Annual Festivals & Events


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If you want to put a finger on the pulse of Dominica, make sure to plan a trip here during one of Dominica’s major festivals. Full of culture and heritage, these events express creole lifestyle in vibrant colours and sounds.

Month by Month | Weekly Events Public Holidays | All Events

The World Creole Music Festival (WCMF) takes place in late October. Dominica’s Independence Celebrations run from October through November. Creole in the Park is a day-time celebration of culture and heritage held during the week running up to WCMF.

Dominica’s Carnival takes place in February or March. This is a unique and personal Carnival – you can participate in the bands and enjoy yourself like no where else in the Caribbean.

Celebrate the arts with Domfesta (April to June) and enjoy the Giraudel-Eggleston Flower Show (May/June). Get fit and have fun with DHTA’s annual Hike Fest on three Saturdays in May.

Experience Dominica’s Jazz ‘n Creole held at the island’s most stunning venue, the recently restored Fort Shirley in Cabrits National Park. Amazing music from local, regional and international stars, cool breezes, great food and good fun for the whole family.

The ever-popular Dive Fest kicks off in early July and runs for two weeks. Held on the final Sunday, the Kubuli Carib Canoe Race is a highlight of this event.

In August it’s time to expand your mind at the Nature Island Literary Festival. This annual event promotes the literary arts; meet the authors, enjoy poetry readings, book readings, and more.

Throughout the year many communities have village feasts. Usually held over a weekend, the feast may start with a church service, followed by events throughout the day, and culminates in a dance in the village hall or school. Check our monthly list below.

Month by Month


January

Village Feasts & Traditions

Mero – St. John Newman


Public Holidays

New Year’s Day

February/March

Festivals

 Carnival & Related Events


Village Feasts & Traditions

Soufriere – St. Luke (mid Feb)


Public Holidays

Carnival Monday & Tuesday

March

Catholic Lenten Period – which began at the end of Carnival Tuesday and ends at Easter

April

Village Feasts & Traditions

Easter

Morne Prosper – Feast of the Holy Family (Easter Monday)


Public Holidays

Good Friday

Easter Monday

May

Festivals 

Hike Fest

Domfesta


Village Feasts & Traditions

Giraudel – Flower Show

Giraudel – Feast of our Lady of Perpetual Help

Grand Bay – St. Isidore “Fete Isidore” (Pentecost/Whit Monday)

Grand Fond – Feast of St. Joseph

San Sauver – St. Isidore (Pentecost/Whit Monday)


Public Holidays

Labour Day

Whit/Pentecost Monday

June

Festivals

Jazz n’ Creole at the Cabrits


Village Feasts & Traditions

Bagatelle – Pork Festival

Colihaut – Feast of St. Peter

Cottage – St. Antony

Portsmouth – St. Peter

Portsmouth – Fete Marin Grand Anse

Toucarie – St Anthony

July

Festivals

Dive Fest 


Village Feasts & Traditions

Anse de Mai – St. Peter

Bagatelle – St. Peter

Bioche – St. Peter

Calibishie – St. Peter

Coulibistrie – St. Ann

Dublanc – St. Peter

Fond St. Jean – St. Peter

Mahaut – St. Ann

Massacre – St. Ann

Newtown  – St. Peter

Trafalgar – Fete Kaiche

Scott’s Head – St. Peter

August

Festivals

Nature Island Literary Festival 

(Has been postponed. TBD)


Village Feasts & Celebrations

Atkinson – St. Domnique

Castle Bruce – Village Feast

Laudat – St. Ann (August Monday)

Penville – St. John Bosco

Tete Morne – Baker’s Feast (August Monday)


Public Holidays

August Monday

September

Festivals & Traditions

Layou Village Titiwi Festival


Village Feasts & Celebrations

Kalinago Territory – Carib Week

Petite Savanne – Fete Chapel

Pointe Michel – La Salette

October

Festivals

Independence Celebrations – Calendar of Activities

World Creole Music Festival


Village Feasts & Traditions

Boetica – Chapel Feast (First Sunday in Oct)

Bellevue Chopin – Village Feast

Delices – Chapel Feast (First Sunday in Oct)

Morne Jaune – Chapel Feast

Riviere Cyrique – Chapel Feast

Salisbury – St. Theresa

St. Joseph – St. Gerard

Wotten Waven – Christ the King (Last Sunday in Oct)

December

Village Feasts & Traditions

Atkinson – Waraka Sewinal Festival

Salybia – Immaculate Mary


Public Holidays

Christmas Day

Boxing Day

What’s On During the Week


Most hotels have their special nights including the popular Friday Night Happy Hour at the Fort Young Hotel.

Le Petit Paris Bakery, located on the Bayfront, is a popular place to have a drink and relax during the day – enjoy their Handmade Pizza.

Always contact the establishment for up-to-date information!

Daily

Every night except Monday, Fishpot at Pointe Michel, from about 8 till late

Most restaurants and bars are open well into the evenings. Check out our Dining page for more information.

Monday

This is the quietest day of the week and during the evenings, most eateries are closed. Hotel restaurants are open for dinner.

Tuesday

Another quiet night

Wednesday

Reggae Night at La Playa Beach Bar, Portsmouth

Thursday

Jazz Night at Symzees on King George V Street, Roseau

Friday

The busiest night of the week. Here you will find the most going on.

Happy Hour at Fort Young Hotel. 6-8 pm.

Friday Pizza and Wine at Le Petit Paris Bakery. 6-9 pm

Bayfront Stalls in Point Michele – look for Kernita who serves grilled fish and roasted bakes

This is the main bar hopping night. In Roseau there is After 4 LoungeEscape Bar and Grill, Club RetroIron Monkey Bar at Sutton Place HotelGarage.

In Portsmouth there is The Lounge, Pelligrinos, Sevy’s, La Playa, Des Champs, Tulips and Ma Pau.

Check Mero Beach to see if Friday Fish Night is on!  Soufriere also hosts Fish Nights from time to time throughout the year.

Saturday

Saturday Brunch from 11.30 am till 2 pm with Chef Eric Subinin Picard, Portsmouth at De Champ Restaurant & Bar.

Sunday

Jazz Lunch from 12 noon till 3.30 pm in Picard, Portsmouth at De Champ Restaurant & Bar.

Mero Beach – popular spot during the day and evening

Full Moon

Celebrate Full Moon Nights in La Plaine at Citrus Creek Plantation, situated on the banks of the Taberi River.

Public Holidays


There are 11 public holidays in Dominica. The local tradition is to head to the beach or river for large gatherings, picnics and bbq’s. Some days like National Community Day of Service encourages volunteer work to improve an area or community. Christmas and Easter tend to be very family oriented holidays spent at a family house or property. There is a national parade on Independence Day and during Carnival there are many. Learn more about Dominica’s culture and traditions here.

Date Day Holiday
January 1st 2023 Sunday New Year's Day
February 20th & 21st Monday, Tuesday Carnival Monday & Carnival Tuesday
April 7th Friday Good Friday
April 10th Monday Easter Monday
May 1st Monday Labour Day (May Day)
May 29th Monday Whit Monday / Pentecost Monday
August 7th Monday Emancipation Day
November 3rd Friday Independence Day
November 4th Saturday National Day of Community Service
December 25th Monday Christmas Day
December 26th Tuesday Boxing Day
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Summary: Dominica's Emancipation Celebrations Presented by the National Culture Council and the Division of Culture 2018 Celebrations "Building a Culture of Unity" July [...]
Location:
The Old Mill Cultural Centre, Canefield, Dominica

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