Grupo Puntacana has officially unveiled plans for the seventeenth iteration of the renowned Punta Cana Carnival, scheduled to take place on February 20-21, 2026. The vibrant festivities will transform Boulevard 1ro de Noviembre in The Village Puntacana into a massive celebration of Dominican cultural heritage.
The carnival inauguration commences on Friday, February 20th with an exclusive Carnival Gala along the parade route. This preliminary event will offer the Punta Cana community their first opportunity to witness the spectacular flagship troupes – Las Musas de Punta Cana and Los Tres Caras – accompanied by dynamic live musical performances.
Saturday, February 21st marks the main celebration with gates opening at 2:30 PM. The grand parade will commence at 4:00 PM, showcasing an impressive assembly of over 20 professionally choreographed dance troupes and more than 1,500 national and international performers. These participants will bring Dominican folklore and cultural traditions to life through dazzling displays of color, music, and dance. Event organizers anticipate welcoming exceeding 15,000 attendees to this cultural extravaganza.
A highlight of the carnival will be the ceremonial coronation of King or Queen Momo, an honor bestowed upon nationally prominent figures whose exemplary work inspires Dominican society. The selection remains carefully guarded until the event, creating significant anticipation among participants. The 2025 edition saw two-time Olympic champion and world athletics champion Félix Sánchez receive this distinguished recognition.
The carnival maintains its tradition of honoring Dominican excellence, with previous recipients including fashion icon Oscar de La Renta, merengue superstar Eddy Herrera, endurance swimmer Marcos Díaz, jazz virtuoso Michel Camilo, conductor José Antonio Molina, cultural advocate Freddy Ginebra, baseball legend George Bell, and the first Queen Momo, merengue royalty Milly Quezada.
Admission to the Punta Cana Carnival remains free to the general public, with optional ticket purchases available through digital platforms for enhanced access. The 2026 event will feature diverse culinary offerings through food trucks, dedicated family-friendly entertainment zones, and specially designed children’s activities available near the Grupo Puntacana corporate building starting at 3:00 PM on Saturday.
Demonstrating environmental leadership, the carnival continues its sustainability initiatives through comprehensive waste management systems featuring recycling stations, implementation of reusable servingware, and utilization of biodegradable materials throughout the event grounds.