Holiday Calendar of Dominican Republic 2018 / Días Feriados 2018
Holidays – The Minister of Work announced the calendar for the celebration of the holidays for the year 2018 according to the law 139-97 / Días Festivos – El Ministerio de Trabajo anuncia el calendario para la celebración de los días feriados para el año 2018, establecidos en la Ley 139-97. www.ministeriodetrabajo.gob.do
January/ Enero
1 – Monday – New Year’s Day / Año Nuevo
6 – Monday – Día de los Santos Reyes Magos – Epifania / Three Kings Day – Epiphany (what is 3 Kings Day?)
12 – Friday – Día de la Resistencia Heroica/ Day of Heroic Resistance (this is the first year for this day to honor the men and women who fought for a fairer society)
15 – to End of March – Whale Watching (the best place to observe is the Samana Bay)
16 – Friday – Chinese New Year (celebrations for the Year of the Dog in China Town)
21 – Sunday – Our Lady of Altagracia Day / Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia. (more information on Altagracia and a photo slide show of the Basilica de Higuey)
29 – Monday – Duarte Day celebrated. Juan Pablo Duarte was born on the 26th.(more information on Duarte).
February/ Febrero
1 thru 28 Las Fiestas de Carnaval Dominicano / Dominican Carnival Parties Carnival Dominicano/ Dominican Carnival celebrations happen all month. The weekends are when different communities hold their parades and celebrations. Usually the ultimate parade on the Malecon in Santo Domingo with the best of the best is held the first Sunday in March.
14 – Miércoles de Ceniza / Ash Wednesday – The first day of Lent
14 – Wednesday – Día de San Valentín / Valentine´s Day
25 – Sunday/ Domingo The big Carnival Parade on the Malecon in Santo Domingo.
27 – Tuesday – Día de la Independencia / Independence Day – Día de la Bandera / Flag Day. Dominicans celebrate February 27, 1844 as their Independence Day. This the day the country declared its independence again and retook the name República Dominicana (Dominican Republic). A constitution modeled on that of the United States was put forth in November 1844.
March/ Marzo
26 – Domingo de Ramos / Palm Sunday
30 – Viernes Santo / Good Friday (long weekend from Thursday the 29th to Sunday April 1st)
April/ Abril
1 – Sunday – one of the biggest vacation times here. How do Dominicans celebrate Easter / Semana Santa? Read all about it.
1 – Sunday – Domingo de Pascua – Semana Santa / Easter
30 – Monday – Día del Trabajo / Labor Day (official day May 1st) (long weekend from Friday, April 27th to Monday the 30th)
May/ Mayo
27 – Sunday – Mother’s Day. (Always falls on the last Sunday in May)
The dates of all the Patronales/ Patron Saints celebrations are on the Patron Saint Celebrations Page.
31 – Thursday – Corpus Christi Day
June/ Junio
July/ Julio
29 – Sunday – Father’s Day (Always falls on the last Sunday in July)
August/ Agusto
16 – Friday – Restoration Day/ Día de Restauración (more information on Restoration Day)
September/ Septiembre
24 – Monday – Día de las Mercedes / Our Lady of Mercedes Day.(more information on Las Mercedes)
October / Octobre
8 – Monday – Día de Colón / Columbus Day
November/ Noviembre
7 – Monday – Día de la Constitución / Constitution Day (official date is the 6th but changed to make for a long weekend)
December/ Decembre
25 – Tuesday – Día de Navidad / Christmas Day (How Dominicans celebrate Christmas)
31 – Monday – New Years Eve (New Year traditions)
The dates of all the Patronales/ Patron Saints celebrations are on the Patron Saint Celebrations Page.
Be aware that on the long weekends the cities usually empty out as most people head to the beaches or the country. Hotels are usually booked to capacity with Dominicans enjoying the long weekends. The highways in and out of the city can be very congested with people coming and going.
How To Say Months and Days In Spanish
JANUARY / ENERO | FEBRUARY / FEBRERO | MARCH / MARZO | APRIL / ABRIL | MAY / MAYO | JUNE / JUNIO | JULY / JULIO | AUGUST / AGOSTO | SEPTEMBER / SEPTIEMBRE | OCTOBER / OCTUBRE | NOVEMBER / NOVIEMBRE | DECEMBER / DICIEMBRE
Monday / Lunes | Tuesday / Martes | Wednesday / Miércoles | Thursday / Jueves | Friday / Viernes | Saturday / Sábado | Sunday / Domingo