Christmas – New Year Happenings 2017

Christmas and New Years Events and Happenings

in the Colonial Zone – Santo Domingo area during the holiday season 2017

There are so many things going on during the holiday season it is difficult to keep track of it all. I will try and add events and stuff happening in the Colonial Zone – Santo Domingo area as I find them.

Holiday Hours

– The hours for all Bars, Discotheques, Restaurants, Colmados and other businesses selling alcoholic beverages are non existent. These establishments can be open for as long as they wish with no closing time restrictions. The Ministry of Interior and Police announced that it is lifting alcohol sales restrictions from Monday December 11, 2015 until Sunday January 7, 2018. Have a good time and be careful out there.

Colonial Gate presents during the holiday season “Sleigh Ride, A Festive Holiday Adventure.” Accompany Santa and his elves and a very special reindeer distribute gifts to children all over the world. There are also other special 4-D adventures. Contact Colonial Gate at (809) 682-4829 for hours and shows.

Parque del Este will be lit up for Christmas with a spectacle of lights and colors called “Vive la Navidad.” The park is open for visitors from 6 PM to midnight during the holidays.

December 14

Traditional National Concert – Coro Nacional – 2017


Tradicional Concierto Navidad 2017 del Coro Nacional Dominicano
at 8:30PM. Traditional Christmas songs that will be performed include: Silent Night (Franz Gruber), White Christmas (Irving Berling), Feliz Navidad (Jose Feliciano), Campanitas de cristal (Rafael Hernandez), El burrito sabanero (Hugo Blanco), Mi Navidad (Apolinar Bueno), Jingle Bells (James Pierpoint), and many more.

Nutcracker Suite at the National Theater – Thursday December 14 to Sunday December 17 – The Christmas classic, Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite will be presented. The ballet will be performed at 8:30PM Thursday to Saturday and 5pm on Sunday. Tickets cost RD$500, RD$800, RD$1,000, RD$1,500 and can be purchased at the National Theater box office.

December 16

Mercado Navideño Aleman / German Christmas Market at the Centro Dominico-Aleman on Calle Isabel La Católica #212 almost across form BancoReservas and Plasa España, Zona Colonial. Lots of German food, crafts and other items for sale. Saturday from 11 AM – 6 PM.

December 17

Christmas Arts & Crafts Market on Calle el Conde at Isabel la Católica. Sunday from 2 PM – 9 PM

December 23

El Hombrecito, spoken word musicians and poets, will be playing at Colmado Familiar located on the corners of Calle Padre Billini and Sánchez. Starting at 8PM until..?

December 24

Noche Buena – Many businesses are closed for this special family – night.Some open later in the evening after the evening meal. Have a blessed Christmas Eve.

Midnight Mass/ La Misa del Gallo – is celebrated at 10PM in the Cathedral de Santa Maria in front of Parque Colon on Christmas Eve/ Noche Buena

Buffet Navideno at Harry’s Restauarnt and Bar 2017


Buffet Navideno – Harry’s Bar and Restaurant, Plaza España. The Christmas Buffet starts at 7PM until closing.

December 25

Christmas Day. Some businesses may open late or not at all to rest after a busy Christmas Eve.

Christmas Day Choral Concert in the Cathedral de Santa Maria starting at 8PM. Get there hours early if you want a seat inside. The choir will be singing traditional religious Christmas songs.

December 31

Buffet Navideno at Harry’s Restauarnt and Bar 2017


Buffet Navideno – Harry’s Bar and Restaurant, Plaza España. The Christmas Buffet starts at 7PM until closing.

New Year’s Mass/ la Misa de Año Nuevo at 11PM in the Cathedral de Santa Maria

New Years Eve / Año Nuevo “Rally del Borracho” The 45th Anniversary of this giant street party starts at 10AM Thursday December 31, 2015 until the rising of the sun on January 1, 2016 or until the last man (or woman) is left standing. A map and more information about the Rally del Borracho from an old post.