Chiquito Team Band opens the Santiago patron saint festivities

Santiago de los Caballeros.– The city of Santiago will kick off the Santiago Apóstol el Mayor 2026 Patron Saint Festivities this Thursday, July 16, one of the most emblematic religious and cultural celebrations in the country, with an extensive program that will run until July 25 and will include masses, concerts, and sports, cultural, and social action activities.

The festivity, organized by the Archdiocese of Santiago through the Permanent Committee and the Santiago Apóstol Cathedral, is supported by the Provincial Government, the Santiago City Hall, and the Senatorial Office.

This year also commemorates the 531 years since the founding of the first Santiago in America.

As part of the popular activities, the opening night will conclude with a free concert by Chiquito Team Band on the main stage installed next to the Cathedral, while the closing, on July 25th, will be led by merengue artist Pochy Familia and his Coco Band, both shows scheduled for 7:30 at night.

During the official presentation of the program, held in the Roque Adames hall, Governor Rosa Santos, the mayor, and Senator Daniel Rivera agreed to highlight that the patron saint festivities represent one of the most important expressions of Santiago’s historical, cultural, and religious identity, recalling that this tradition dates back to the year 1518.

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In this edition, the Historical Archive of Santiago, the Institute of Culture and Art (ICA), and the Hogar de la Armonía School of Music will be recognized for their contributions to the cultural and artistic development of the Heart City.

Religious activities will include Eucharists, which will be celebrated daily at 6:30 in the evening and will be presided over by prominent bishops and priests of the country, including Monsignor Julio César Corniel, Monsignor Santiago Rodríguez, Monsignor Carlos Tomás Morel Diplán, Monsignor Manuel Ruiz, Monsignor Alfredo de la Cruz, as well as Archbishop Héctor Rafael Rodríguez and Auxiliary Bishop Amauri Rosario, along with other representatives of the clergy.

With the slogan “Santiago will be celebrating from July 16th to the 25th,” the organizers invited all citizens to participate in a program that combines spirituality, culture, music, and tradition, consolidating patron saint festivities that have been part of the province’s historical heritage for more than five centuries.