Planning your year effectively requires knowing the official public holidays in the Dominican Republic for 2026. These nationwide holidays affect work schedules, business operations, and travel arrangements across the country. Consequently, staying informed helps you maximize long weekends and avoid scheduling conflicts. This comprehensive guide lists only confirmed national public holidays recognized throughout the Dominican Republic, ensuring you have accurate information for your planning needs.
Official National Public Holidays 2026
The Ministry of Labor officially announced the public holidays for 2026 in November 2025. Under Law No. 139-97, certain holidays falling on Tuesday through Friday are moved to the preceding Monday to create extended weekends. However, religious and patriotic holidays remain fixed on their traditional dates. Below is the complete list of nationwide public holidays for the Dominican Republic in 2026.
| Date | Day | Holiday Name |
|---|---|---|
| January 1 | Thursday | New Year’s Day |
| January 5 | Monday | Epiphany Day (Observed) |
| January 21 | Wednesday | Our Lady of Altagracia |
| January 26 | Monday | Juan Pablo Duarte Day |
| February 27 | Friday | Independence Day |
| April 3 | Friday | Good Friday |
| May 4 | Monday | Labor Day (Observed) |
| June 4 | Thursday | Corpus Christi |
| August 16 | Sunday | Restoration Day |
| September 24 | Thursday | Our Lady of Mercedes |
| November 9 | Monday | Constitution Day (Observed) |
| December 25 | Friday | Christmas Day |
Long Weekends and Travel Planning Tips
The year 2026 offers seven excellent long weekends for Dominican residents and visitors. Meanwhile, these extended breaks provide perfect opportunities for domestic travel or relaxation. The strategic placement of holidays creates three-day weekends throughout the year, making it easier to plan getaways without using excessive vacation time.
The January holidays kick off the year with back-to-back long weekends, while the spring months feature Independence Day and Good Friday weekends. On the other hand, the latter part of the year provides Constitution Day and Christmas opportunities for extended celebrations. Therefore, booking accommodations and transportation early for these peak periods is advisable, as demand increases significantly during official holidays.
For travelers planning visits to the Dominican Republic, understanding these holidays helps you anticipate reduced business operations and increased local tourism. Additionally, checking current local times around the world ensures you coordinate meetings and calls effectively when working with international partners. If you’re organizing events or deadlines, using timer tools can help you stay on schedule during busy holiday periods.
Understanding Dominican Holiday Regulations
The Dominican Republic’s holiday system operates under Labor Code Law 16-92, confirmed in 1999. This legislation establishes 12 official national holidays and grants the government authority to declare additional one-time holidays when necessary. Notably, the government has historically added special holidays during election years to facilitate voter access.
Religious and patriotic holidays maintain their traditional dates, while non-religious, non-patriotic holidays may shift to Monday observance. Employees receive guaranteed non-working days on all national holidays, although paid holiday compensation depends on individual employment contracts. Employers aren’t mandated to provide holiday pay unless specified in their benefits packages.
For comprehensive information about planning around public holidays in various countries, explore our detailed guides covering international holiday calendars and time management strategies.
Maximizing Your 2026 Holiday Schedule
Strategic planning around these official holidays allows you to optimize your personal and professional calendar. Consequently, identifying the seven long weekends early enables better vacation planning and project deadline management. Business owners can prepare for reduced operational capacity during holiday periods, while travelers can secure better rates by booking accommodations outside peak weekend dates.
Remember that while Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve are widely celebrated in the Dominican Republic, they are not official public holidays. However, many businesses reduce hours or close early on these dates. Therefore, confirming business hours and service availability before these informal celebration days prevents scheduling disappointments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which holidays are recognized nationwide in the Dominican Republic?
The Dominican Republic recognizes 12 official national public holidays in 2026, including New Year’s Day, Epiphany Day, Our Lady of Altagracia, Juan Pablo Duarte Day, Independence Day, Good Friday, Labor Day, Corpus Christi, Restoration Day, Our Lady of Mercedes, Constitution Day, and Christmas Day. These holidays apply throughout the entire country and are governed by Labor Code Law 16-92.
Which holidays create long weekends in 2026?
Seven long weekends occur in 2026 due to holidays falling on Mondays or Fridays. These include January 3-5 (Epiphany observance), January 24-26 (Juan Pablo Duarte Day), February 27-March 1 (Independence Day), April 3-5 (Good Friday), May 2-4 (Labor Day observance), November 7-9 (Constitution Day observance), and December 25-27 (Christmas Day).
Are any holidays subject to change?
While the 12 official national holidays are firmly established by law, the government retains authority under Law 16-92 to declare additional one-time holidays when circumstances warrant. Religious and patriotic holidays always remain on their traditional dates. Non-religious, non-patriotic holidays may be moved to the preceding Monday when they fall midweek, as specified in Law No. 139-97.
Do employees receive paid time off for public holidays?
All employees in the Dominican Republic are guaranteed non-working days on official public holidays. However, whether these days are paid depends on individual employment contracts. Employers are not legally required to provide paid holiday leave unless it is included as part of their employee benefits packages.
Why do some holidays move to Monday?
Law No. 139-97 mandates that non-religious and non-patriotic holidays falling on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday be moved to the preceding Monday. This policy creates long weekends and provides citizens with more consecutive rest days. Religious holidays like Our Lady of Altagracia, Good Friday, Corpus Christi, and Our Lady of Mercedes always remain on their traditional dates.