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Lady of Altagracia Day

Lady of Altagracia Day 2024, 2025 and 2026

Every 21 January is Lady of Altagracia Day in Dominican Republic, a public holiday dedicated to the nation’s patron saint, “Our Lady of Altagracia”.

YearDateDayHoliday
202421 JanSunLady of Altagracia Day
202521 JanTueLady of Altagracia Day
202621 JanWedLady of Altagracia Day
Please scroll down to end of page for previous years' dates.

Our Lady of Altagracia means “Our Lady of High Grace”. It refers to a picture of the Virgin Mary that forms part of a painting depicting the birth of Christ, which was painted sometime around the year A.D. 1500. The painting was brought from Spain to what is now Dominican Repubic by the two “Trejo brothers” when they moved there as colonists. Eventually, they donated it to the church in Higuey.

In 1572, a shrine was built in honour of this picture of Mary, and then, in 1971, the picture itself was moved to be housed in the Basilica Cathedral of Our Lady of High Grace located in the city of Higuey. On two separate occasions, a pope came and placed a crown on the head of this picture.

On Lady of Altagracia Day, there are special church services, all night vigils, and cultural festivals held all across the nation of Dominican Republic.

Previous Years

YearDateDayHoliday
202321 JanSatLady of Altagracia Day
202221 JanFriLady of Altagracia Day
202121 JanThuLady of Altagracia Day
202021 JanTueLady of Altagracia Day
201921 JanMonLady of Altagracia Day
201821 JanSunLady of Altagracia Day
201721 JanSatLady of Altagracia Day