the ultimate beach get-away.

Despite the surge in tourism, the Dominican Republic is very much attached to its local culture and identity as a tropical paradise. It became the first settlement in the New World when Christopher Columbus discovered the beautiful island in 1496. Despite the constant pouring in of tourists, the Dominican Republic still maintained its Spanish heritage. This explains the Latin American culture that permeates through the localities and its daily habits.

The region is not devoid of excitement since Latin American culture provides a twist that should satiate the thrill seeker. Travel by bike-taxi is a cheap and popular form of transportation within the island, and it can take you almost anywhere. Some of the favorite sporting activities on the streets are dominoes and baseball. If you loiter long enough on the streets, you'll most probably get an invite to join in!
The major resort area is Punta Cana, which can be found in the East Coast of the region. The amount of its visitors comprises more than half of all the Dominican Republic's tourists. The beach spans 50 kilometers, which makes it the longest beach in the Caribbean. Walking the whole stretch of that beach amidst the breathtaking scenery and the infectious music of the meringue is a popular activity among tourists.

In the North Coast is where you'll find the Amber Coast, called by its name because of the amber deposits that can be excavated from its sands and rocks. The capital of the region, Puerto Plata, is known for its lively vibe. It has many attractions that are both modern and cultural. It has historic buildings, museums, and golf courses. The city also never sleeps since it has a lot of interesting nightspots where you can party until the wee hours of the morning. If you are in the mood for adventure, you don't have to look further than Cabarete. Windsurfing made Cabarete famous. It is the ideal spot for the windsurfing because of the relatively flat water in the bay and the constancy of the trade winds. Other outdoor activities that Cabarete is famous for is wakeboarding, surfing and kite boarding.

Down in the South is where you'll find Santo Domingo, the capital and largest city of the Dominican Republic. In the colonial quarter is where historical landmarks such as Calle El Conde, the Puerta de la Misericordia, and the Catedral Santa María La Menor are located. Outside is the commercial center, where you can dine at the prestigious restaurants and go shopping at the malls.

Cheap packages are always on offer for the Dominican Republic holidays. The spend you time in the Dominican Republic will be priceless. Don't forget to knock your friends senseless with your version of the merengue dance when you go back!

Dominican Republic Holidays And Festivals

The holidays and festivals in the Dominican Republic are some of the most prestigious and festive celebrations in the whole world. The pageantry, lively music, garish costumes, and the happy disposition of its locals all contribute to the ebullience of the festivities. Tourists around the world come regularly to the beautiful island to join in on the fun and excitement.

Most of the holidays being celebrated in the Dominican Republic pay homage to the tenets of Christianity. This is no surprise because the Dominican culture is of Hispanic origin. In fact, there seems to be a celebration everyday from somewhere in the country as all municipalities and towns have their own patron saints to commemorate on a particular day of the year.

VIRGEN DE ALTAGRACIA
The most important religious celebration in the Dominican culture is the La Dia de la Virgen de Altagracia, which is celebrated on January 21. The Virgen de Altagracia, known as Our Lady of the Highest Grace, is the patron virgin of the Dominican Republic. In this holiday, thousands of Dominicans set out on a several day pilgrimage to the magnificent basilica of the Higuey.

LA CARNIVAL
Held every Sunday throughout the whole month of February, the La Carnival is the most anticipated and exciting festival in the Dominican Republic. It is a time for partying, with the locals donning their traditional demon costumes and dancing incessantly to the lively tempo of the band's music. The Carnival is concluded by a massive parade to the Malecón on February 27 to herald the coming of Independence Day.

LA DIA DE INDEPENDENCIA
The La Carnival is just a prelude to a party that is so much bigger. Held on February 27, the La Dia De Independencia (Independence Day) marks the day of the Dominican Republic's independence from Haiti. Same with the La Carnival, this particular day involves a lot of dancing, parades, eating, and drinking. It's the apex of the celebrations that started during the carnival. In a manner of speaking, the La Dia De Independencia is the party to end all parties!

LA NAVIDAD
La Navidad is celebrated on December 25, which is actually Christmas, just like in the United States and many parts of the world. The usual serving of food among families and exchanging of gifts is done to celebrate the day. The only difference is that the locals attend a midnight mass before proceeding with the actual celebrations.

THE MERENGUE FESTIVAL
The Merengue is the most popular music and dance in the Dominican Republic. Every year in July, the Dominicans stage a 10-day celebration filled with parties, music, dancing, and concerts. The festival begins with a parade, complete with bands, dancers, and men in costume. Even hotels and clubs organize their own events and concerts in lieu of this particular holiday. And of course, they all dance to the tune of the exotic and upbeat rhythm of the merengue.

The Dominicans, aside from being a religious bunch, are a festive group of people, which is quite telling when you consider the manner in which they celebrate their holidays. Truth to tell, they love to party and have fun all the time even in ordinary days. So if you want a truly unique and fun holiday, the Dominican Republic is the perfect place to go to.