The Procigar Festival is an experience of such high caliber that its members –the owners of the most important factories in the Dominican Republic– welcome you like a friend inviting you into their home to eat, drink, and smoke their finest cigars. Yes, that kind of friend.
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Since 2008, when its inaugural celebration was announced, the goal has remained unchanged: to create an experience that centers on the attendees, providing exceptional hospitality and the warmth of the Dominican people, while offering an in-depth look at where the country’s premium cigars are born and how they are crafted.
This experience is so spectacular, exclusive, and personalized that it is difficult to forget, especially for first-time attendees. This was the case for a large portion of the more than 1,000 international participants in this 2026 edition, according to the organizers. The festival’s design profoundly enriches your knowledge of tobacco while allowing you to experience one of the finest international celebrations in the world of premium cigars.
With their unique personalities, tastes, and stories, each member of the Association of Dominican Cigar Manufacturers (Procigar) offers experiences that can be extravagant, traditional, or innovative, all under the same dynamic: field tours to learn about pre-industrial processes, followed by factory visits where meals and fine cigars are shared. Those attending the full festival can choose from available field and factory tours; as one might imagine, the Arturo Fuente visit is among the first to sell out.
In addition, there is the Opening Party, the Warm-up Festival, and three dinners: Welcome, White, and Gala. At each one, you receive commemorative boxes featuring the best products from Procigar’s members: Arnold André, Casa Carrillo, De los Reyes Cigars, General Cigar, La Aurora, La Flor Dominicana, PDR Cigars, Quesada Cigars, Tabacalera Arturo Fuente, Tabacalera de García, Tamadom Holding Inc., and Tabacalera Palma. These are spectacular parties, as only the Dominicans can plan and execute.
An important fact is that in the Dominican Republic, tobacco and cigars have been declared Cultural Heritage of the country. Furthermore, this industry generates more than 100,000 direct jobs and is the leading employer in the free trade zones, with over 43,000 positions, most of which are held by women. In 2025, exports exceeded $1.3 billion, and the country is currently the second-largest supplier of cigars to the United States.
Based on these achievements, Litto Gómez, President of Procigar, presented an award to the former Minister of Industry, Commerce, and MSMEs, Víctor “Ito” Bisonó, who supported and maintained a commitment to the tobacco sector during his administration, strengthening it through his leadership and collaborative spirit.
During the Gala Dinner, the event that marks the closing of the festival, the traditional charity auction took place, reaching a historic record of $618,000 this year. This will support institutions such as the Voluntariado Jesús con los Niños, the Hospicio San Vicente de Paúl, and other organizations dedicated to health and community development, as well as the Museum of the Monument to the Heroes of the Restoration in Santiago de los Caballeros.
The highest bid came from Nicaraguan producer Abdel Fernández of AJ Fernández Cigars, who paid $150,000 for the Arturo Fuente humidor –a moment that undoubtedly defined the night* and served as the perfect conclusion to a festival that is arguably the most important of its kind in the world today.
(*) A recording of this moment is available on Humo Latino’s social media channels.
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