Discovering Paradise
Discovering Paradise
Dance to the heartbeat of Dominican culture
Type
Music
When
July – August
Duration
10 days
Location
Santo Domingo
Cost
Free
Frequency
Annual
Attendance
300,000+ over full festival
Family Friendly
Yes
First Held
1967
Local Name
Festival de Merengue
Best Arrival
Early evening for best atmosphere
What to Wear
Dancing shoes and comfortable clothes
The Festival de Merengue is a celebration of the Dominican Republic's national music and one of Santo Domingo's signature cultural events. Merengue — a fast, infectious dance music driven by the tambora drum, güira scraper, and accordion — was declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2016.
The festival takes over Santo Domingo's Malecón waterfront for approximately 10 days, with free outdoor concerts featuring the country's top merengue orchestras and artists. Multiple stages along the seaside boulevard create a continuous wall of music, dancing, and celebration.
The Merengue Festival is pure Dominican joy:
Making the most of the Merengue Festival:
When
Last week of July – first week of August
Duration: 10 days
Location
Malecón de Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo
South
Cost
Free
This event is in
Santo Domingo →