PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic – Grupo Puntacana has officially unveiled plans for the 17th iteration of its renowned Punta Cana Carnival, setting the stage for a vibrant two-day cultural extravaganza on February 20-21, 2026. The celebrations will unfold along Boulevard 1ro de Noviembre at The Village Puntacana, continuing the event’s legacy as a premier showcase of Dominican cultural heritage.
The festivities will commence on Friday, February 20, with an exclusive Carnival Gala designed specifically for the Punta Cana community. This inaugural evening will feature preview performances by the event’s signature troupes—Las Musas de Punta Cana and Los Tres Caras—accompanied by live musical arrangements.
Saturday’s programming begins with gates opening at 2:30 PM, building anticipation for the grand parade spectacle commencing at 4:00 PM. This centerpiece event will showcase more than 20 elaborately costumed dance troupes and over 1,500 participants from both Dominican Republic and international locations, collectively celebrating the nation’s rich folkloric traditions. Event coordinators project attendance will surpass 15,000 spectators.
A signature tradition continues with the coronation of King or Queen Momo, an honor recognizing prominent national figures whose accomplishments inspire Dominican society. The 2025 recipient was Olympic and world champion athlete Félix Sánchez, joining an esteemed roster of previous honorees including fashion icon Oscar de la Renta, musician Eddy Herrera, swimmer Marcos Díaz, jazz virtuoso Michel Camilo, conductor José Antonio Molina, cultural advocate Freddy Ginebra, baseball legend George Bell, and merengue superstar Milly Quezada as the carnival’s inaugural Queen Momo.
While maintaining its status as a free public event, organizers will offer premium ticketed seating available through digital platforms. Emphasizing family accessibility, the carnival will provide enhanced security measures, diverse culinary options through food trucks, continuous live entertainment, and a specially designed children’s area operational from 3:00 PM near the Grupo Puntacana corporate headquarters.