Dominican Republic Public Holidays
Dominican Republic Public Holidays
Searching for the national holidays in Dominican Republic? All public holidays in Dominican Republic are treated like Sundays. This means that most of the Dominican Republic employees have a day off and all schools are closed on these office holidays. If you are planning a trip to Dominican Republic and want to know what the national and regional holidays are, check the details in the tables below.
The Dominican Republic, located on the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean, celebrates a wide array of public holidays throughout the year. These holidays reflect the country’s rich history, cultural diversity, and strong religious traditions, especially the country’s predominantly Roman Catholic heritage. Public holidays in the Dominican Republic include a mixture of national celebrations, religious observances, and significant historical commemorations, each offering a unique insight into the nation’s identity and values. From the celebration of independence to the honoring of religious figures, these holidays provide opportunities for both reflection and celebration, fostering unity and national pride.
National Holidays in Dominican Republic
1. New Year’s Day (Día de Año Nuevo) – January 1
Date: January 1
Description: New Year’s Day in the Dominican Republic is a national holiday that marks the beginning of the new year. It is a time for family gatherings, parties, and social events. Many people in the Dominican Republic celebrate the evening before with fireworks, music, and large gatherings. The day is a moment for rest and reflection, and most businesses, government offices, and schools are closed for the day. The day is filled with festive meals, family celebrations, and a sense of renewal.
Observance: Nationally
Days Off: 1
2. Independence Day (Día de la Independencia) – February 27
Date: February 27
Description: Independence Day is one of the most important public holidays in the Dominican Republic, commemorating the country’s independence from Haiti on February 27, 1844. The day is celebrated with military parades, patriotic speeches, and ceremonies throughout the country. The event marks the Dominican Republic’s struggle for sovereignty and its establishment as an independent nation. People express national pride through flag-raising ceremonies, cultural performances, and other festivities.
Observance: Nationally
Days Off: 1
3. Good Friday (Viernes Santo) – Varies (March/April)
Date: Varies (March/April)
Description: Good Friday is a Christian holiday that commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It is a solemn day of reflection and religious observance in the Dominican Republic. Many Dominicans attend church services, participate in processions, and engage in moments of prayer. The day is considered one of the most important holidays in the Christian liturgical calendar. It is marked by solemn observances and is a public holiday, with most businesses, schools, and government offices closed.
Observance: Nationally
Days Off: 1
4. Labour Day (Día del Trabajo) – May 1
Date: May 1
Description: Labour Day is a public holiday that honors the contributions of workers and the labor movement. It is a day for recognizing workers’ rights, celebrating labor achievements, and reflecting on the progress made in improving conditions for workers. Labour unions often organize marches, demonstrations, and speeches in the cities. While the day focuses on workers’ rights, it is also a time for rest, with most people enjoying the day off.
Observance: Nationally
Days Off: 1
5. Corpus Christi (Corpus Christi) – Varies (May/June)
Date: Varies (May/June)
Description: Corpus Christi is a Catholic holiday that celebrates the Eucharist and the body of Christ. In the Dominican Republic, it is a religious observance marked by Mass and other church services. Many Dominicans observe this day with religious processions, especially in towns with large Catholic populations. Although it is not widely celebrated with festive events, the day is one of reflection and reverence for the Catholic community.
Observance: Nationally, especially in Catholic communities
Days Off: 1
6. Restoration Day (Día de la Restauración) – August 16
Date: August 16
Description: Restoration Day commemorates the restoration of Dominican sovereignty from Spain in 1865 after the country’s brief period of re-annexation to Spain. The holiday marks the victorious outcome of the War of Restoration, which ended Spanish control and solidified the country’s independence. The day is celebrated with parades, official ceremonies, and cultural events across the country. People express pride in the nation’s historical struggle and celebrate the achievement of independence.
Observance: Nationally
Days Off: 1
7. Christmas Day (Navidad) – December 25
Date: December 25
Description: Christmas Day is a Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. In the Dominican Republic, Christmas is widely celebrated with church services, family gatherings, and festive meals. The country’s Christmas traditions include music, dancing, and the preparation of special holiday dishes, such as “moro de guandules” (rice with pigeon peas) and “pasteles en hoja” (pastes in leaves). Many Dominicans attend a special midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day is typically spent with family and friends, continuing the holiday celebrations.
Observance: Nationally
Days Off: 1
8. Boxing Day (Día de San Esteban) – December 26
Date: December 26
Description: Boxing Day, or St. Stephen’s Day, is observed in the Dominican Republic on December 26. This day is often a continuation of the Christmas celebrations. Families gather to enjoy leftovers from Christmas Day, and many people visit friends and relatives. It is not as widely celebrated as Christmas Day itself but is a public holiday, and most businesses and government offices are closed.
Observance: Nationally
Days Off: 1
Religious Holidays in Dominican Republic
1. Easter Sunday (Domingo de Resurrección) – Varies (March/April)
Date: Varies (March/April)
Description: Easter Sunday is one of the most important Christian holidays, marking the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In the Dominican Republic, Easter is celebrated with great reverence, with many attending church services and participating in community events. The day is a continuation of the Holy Week celebrations, which begin with Palm Sunday and continue through Good Friday and Holy Saturday. Easter Sunday is filled with joy, as it represents hope, renewal, and new beginnings.
Observance: Nationally
Days Off: 1
2. Feast of Our Lady of Altagracia (Día de la Virgen de la Altagracia) – January 21
Date: January 21
Description: The Feast of Our Lady of Altagracia is one of the most important religious holidays in the Dominican Republic, as it honors the patroness of the country, the Virgin of Altagracia. The holiday is marked by religious processions, church services, and a day of reflection and prayer. Many Dominicans travel to the basilica in Higuey, where the statue of the Virgin is housed, to pay their respects and ask for blessings. This day reflects the Dominican Republic’s deep Catholic faith and devotion to the Virgin Mary.
Observance: Nationally, especially in Catholic communities
Days Off: 1
3. All Saints’ Day (Día de Todos los Santos) – November 1
Date: November 1
Description: All Saints’ Day is a Christian holiday dedicated to honoring all the saints, both known and unknown. In the Dominican Republic, the holiday is observed with church services and prayers, especially by the Catholic community. Many Dominicans visit the graves of deceased relatives to honor them, and it is a day for reflection on the lives of those who have contributed to the faith. It is a solemn holiday, marked by religious observance.
Observance: Nationally
Days Off: 1
4. Assumption of the Virgin Mary (Asunción de la Virgen) – August 15
Date: August 15
Description: The Assumption of the Virgin Mary is a significant Catholic feast day that celebrates the belief that Mary was taken bodily into heaven. This holiday is celebrated with Masses, prayers, and processions. In the Dominican Republic, it is widely observed, especially by the Catholic population. The day is marked by solemn celebrations, and many Dominicans attend church to honor the Virgin Mary. It is a public holiday, and many businesses and government offices are closed for the occasion.
Observance: Nationally
Days Off: 1
Other Important National Holidays
1. Dominican Women’s Day (Día de las Mujeres Dominicanas) – March 25
Date: March 25
Description: Dominican Women’s Day is a holiday that honors the contributions and achievements of women in the Dominican Republic. The day recognizes the role of women in the nation’s history, culture, and social development. It is a day for reflection on gender equality, women’s rights, and the advancement of women in all sectors of society. Events, discussions, and conferences are often held to celebrate Dominican women.
Observance: Nationally
Days Off: 1
2. National Flag Day (Día de la Bandera) – February 27
Date: February 27
Description: National Flag Day is celebrated alongside Independence Day on February 27. This day honors the national flag, which is a symbol of the Dominican Republic’s sovereignty and independence. It is a day of reflection on the significance of the flag as a symbol of unity, freedom, and national pride. Schools, government offices, and various public institutions often participate in flag-raising ceremonies.
Observance: Nationally
Days Off: Not a full public holiday but widely observed
Public Holidays Observance and Work Schedule
The following table shows the public holidays, the number of days off, and which groups of people observe the holidays.
| Holiday | Date | Days Off | Groups Observing |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day (Día de Año Nuevo) | January 1 | 1 | Nationally |
| Independence Day (Día de la Independencia) | February 27 | 1 | Nationally |
| Good Friday (Viernes Santo) | Varies (March/April) | 1 | Nationally |
| Labour Day (Día del Trabajo) | May 1 | 1 | Nationally |
| Corpus Christi (Corpus Christi) | Varies (May/June) | 1 | Nationally |
| Restoration Day (Día de la Restauración) | August 16 | 1 | Nationally |
| Christmas Day (Navidad) | December 25 | 1 | Nationally |
| Boxing Day (Día de San Esteban) | December 26 | 1 | Nationally |
| Easter Sunday (Domingo de Resurrección) | Varies (March/April) | 1 | Nationally |
| Feast of Our Lady of Altagracia (Día de la Virgen de la Altagracia) | January 21 | 1 | Catholic community |
| All Saints’ Day (Día de Todos los Santos) | November 1 | 1 | Nationally, Catholic community |
| Assumption of the Virgin Mary (Asunción de la Virgen) | August 15 | 1 | Nationally, Catholic community |
| Dominican Women’s Day (Día de las Mujeres Dominicanas) | March 25 | 1 | Nationally |
