If you're in the Dominican Republic in late February, you'll see the flag everywhere: on cars, balconies, shop windows, faces. February 27 is Independence Day, the country's biggest civic holiday, and it lands right in the middle of Carnival season.
What happened in 1844#
On the night of February 27, 1844, members of the secret society La Trinitaria, founded by Juan Pablo Duarte, took the Puerta del Conde, the old gate in Santo Domingo's city walls, and declared independence from Haiti, which had governed the whole island since 1822. Matías Ramón Mella is remembered for firing the shot that signalled it, and Francisco del Rosario Sánchez for raising the flag.
Duarte, Sánchez and Mella are the three Padres de la Patria, the founding fathers. Their remains rest together in the Altar de la Patria, a mausoleum beside the Puerta del Conde.
Where to see the history#
- Puerta del Conde and the Altar de la Patria, at the edge of the Zona Colonial in Santo Domingo — the heart of the day. More: the Zona Colonial guide.
- Parque Independencia, around the gate.
- Casa de Duarte, the museum in the house where Duarte was born, in the Zona Colonial.
How the day is celebrated#
- Official ceremonies at the Altar de la Patria and, in many years, a military parade on the Malecón.
- Flags everywhere — homes, cars, schools.
- Carnival: February 27 falls in Carnival season, and the national carnival parade in Santo Domingo comes around the same time. Everything about it: Dominican Carnival 2027.
- Family time: a long weekend at the beach or the river for many Dominicans.
In 2027, February 27 falls on a Saturday.
What's open#
It's a national holiday. Government offices and banks close, and many businesses do. In Punta Cana and other tourist areas, and in the Zona Colonial, most shops, restaurants and attractions stay open. Plan bank or official errands for another day.
January 26 and August 16#
Two other dates you'll hear about: January 26 is Duarte's birthday, a holiday, and August 16 is Restoration Day, marking the war that restored independence from Spain in 1863-1865.
Spend it with someone from here#
The best way to understand February 27 is with someone who grew up with it: the story told at the Puerta del Conde, the neighbourhood carnival afterwards. More things to do: things to do in Santo Domingo. Local Friends in Santo Domingo are locals you message directly on Roavi.
Spend February 27 with someone from Santo Domingo.
Meet Local Friends in Santo DomingoEvery big festival and holiday worldwide, month by month, with the dates: the Roavi world events calendar.
The other big date of the Dominican January: Día de la Altagracia, January 21, in Higüey.
Coming from the US? The Americans in the Dominican Republic guide covers entry, money and what's different.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is February 27 Dominican Independence Day?
On February 27, 1844, a group led by the secret society La Trinitaria declared independence from Haiti at the Puerta del Conde in Santo Domingo, founding the Dominican Republic.Who are the founding fathers of the Dominican Republic?
Juan Pablo Duarte, Francisco del Rosario Sánchez and Matías Ramón Mella. Their remains rest together in the Altar de la Patria in Santo Domingo, next to the Puerta del Conde.Is everything closed on Dominican Independence Day?
It's a national holiday: government offices and banks close, and many businesses do too. In tourist areas like Punta Cana and the Zona Colonial, most shops, restaurants and attractions stay open.Is there a parade on February 27?
Official ceremonies and, in many years, a military parade on the Malecón in Santo Domingo mark the day. It also falls in Carnival season, and the national carnival parade in the capital comes around the same time; check the year's program.
