Discovering Paradise
Discovering Paradise
The national carnival finale on the Malecón
Type
Carnival
When
February – March
Duration
1 day (main parade)
Location
Santo Domingo
Cost
Free
Frequency
Annual
Attendance
500,000+
Family Friendly
Yes
First Held
Colonial era
Local Name
Desfile Nacional de Carnaval
Best Arrival
Before noon for street positions
What to Wear
Comfortable clothes and walking shoes
Santo Domingo's carnival is the grand finale of the Dominican carnival season — a massive national parade that brings together carnival groups from all 31 provinces along the iconic Malecón waterfront. This is where the full diversity of Dominican carnival traditions comes together in one spectacular event.
The parade features every regional carnival character: La Vega's Diablos Cojuelos, Santiago's Lechones, Monte Cristi's Toros y Civiles, and dozens more. Live music stages, food vendors, and partying crowds stretch for kilometers along the Caribbean shore.
The national parade is an all-day affair that draws enormous crowds. Key features:
The Santo Domingo carnival draws the biggest crowds of the season. Here's how to enjoy it safely:
When
Last Sunday of February or first Sunday of March
Duration: 1 day (main parade)
Location
Malecón (George Washington Avenue), Santo Domingo
South
Cost
Free
This event is in
Santo Domingo →