From mid-January to the end of March, you can take a tour to Samana Bay to watch the thousands of humpback whales who migrate from the North Atlantic to the Dominican Republic each winter to get-together and give birth! To schedule a tour, click on the link below: Photo Courtesy of PleaseTakeMeTo.com

Celebrating the whole month of February, the country highlights Dominican Independence Day on February 27th. Some towns celebrate during March, Holy Week and in August. The biggest parades are in La Vega, Santo Domingo, and Montecristi. Photo by Allan Romero

In its first year, the Annual House Music Festival, will take place in Sosua on Wednesday, March 5th to Sunday, March 9th. The line-up consists of talent such as DJ Carlos Mena and DJ Gene Hunt who will keep the party jumping at Hotel El Colibri for four days! To purchase tickets, click on the link below:

During Holy Week, both magical and religious, gaga ceremonies are celebrations based on reincarnation that take place in parts of the country that hold large Haitian settlements and African roots. Popular areas are those in Villa Mella in Santo Domingo, and Guloyas in San Pedro de Macoris where they are known to wear colorful outfits as seen in the photo.

From the legends of old to the hottest new sounds in Bachata, BachaTu: The International Bachata Day Music & Dance Festival will have live music for Bachata lovers of all kinds from Thursday, May 29th to Monday, June 2nd in Boca Chica. For more details and to purchase tickets, click on the link below: Photo Courtesy of MIA Dance

Seven weeks after Holy Week, the town of Villa Mella, situated not so far from Santo Domingo holds the biggest Espíritu Santo celebration in all of the Dominican Republic to honor the island's African heritage. Move to the lively conga drums and other African instruments. Photo by magneticart on Flickr

A two-week celebration starting Friday, July 25th and ending Sunday, August 10th is a 24/7 dance party featuring tipico to modern merengue in Santo Domingo's El Malecon. For more info, click on the link below: Photo Courtesy of rubbercityreview.com

Visit the town of Higüey on August 16th for its fiesta patronal which features cowboys on horseback, bulls and an icon of the Virgin St. Mary being carried while singing rosarios. The town of Bayaguana also has the same festivity starting on December 28 and ending on January 1st.

Brugal Rum and the Ministry of Tourism present the Merengue Festival & Caribbean Rhythms of Puerto Plata at the Puntilla del Malecón of that city. Two days of celebration will feature performances by renowned artists. Both days start with live DJ music from 7:00 pm followed by artistic presentations of several artists.

Don't miss this once in a lifetime opportunity for off-the-hook fun, beaches, food and dancing! Swim in cool turquoise waters, laugh and play on warm white sand, and enjoy the hottest salsa dancing ever at the Punta Cana Salsa Congress at the luxurious Grand Palladium Palace Resort. For more info:

The Dominican Republic Global Film Festival presents a selection of the best international, documentary and dramatic films to enrich the country's cinematic culture. It contributes to raising awareness and understanding of global issues through stories about events and people that have left a mark on our lives. For more info, click link below:

One of the most celebrated loves of the country, the country's national sport, baseball, takes place every season from mid-October through February. Photo Courtesy of Zimbio.com Check out their schedule below: