The La Vega Carnival, the most popular in the Dominican Republic, kicked off on Sunday, 1 February 2026 with the parades of the carnival characters and music events. The parades are set for all Sundays in February. The La Vega Carnival Union organizes the most traditional parade in the country and is the organization that has made carnival popular in the Dominican Republic.
For 2026, La Vega Carnival Union has brought together 230 groups called “ diablos cojuelos” (either ‘naughty’ or ‘limping’ devils), which are basically costumed groups dancing to merengues, or bachata music. Folklorists attest the origin of these dancers to legends of the Devil being thrown to the ground and limping away. They are perhaps the most colorful elements of the Carnival festivities.
La Vega also offers a more tradition carnival celebration at the Central Park where costumes from the 70s, 80s and 90s are on exhibition for a more romantic and nostalgic experience.
La Vega carnival goers are encouraged to arrive early to La Vega to give time to visit the Carnival Museum in the city center.
The weekly activities in La Vega are also transmitted on local television and cable channels, covering the celebrations along the Pedro Rivera Avenue in La Vega. The final show will be aired on Independence Day 27 February.
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Carnival Museum in La Vega
3 February 2026