"Navidad 99" is the celebration of Christmas organized by the Ayuntamiento de Santo Domingo (city municipality), Secretaría de Turismo (ministry of tourism), Comisión de Monumentos (historic monuments commission), Oficina de Patrimonio Cultural (office of cultural heritage), and the Patronato de la Ciudad Colonial (board of the colonial city). Most of the events take place at the Parque Colón (Isabel la Católica corner Conde), the Patronato de la Ciudad Colonial (Isabel la Católica 103) or the Palacio Consistorial (Arz. Meriño corner Conde), Cathedral of Santo Domingo (Arz. Meriño corner Arz. Nouel), Capilla de los Remedios (Calle Las Damas corner Mercedes). To plan ahead, note the schedule through the weekend: Thursday, 16 December 6 pm. Christmas Sunsets. Superintendency of Banks Christmas Concert. Directed by Edgar Martínez. Parque Colón. 8 pm. National Symphony Orchestra Concert. Directed by Amaury Sánchez. Sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism. Arcades of the Borgellá Palace. 9 pm. Christmas Festival. Marianela Sánchez’s Children’s Choir. Palacio Consistorial. 9 pm. Christmas partying. Juan Pablo Duarte neighborhood. From Parque Colón to the Convento de Santo Domingo (Padre Billini corner Duarte) Friday, 17 December 5 pm. Opening Handicraft exhibition (through 19 December). Parque San José (19 de Marzo corner José Gabriel García), sponsored by the San José/Montesinos neighborhood. 6 pm. Christmas Sunsets. Christmas Concert by the Choir of the Banco Popular. Directed by Prof. Ramón E. Restituyo. Parque Colón. 8 pm. Christmas Cinema, A Christmas Nightmare, starring Tim Burton. Plazoleta de Regina (Padre Billini corner José Reyes). 8 pm. Christmas Concert. Municipal Chamber Orchestra. Directed by Prof. Rodolfo Manzano. Parque Colón. 9 pm. Christmas Festival: Concert by flutist Luis Ruiz, accompanied by violinist Jazmina Gavrilovich. Palacio Consistorial. 9:30 pm. Christmas partying. Santa Clara/Cathedral neighborhood. From Parque Colón to Parque Pellerano Castro (Isabel la Católica corner José Gabriel García). Saturday, 18 December 6 am. "Mañanitas," early morning caroling. Carmen neighborhood, leaving from Calle Sánchez 112. 5:30 pm. Puppet show: "Christmas Tree". Teatro Papalote. Parque Colón. 6 pm. Christmas Sunsets. Christmas Concert by the choir of the National Army. Directed by First Lieutenant Medina Cuevas. 8 pm. Luchy Vicioso in Concert. Accompanied by Maestro Tito Delgado, sponsored by the Municipality of Santo Domingo. Parque Colón. 9 pm. Christmas Festival: Concert of the Vocal Ensemble Group of Santo Domingo. Accompanied at the piano by Maestro Ramón Díaz. Palacio Consistorial. 9 pm. Christmas partying. San Antón neighborhood. Groups leave from Parque Colón to the Plazoleta de San Antón (Restauración corner Hostos). Sunday, 19 December 3 pm. Tour of the nativity scenes in the Colonial City. Organized by the Conde/Mercedes neighborhood. Leaving from Atrio de las Mercedes, Calle Mercedes. 6 pm. Christmas Sunsets. Men’s Choir of the Instituto Cultural Dominico-Americano. Directed by Prof. Ramón E. Restituyo. Parque Colón. 8 pm. Fernando Casado in Concert. Accompanied by Maestro Tito Delgado. Sponsored by the Municipality of Santo Domingo. Parque Colón. 9 pm. Christmas Festival. Concert by the Ars Nova Chamber Orchestra. Directed by François Bahuad. Palacio Consistorial. 9 pm. Christmas partying. San José/Montesinos neighborhood. Leaving from Parque Colón to Parque San José (19 de Marzo corner José Gabriel García).
