Celebrations and festivals are so common in the Dominican Republic that they seem a part of everyday life. No matter when you visit, you’ll be sure to find something vibrant and fun going on. The Dominican culture has a distinct Spanish influence, and that shows in its citizens’ love of music and dance. Some regional festivals feature folklore dancing, such as the Patron Saint day along the country’s southern coast when citizens dance the Mangulina in the streets.
Visitors can help natives celebrate the harvest during the first week in October at the Merengue Festival in Puerto Plata. Renowned merengue singers from all over the Caribbean participate in this colorful event. Another good time to visit is during the week prior to Lent. The Santa Domingo Carnival is celebrated throughout the entire island nation, and the strong African influence present in the magnificent masks and costumes lend an exotic ambiance to the festivities.
Christmas itself lasts for over a month in the Dominican Republic, with celebrations beginning during the early part of December and lasting until the first week of January. February weekends all feature different festivals and fun. During the third week of February, a sand castle competition is held. Visitors and residents alike create elaborate sand castles on the beach. The second weekend in February features a kite-flying festival, the first weekend celebrates with mountain biking demonstrations and a race, and the final weekend of the month is when surfing and windsurfing competitions are held.
Summer festivals include the Cultural Festival during the third week in June, when performances by dance troupes and concerts by musicians skilled in Dominican folk music, blues, merenge, jazz and African spirituals dominate the cultural landscape. Arts-and-crafts exhibits by local artisans are also displayed in abundance. The Latin Music Festival is also in June. This three day event in Santo Domingo celebrates the Latin influence on Caribbean culture with performances by dozens of world-renowned Latin bands and singers.
There isn’t a single month without major festivals taking place in the Dominican Republic. Cuisine plays an important part in these celebrations. Tamales wrapped in banana leaves are a favorite street food and is often served at food booths during festivals. Another festival favorite is Bahamian coconut candy, which consists of grated coconut, vanilla, water, cinnamon, sugar and baking powder.
Although Dominican Republic cuisine has been influenced by a variety of European and African cultures, some foods that were present among island inhabitants before Europeans began to migrate still exist in the daily diet of the citizenry. Cassava bread, which is made from flour produced from the yucca plant, is served in homes and restaurants all over the country. Cassava is also made into cakes, rolls and dumplings.
Visitors to the Dominican Republic find themselves celebrating the culture of that country along with natives no matter when they visit. Festivals, food and fun are found in abundance in this life-loving country.
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