Dominican Republic Holidays 2019

Holiday Calendar of Dominican Republic 2019 / Días Feriados 2019 Calendario

Dominican Republic Holidays / Días Feriados del 2019 and Important dates to remember.

Holidays – The Minister of Work announced the calendar for the celebration of the holidays for the year 2019 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 2019, establecidos en la Ley 139-97. www.ministeriodetrabajo.gob.do

Be aware – 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 these long weekends. The highways in and out of the city can be very congested with people coming and going.

Playa Juan Dolio in the morning
Playa Juan Dolio in the morning

January/ Enero

1 – Tuesday – New Year’s Day / Año Nuevo
6 – Sunday – Día de los Santos Reyes Magos – Epifania / Three Kings Day – Epiphany (what is 3 Kings Day?)
12 – Saturday – 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)
21 – Monday – Our Lady of Altagracia Day / Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia. (more information on Altagracia and a photo slide show of the Basilica de Higuey)
26 – Saturday – Natalicio de Juan Pablo Duarte / Duarte Birthday 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.
5 – Tuesday – Chinese New Year (celebrations for the Year of the Pig in China Town)
14 – Wednesday – Día de San Valentín / Valentine´s Day
27 – Wednesday – 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.

The Marines de la Guerra in the Military Parade / Desfile
The Marines de la Guerra in the Military Parade / Desfile

March/ Marzo

6 – Miércoles de Ceniza / Ash Wednesday – The first day of Lent
19 – Batalla del 19 de Marzo / Battle of March 19 / Important battle for independence was fought on March 19, 1844 in Azua
30 – Batalla del 30 de Marzo or Batalla de Santiago / Battle of March 30 or Battle of Santiago. Another battle won in the fight for independence fought in 1844.

April/ Abril

14 – Domingo de Ramos / Palm Sunday
19 – Viernes Santo / Good Friday (long weekend from Thursday the 18th to Sunday April 21st)
21 – Sunday – one of the biggest vacation times here. How do Dominicans celebrate Easter / Semana Santa? Read all about it.
21 – Sunday – Domingo de Pascua – Semana Santa / Easter

29 – Monday – Día del Trabajo / Labor Day (official day May 1st) (long weekend from Friday, April 26th to Monday the 29th)

May/ Mayo

26 – Sunday – Mother’s Day. (Always falls on the last Sunday in May)

Playing some typical music at Altos de Chavon
Playing some typical music at Altos de Chavon

The dates of all the Patronales/ Patron Saints celebrations are on the Patron Saint Celebrations Page.

June/ Junio

20 – Thursday – Corpus Christi Day

July/ Julio

28 – 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 – Tuedsday – Día de las Mercedes / Our Lady of Mercedes Day.(more information on Las Mercedes)

October / Octobre

14 – Monday – Día de Colón / Columbus Day

November/ Noviembre

4 – Monday – Día de la Constitución / Constitution Day (official date is the 6th but changed to make for a long weekend)

A life-sized Muñeca Sin Rostro / Faceless Doll on Calle el Conde with Christmas lights
A life-sized Muñeca Sin Rostro / Faceless Doll on Calle el Conde with Christmas lights.

December/ Decembre

25 – Wednesday – Día de Navidad / Christmas Day (How Dominicans celebrate Christmas)
31 – Tuesday – 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

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