ROSEAU, Dominica (January 14, 2025) - Discover Dominica Authority gears up for Mas Domnik 2025: The Real Mas, with celebrations taking place from January 18 – March 5, 2025. The main events on March 3 and 4 will showcase an authentic cultural experience that highlights the island's rich history, music and community spirit.  

Mas Domnik is notably one of the oldest carnivals in the Caribbean and stands out as one of the region's most authentic events, featuring lively music, dance, elaborate costumes and street parades. It has deep historical roots in the masquerade traditions originating from formerly enslaved Africans. Over time, it has evolved into a vibrant festival that blends African, French, European and Kalinago (Dominica's indigenous community) influences, celebrating cultural pride that unites communities in joyous festivities, which bring in travelers from around the world each year. 

“Mas Domnik is known throughout the Caribbean as one of the safest, most affordable and most authentic Carnival celebrations,” said Marva Williams, CEO of Discover Dominica Authority. “As one of our most treasured cultural celebrations, Mas Domnik plays tribute to the culture, resilience and heritage of our destination. Through music, dance, food and fun, we invite visitors to join us in celebrating Mas Domnik for a truly authentic experience fit for entire families to enjoy. There are numerous events scheduled all over the island with the main fetes and parades taking place Carnival Monday and Tuesday, and we encourage visitors to stay through Ash Wednesday to experience Tewé Vaval, the burial of Carnival, which is unique to Domnica.” 

Mas Domnik celebrations start this month with the official opening of carnival taking place January 18. J'ouvert marks the start of Carnival in Dominica early on Carnival Monday, March 3 with the theme “The Rebirth” New Carnival beginnings, and later, featuring the traditional parade, showcasing the vibrant display of the people. Carnival Tuesday, March 4, features calypso and pageantry winners, costume bands and carnival T-Shirt bands transitioning into an immersive evening with live, local music. Celebrations come to a spectacular end on March 5 with Tewé Vaval, a unique Dominican custom marking the end of Carnival when a coffin representing “Vaval” or “Carnival” is paraded through the streets and burned in a bonfire amidst drumming and dancing, symbolizing the burial of the Carnival spirt.  

For travelers visiting Dominica, there are a variety of accommodation options to choose from, some of which feature special packages for Carnival. Options include:  

• Fort Young Hotel: Located in the capital city of Roseau, Fort Young Hotel is a full-service, heritage hotel on the Caribbean Sea. Its close proximity to downtown makes this an ideal hotel for Carnival attendees, while offering a variety of unique experiences for guests to enjoy. Travelers can book the All-Inclusive + Island-Included package to get the most out of their stay, complete with daily breakfast, 2-course lunches, afternoon snacks, 3-course dinners and daily scheduled excursions.  

• Villa Copthall: A boutique-style hotel located in Roseau, Villa Copthall offers guests a comfortable and charming setting for travelers visiting for Carnival. This is a more affordable option for those looking to save while visiting the Nature Island.  
• InterContinental Dominica Cabrits Resort & Spa: Located in the northern town of Portsmouth, InterContinental Dominica Cabrits Resort & Spa is a beachfront wellness sanctuary ideal for the eco-conscious luxury traveler. The resort rests on a nature reserve alongside an extinct volcano surrounded by lush rainforest and marine habitats, offering a variety of activities both on land and in the sea. Their Carnival Package offers extra savings for travelers who stay longer and features included breakfast and transportation to two Carnival events.  

This year, Mas Domnik will be more accessible than ever before with the launch of United Airlines' direct flight from Newark International Airport to Douglas-Charles Airport (DOM). The flight launches on February 15, 2025, just in time for Carnival season, with flights departing every Saturday. The United Airlines' flight is the second direct flight from the United States to Dominica, following American Airlines' direct flight from Miami International Airport to DOM. Additionally, multiple airlines connect the island to major hubs in the Caribbean including LIAT 2020, Sunrise Airways, Caribbean Airlines, WINAIR and InterCaribbean Airways. The island is also accessible via RFS L'Express des Îles ferry services from Martinique, Saint Lucia and Guadeloupe.  

For more information on Mas Domnik 2025 or to book your trip, visit discoverdominica.com or dominicafestivals.com. Travelers visiting Dominica are encouraged to complete the Electronic Immigration Form at https://edcard.dominica.gov.dm/ for seamless arrival.  

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About Dominica 
Dominica (pronounced Dom-in-EEK-a) lies in the Eastern Caribbean between Guadeloupe to the north and Martinique to the south. Air travelers can connect to Dominica directly from Miami on American Airlines and make regional connections on InterCaribbean Airways, Sunrise Airways, WINAIR, Caribbean Airlines, and Silver Airways - (Code share: American Airlines, Delta, JetBlue) from the surrounding hubs of Antigua, Barbados, Guadeloupe, Puerto Rico, St. Maarten, St Lucia, the British Virgin Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. If traveling by sea, travelers may connect to Dominica on the L 'Express des Iles ferry service from Guadeloupe, Martinique, and St. Lucia. 

For More Information, contact: 
Zapwater Communications  

Holly Zawyer / Madie Holland  

dominica@zapwater.com