Discovering Paradise
Discovering Paradise
The city of Lechones — Santiago's spiky carnival
Type
Carnival
When
February – February
Duration
4 weekends
Location
Santiago de los Caballeros
Cost
Free
Frequency
Annual
Attendance
50,000+ per Sunday
Family Friendly
Yes
First Held
19th century
Local Name
Carnaval de Santiago
Best Arrival
Before noon
What to Wear
Old clothes — you may get paint/powder on you
The Carnival of Santiago is one of the Dominican Republic's most important carnival celebrations, famous for its Lechones — costumed characters who wear intricately crafted papier-mâché masks studded with spikes and horns. The Lechones are divided into two groups: the "Pepines" and the "Joyeros," each with distinct mask styles.
The carnival takes place every Sunday in February along the main avenues of Santiago, the second-largest city in the Dominican Republic. It's a family-friendly celebration that showcases the Cibao region's unique cultural identity.
When
Every Sunday in February
Duration: 4 weekends
Location
Monumento a los Héroes de la Restauración area, Santiago de los Caballeros
Cibao Valley
Cost
Free
This event is in
Santiago De Los Caballeros →