Festivals and Events

Fourteen years ago, Cabarete [1] became home to the annual Dominican Republic Jazz Festival due to organizer Lorenzo Sancassani’s love of music. As Cabarete moved further into the forefront as one of the world’s prime locations for water sports, his team has developed the Master of the Ocean competition, the Kitesurfing World Cup, and, for fun, the International Sand Castle Competition.

Festivals here are the perfect mix of events, wonderful dining, fun nightlife, and great accommodations. Visit www.cabareteevents.com [2] for more information.

The Master of the Ocean competition (www.masteroftheocean.com [3]), which celebrated its seventh year in 2009, challenges individuals in their mastery of kitesurfing, windsurfing, and surfing. While they are judged in individual categories, the winner is the one who can prove that they’ve got the chops to master all three categories. International as well as national competitors compete to become crowned master of the waves. The rounds are held at various area beaches, but the final heat is at Playa Encuentro [4] with its big, intimidating waves so as to ensure challenge for the participants and theatrics for the spectators. It is a thrilling event.

Held in November, the Dominican Republic Jazz Festival (www.drjazzfestival.com [5]) is one of the most important jazz festivals of the Caribbean. It celebrates jazz with artists that visit from many countries of the world in addition to Dominican talent. Every night there are 2–3 bands (making sure that one is Dominican), a kids’ concert, and a concentration of Latin jazz.

Caribbean Laser Midwinter Regatta, held in January, is a race for one design class of boats. It kicks off a world calendar of regattas. Some of the top sailors come for this event since the winds of Cabarete [1] are legendary and appreciated by water sport enthusiasts of all kinds. The event brings together past and present Olympic champions as well as master sailors of all levels.

The International Sand Castle Competition is an event that both kids and adults will enjoy. Forget the plastic bucket and shovel kit; these competitors are serious! It’s held in Cabarete in the end of February every year with adult and kid competitions.

Cabarete Race Week and the Kitesurfing World Cup are held in the month of June when the winds are prime. During this time Cabarete is overcome with international windsurfers and kiteboarders ready to compete in the tournaments. These events are fun to witness, but if you plan on traveling here during this time, book your hotel well in advance.