The Dominican National Carnival held on Sunday, 23 March 2025 captivated the hearts of hundreds of Dominicans who gathered along Avenida George Washington, Santo Domingo’s Malecón. Despite the intense heat and shining sun, the event showcased sustainability and the nation’s vibrant culture, music, and traditions, as reported in Listin Diario, Hoy, El Caribe El Dia and Diario Libre.
The parade, started around 3:30pm and featured 162 costumed groups (comparsas), with a special focus on San Cristóbal province, this year’s dedicatee. Diario Libre reported that 13 comparsas paraded for San Cristobal alone.
The traditional Pintaos of Barahona, the diablos cojuelos of the La Vega Carnival, the guloyas of San Pedro de Macorís, and taimáscaros of Puerto Plata also participated, highlighting the country’s cultural diversity.
Hoy reported how the Malecón was packed with families and carnival fans as early as 2pm that afternoon.
El Dia reported on the great diversity in the design and style of the multiple parading groups. The people featured controversial past and present figures, such as costumed former President Joaquín Balaguer, and current US President Donald Trump in a parade allusive to immigrants. The country’s national bird (cigua palmera) was showcased in a replica of a jungle. A repeated element was the use of the national flag colors, such as the parading “diablo cojuelos,” costumed in red, blue and white.
El Caribe reported on the creativity in costumes and choreographies of the parading groups.
Listin Diario reported that attendees, including tourists like French visitor Sophie Martin, marveled at the energetic atmosphere. “The music, costumes, and joy are spectacular,” said Martin. Locals like Rosa Méndez from San Cristóbal expressed pride in their province’s showcase: “Seeing our comparsas here is an honor.”
Experienced carnival participants like Ramón García, a 15-year veteran of the ‘diablo cojuelo’ costume, emphasized the event’s significance. “Carnival is one of the best expressions of Dominican identity,” he told the Listin Diario reporter.
While the heat prompted many to seek shade and hydration, the overall mood remained festive. A jury of art, culture, and folklore experts evaluated the comparsas for prizes across nine categories. The Ministry of Culture, the organizer of the carnival, has announced the prize winners will be revealed by Wednesday, 26 March 2025.
The National Carnival Parade 2025 comes with cash prizes for RD$5 million pesos among the winning groups. Other carnival awards have already been presented. Architect Orlando Lora received the Felipe Abreu Award for Merit in the Dominican Carnival for his over 40 years of dedication, particularly to the Carnaval Vegano. Additionally, Alexis de Peña won the annual Luis Días Music Award for the Dominican Carnival with his composition “Pal Carnaval,” which will become the official song of the 2026 National Carnival Parade.
The event was secured by a substantial police presence and emergency services, ensuring a safe celebration for all. More than a thousand agents were sent to patrol the parade all throughout the extension of the Malecon and nearby areas.
Overall, the 2025 Dominican Carnival received positive reviews from both attendees and participants, with the vibrant atmosphere, traditional performances, and dedication to San Cristóbal earning praise.
Read more in Spanish:
Listin Diario
Hoy
El Dia
El Caribe
Diario Libre
25 March 2025