Dominican Culture & Carnaval Festival SWFL
Our signature event, being developed for 2027 in Southwest Florida to celebrate Dominican heritage through a carnaval parade, music, dance, food, vendors, family activities, and community programming.
Coming in 2027 · Southwest Florida
Dominican Culture& Carnaval Festival
A celebration of Dominican culture, music, Carnaval, food, family and community.
Official Date & Venue Announcement Coming Soon
Vendor interest list only. Joining does not guarantee vendor acceptance.
Get Festival Updates → Building Carnaval 2027
Building Carnaval 2027
Preparations are underway for the 2027 Dominican Culture & Carnaval Festival in Southwest Florida.
Carnaval for Change Foundation is working with artists, DJs, cultural groups, businesses, sponsors, vendors, media organizations and community partners to build an unforgettable celebration of Dominican culture and Carnaval traditions.
Official date, venue, entertainment and partnership announcements are coming soon.
2027 sponsorship, partnership & vendor opportunities are now open
Earlier partnerships
More time to co-create meaningful experiences with corporate and community partners.
Vendors & local business
Room to plan a vibrant marketplace of food, artisans and local entrepreneurs.
Artists & community
Deeper collaboration with artists, Carnaval groups and cultural organizations.
Signature Event
Dominican Culture & Carnaval Festival SWFL
Coming SoonComing in 2027Southwest Florida
The inaugural Dominican Culture & Carnaval Festival is coming to Southwest Florida in 2027 as the foundation's signature cultural celebration, designed to bring the spirit of Dominican Carnaval to Southwest Florida through culture, music, dance, food, family, and community.
The event will serve as both a cultural celebration and a fundraising platform to support the foundation's broader mission, including youth programs, cultural preservation, family support, and charitable outreach.
2027 · Southwest Florida
The Festival Experience
What the Dominican Culture & Carnaval Festival is being built to become — live entertainment, cultural performances, VIP experiences and a celebration for the whole family.
Music & Dance
Live Dominican music and dance traditions at the heart of the celebration -- merengue, bachata, and the rhythms that carry Carnaval.
Carnaval Costume & Culture
The color and craft of Dominican Carnaval, rooted in the traditions of the Carnaval of La Vega, presented for a Southwest Florida audience.
Food & Food Trucks
Dominican and Caribbean flavors from local vendors and food trucks. Join the 2027 vendor interest list.
Family-Friendly
Designed as a welcoming, family-friendly day for all ages and all backgrounds across Southwest Florida.
Community Impact
The festival doubles as a fundraising platform for youth programs, cultural preservation, family support, and charitable outreach.
VIP & Partner Experiences
Hospitality, VIP experiences and brand activations alongside local businesses, sponsors, vendors and community partners.
The 2027 date, venue, schedule and lineup will be announced once confirmed. Join the festival update list to hear first.
2027 Entertainment
Lineup Announcements Coming Soon
Music will be at the heart of Carnaval 2027. We are developing a dynamic entertainment lineup featuring Dominican music, DJs, live performances, cultural entertainment and Carnaval experiences.
Follow the Road to Carnaval 2027 for official artist and DJ announcements.
Get Festival Updates2027 Partners
Coming Soon
Interested in becoming one of our founding partners? Become part of the group of businesses and organizations helping build the inaugural Dominican Culture & Carnaval Festival.
Become a 2027 PartnerBuild It With Us
Become a Founding Partner
Help bring the 2027 Dominican Culture & Carnaval Festival to life.
Founding partners have an opportunity to connect their brands with Dominican culture, families, businesses and communities throughout Southwest Florida while helping build a new annual cultural tradition from the beginning.
Partnership opportunities can be customized around brand visibility, on-site activation, community engagement, digital promotion, hospitality and other mutually beneficial opportunities.
- On-site brand activations
- VIP experiences
- Stage recognition opportunities
- Digital & social media exposure
- Product integration
- Vehicle displays
- Consumer engagement
- Hospitality opportunities
- Community initiatives
- Customized branded experiences
Partner Categories
AutomotiveBeverageFinancial ServicesHealthcareRetailHospitalityAirlines & TravelMediaTelecommunicationsLocal BusinessCommunity Partners
Partnership benefits are customized. Category exclusivity is not promised. Beverage, sampling and product-sales rights require separate approval depending on venue and applicable partners.
Request 2027 Partnership Information
Tell us about your goals — we'll follow up to design the right partnership.
2027 Vendor Interest List
Vendors: Be First in Line for 2027
Interested in bringing your food, products, services or brand to the Dominican Culture & Carnaval Festival? Join the list for priority notification when vendor applications and spaces become available.
Food TrucksRestaurantsFood & BeverageRetailArtisansProfessional ServicesCommunity OrganizationsExhibitorsLocal Businesses
The Road to Carnaval 2027 Starts Now 🇩🇴
- Artist announcements
- Carnaval groups
- Sponsors
- Vendors
- Community events
- Behind-the-scenes updates
Be among the first to know what's coming.
Our Mission
Culture that creates change
Carnaval for Change Foundation is dedicated to preserving, celebrating and promoting Dominican culture and Carnaval traditions while creating opportunities for cultural education, community connection and economic participation.
Through the Dominican Culture & Carnaval Festival, we aim to bring together families, businesses, artists, cultural organizations and community partners for an annual celebration in Southwest Florida — welcoming both the Dominican community and the broader Southwest Florida community.
"We believe culture can educate, unite, inspire, and create change."
Our Vision
A cultural bridge across communities
Our vision is to build a cultural and charitable organization that strengthens connections between Southwest Florida and the Dominican Republic while celebrating Dominican heritage across generations.
We envision a future where Dominican culture is celebrated with pride, Carnaval traditions are preserved for future generations, and cultural events help create opportunities for education, outreach, community support and humanitarian partnerships.
Dominican Cultural Heritage
Inspired by the Carnaval Vegano
La Vega, Dominican Republic
The festival draws inspiration from the traditions, artistry, music, costumes, characters and community spirit of Dominican Carnaval, including the celebrated Carnaval Vegano of La Vega.
Carnaval for Change Foundation is an independent Southwest Florida nonprofit inspired by Dominican Carnaval traditions. We are not the official Carnaval Vegano and are not affiliated with it, the government of La Vega, or any other organization.
Centuries
Tradition
Living
Heritage
Dominican
Spirit
What We Do
Our Initiatives
Carnaval for Change Foundation is building initiatives designed to preserve Dominican culture, strengthen families and communities, create educational opportunities and expand the impact of our cultural mission beyond the annual festival.
Dominican Carnaval Cultural Preservation
A developing initiative designed to support Carnaval groups and cultural organizations working to preserve costumes, music, dance, traditional characters, youth participation, and Dominican Carnaval heritage.
Youth & Community Outreach
We are building outreach that will support youth, families, and underserved communities through education, mentorship, school supplies, family support, and charitable outreach initiatives.
Cultural Education & Arts
Our goal is to offer cultural learning opportunities through music, dance, costume-making, storytelling, workshops, performances, and heritage education.
Our Vision for Community Impact
Preserving Culture. Empowering Communities.
As we build toward the inaugural Dominican Culture & Carnaval Festival in 2027, our community impact goals center on four themes that guide the partnerships and programs we develop.
Cultural Preservation
Supporting Dominican Carnaval traditions and cultural education.
Youth & Families
Creating opportunities for youth participation, education and family engagement.
Local Economic Participation
Creating opportunities for vendors, entrepreneurs and local businesses.
Community Connection
Bringing together Dominican, Hispanic, Caribbean and broader Southwest Florida communities.
Seeking Media Partners
Help Us Tell the Story of Dominican Culture in Southwest Florida
Carnaval for Change Foundation is seeking broadcast, print, digital, radio, photography and social media partners to help share the story of Dominican culture, our community mission and the road to the inaugural 2027 festival.
Broadcast Reach
Potential recognition and interview opportunities, subject to availability and approval.
Editorial Coverage
Story leads and festival updates for print and digital outlets.
Content & Photography
Content collaboration and cross-promotion for photo and video partners.
Amplify The Mission
Help share Dominican heritage stories and festival news across SWFL.
Leadership
Board of Directors
Carnaval for Change Foundation Inc. is governed by its Board of Directors, which provides oversight, accountability, and support for the organization's cultural, educational, and charitable mission.
RC
Rafael Cabrera
Founder & President
Rafael Cabrera founded Carnaval for Change Foundation Inc. to preserve Dominican heritage while creating opportunities for youth, families, and underserved communities through culture, education, and community outreach.
JJ
Dra. Jermyn M. Javier
Vice President
Dra. Jermyn M. Javier serves as Vice President of Carnaval for Change Foundation Inc., helping guide the organization's mission, community initiatives, educational programs, and strategic partnerships that strengthen cultural preservation and community development.
MT
Marco M. Tomas
Secretary / Treasurer
Marco M. Tomas serves as Secretary/Treasurer of Carnaval for Change Foundation Inc. as part of the Foundation's founding board.
Get In Touch
Contact Carnaval for Change Foundation Inc.
Whether you're a sponsor, donor, volunteer, vendor, cultural partner, or community member, we'd love to hear from you.