Public Holidays in Dominican Republic
Statutory public holidays in Dominican Republic, with the dates that give people the day off, how the calendar is set, and what it means for travel, cities and culture.
Dominican Republic at a glance
The Dominican Republic’s public holidays mark Independence Day on 27 February and Restoration Day on 16 August, alongside Catholic feast days.
Several dates move with Easter, and Carnival in February is the biggest celebration of the year.
Dominican Republic public holidays 2026
Dominican Republic has 12 public holidays in 2026 – the statutory days off. The table below lists those public holidays; observances and other non-statutory dates are not part of the total.
| Holiday | Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Jan 1Thu | National |
| Epiphany | Jan 5Mon | National |
| Lady of Altagracia | Jan 21Wed | National |
| Juan Pablo Duarte Day | Jan 26Mon | National |
| National Independence Day | Feb 27Fri | National |
| Good Friday | Apr 3Fri | National |
| Labor Day | May 4Mon | National |
| Corpus Christi | Jun 4Thu | National |
| Restoration Day | Aug 16Sun | National |
| Our Lady of Mercedes Day | Sep 24Thu | National |
| Constitution Day | Nov 9Mon | National |
| Christmas Day | Dec 25Fri | National |
Showing 12 of 12 public holidays for 2026.
Major cities in Dominican Republic
The urban centres that anchor most trips to Dominican Republic.
Santo Domingo
A UNESCO colonial city of the first cathedral and fortress in the Americas.
Santiago
A city in the Cibao valley, of monuments and a tobacco heritage.
Punta Cana
A vast resort coast of beaches, golf and all-inclusive hotels.
Puerto Plata
A port city with a cable car, a fort and Atlantic beaches.
La Romana
A city near the Chavon river, with sugar estates and a resort.
Top attractions in Dominican Republic
The places that draw most visitors to Dominican Republic.
Colonial City of Santo Domingo
The oldest European city in the Americas, of stone churches and palaces.
Pico Duarte
The highest summit in the Caribbean, climbed on a two-day trek.
Saona Island
A protected island of palm beaches and shallow turquoise water.
Los Haitises National Park
A karst park of limestone islets, mangroves and cave petroglyphs.
Samaná Bay
A bay where humpback whales gather to breed each winter.
Altos de Chavón
A hilltop recreation of a Mediterranean village above the Chavon river.
Festivals, food and getting around Dominican Republic
What the calendar looks like on the ground, and how to move through the country around it.
Festivals behind the holidays
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New Year's Day
Falls on Jan 1
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Epiphany
Falls on Jan 6
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Our Lady of Altagracia
Falls on Jan 21
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Duarte's Day
Falls on Jan 26
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Independence Day
Falls on Feb 27
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March Equinox
Falls on Mar 20
Food & drink
Getting around
Guaguas and carros publicos link the towns; the beaches and parks are easiest with a tour or hire car.
Travelling around Dominican Republic’s holidays
What the dates mean once you are there.
Book around the peaks
Transport and hotels in Dominican Republic tighten around major holidays; reserve early for the busiest weeks.
Check opening hours
Museums, banks and government offices usually close on statutory holidays, and often on the nearest Monday.
Carry local currency
Small vendors and rural businesses frequently take cash only, especially on holidays when banks are shut.
Expect crowded transport
Long weekends produce the year's heaviest road, rail and air traffic. Build in extra travel time.
Confirm the official list
Dominican Republic's holiday dates are confirmed by government announcement; check the year page for the final arrangement.
Plan the long weekends
Pairing a holiday with adjacent weekends gives the longest breaks of the year — and the busiest.
Dominican Republic public holidays: common questions
How many public holidays does Dominican Republic have?
Dominican Republic has 12 public holidays in 2026, counting every date typed National, Substitute or Bank in our calendar. Observances, religious dates and regional holidays are listed separately and left out of the total, because they are not days off across the whole country.
Where can I find the full 2026 list?
The complete 2026 calendar for Dominican Republic is on the year page, with every recorded date in order.
Are Dominican Republic's public holidays paid?
Statutory national holidays are generally paid leave for employees. Observances and commemorative days are usually not.
Do holidays move if they fall on a weekend?
Where a holiday falls on a weekend, Dominican Republic typically observes it on the nearest weekday. Check the year page for the confirmed arrangement.
Are there regional holidays in Dominican Republic?
Some holidays are observed only in certain regions or by certain communities. The year page lists what applies nationally.
Which years are covered for Dominican Republic?
Calendars are published for 2026, 2025.
School holidays in Dominican Republic
School term dates in Dominican Republic
School calendar data last updated 10 Sep 2026. Dates come from education ministries and local education authorities; always re-check with the school before booking travel.