Cuba Events in January
Premio Literarío – La Havana Organized by the Casa de las Américas in Havana in mid-January. This prestigious literary prize brings together South American-Canadian authors of all genres: poetry, essays, theatre, novels, Caribbean literature, etc. Semana de la cultura trinitaria – Trinidad It is held at the beginning of January. Concerts, exhibitions, conferences throughout the city. All these events revolve around culture: handicrafts, contempo-rain art, Cuban traditions, Cuban music…Cuba Events in February
Feria internacional del libro de la Havana Annual event whose last edition took place from 12 to 22 February 2015. This book fair was dedicated to Indian culture. Semana de la cultura Camagüeyana Every year during the first week of February, the city authorities organise this cultural event to pay tribute to the city’s founders. It is an opportunity to highlight the socio-cultural, scientific and technical development of the region. The activities are scattered all over the city.Cuba Events in March
Cinematographic Cristics – Camagüey This important festival takes place in the second half of March. It is often the Cuban echo of the Festival of New Latin American Cinema. More than 150 films, including many Cuban productions, are screened there. Festival del Són – Santiago de Cuba Third week of March. A city of music par excellence, the local authorities organise every year during the third week of March, the festival of the són, the musical genre that, among other things, gave birth to salsa and which defines Afro-Caribbean music more than any other. Cafés and other traditional hangouts come alive and the street follows!Cuba Events in April
Festival internacion del Cine pobre – Gibara- +53 7 838 3657
- festivalcinepob[email protected]
Cuba Events in May
French Film Festical – La Havana Organized since 1992 by the Cinémania association of director and producer Christophe Barratier and by Nouredine Essadi, with the constant support of the Alliance française de Cuba and the French embassy in Cuba, the festival is today considered as the great annual meeting of French culture in Cuba. A popular success that is not to be denied, with more than 100,000 spectators each year. After Isabelle Huppert in 2012, the guests of honour were Sandrine Bonnaire and Pierre Etaix in 2013 and, in 2014, François-Xavier Demaison and Pierre Niney made the trip to Cuba for the festival. present their film Comme des Frères. In 2015, the guest of honour at the festival was none other than the famous director Costa-Gavras. International Festical of the poetry – La Havana Organized by the Union of Cuban Writers at the Convento de San Francisco de Asís, this festival takes place in May. Discovery of new authors in particular. During the last editions of the Festival have participated authors from Argen-tine, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Italy, from Palestine, Puerto Rico and Venezuela. Romerías de Mayo – Holguín www.romeriasdemayo.cult.cu A week-long festival, at the beginning of May, based on art and culture (dance, painting, literature). A procession joins the Loma de la Cruz, on 3 May, in memory of the construction by the monk Antonio Alegria of the the cross overlooking the city in 1790.Cuba Events in June
Camagüey Carnival – Camagüey The festivities last from the end of June to the beginning of July. As in the whole country, the atmosphere is guaranteed between the floats, parades, costumes and the inevitable rum that flows. …in the sea… Internation festival de Boleros de Oro – La Havana The festival, created in 1986 by the composer and musicologist José Loyola Fernández, is considered the most prestigious bolero event organized on this side of the Atlantic. It takes place at the end of June. Fiestas Sanjuaneras – Trinidad Over 3 days at the end of June. Every year, Trinidad organizes its carnival, the fiestas Sanjuaneras. A notable feature is the cavalcade of horses and riders in the streets of the city. Jornada Cucalambeana – Las Tunas Every year, at the end of June, the city pays homage to the local poet Juan Cristóbal Nápoles Fajardo (1829-1862). El Cucalambé, his nickname, was known for his consummate art of decimas, a rhyming poem systematically composed of ten verses. His works will inspire a great number of sound singers.Cuba Events in July
Havana Carnival – La Habana The carnival introduced by the Spaniards has established itself as a popular national holiday. Integrating African traditions, both in music and dance, it is today one of the central elements of Cuban cultural identity. Between 15 July and 15 August, the Malecón of Havana vibrates every weekend to the rhythm of music, dances and float parades. The comparsas (large popular troupes) are having a blast. The public, installed on bleachers or standing along the avenues, enjoy the show. Once the parade is over, the spectators take their turn on the avenues. Beer and rum are flowing, so many generous stimulants for good humour! A simple piece of advice: leave passports and valuables at the hotel, so as not to tempt the service pickpockets. Carnival of Santiago de Cuba Last week of July. It is the most famous, the most sensual, the most popular carnival in Cuba and, perhaps, in the Caribbean. It marks, originally, the end of the sugar zafra (harvest) in the region. The festivities take place during the last week of July and more particularly between 24 and 26 July (count 5 CUC for a grandstand seat). Caribbean Festival In Santiago de Cuba, early July. This festival coincides with the anniversary period of the foundation of the city of Santiago de Cuba, which in July 2015 blew out its 500 candles. Each year a different country is honoured. Many of the city’s cultural hotspots take part in this event. July 9, the closing date of the event (which lasts almost a week), corresponds to the Caribbean Day of Fire, in other words, Devil’s Day.Cuba Events in August
Holguin Carnival Great moment in perspective, usually during the third week of August. Parade, costumes and music will be playing in the city with a contagious energy and a communicative good mood. Let yourself be carried away by the atmosphere and the rhythm, just to taste the joys of the fiesta cubana. International Rap Habana Hip Hop Festival – La Havana In the second week of August, Havana welcomes rappers and hip-hop singers from Cuba and elsewhere for a week of urban music and good atmosphere.Cuba Events in September
Festival Nacional del Teatro de Camagüey Daily performances in all the city’s theatres one week in early September. All genres are represented, from puppet shows to tragi-comedy with actors who compete in skill. Admission is free but places are limited. If you’re there on these dates, plan to be there early…Cuba Events in October
Festical de teatro de la Habana- +53 7 833 4581
- [email protected]
- +53 24 427 714
- www.casadeiberoamerica.cult.cu
- [email protected]
Cuba Events in November
Festival de raices Africanas Wemilere – Guanabacoa End of November in Guanabacoa, 12 km east of Havana. The event focuses on folklore traditions (music and dance) and traditional African arts, which allows a better understanding of the importance of African culture in the Cuban universe. Prestigious artists have been born there, such as Ernesto Lecuona, Rita Montaner and Bola de Nieve.Cuba Events in December
Feria Internacional de Artesania (FIART)- +53 7 860 9661
- [email protected]
Cuba Festivals
Discover the interesting Cuban culture through the most important festivals in Cuba
Cuba is a country with a wide variety of cultural traditions and festivals, despite the fact that on several occasions it has had to face economic crises, Cuba tries to keep alive the folklore most characteristic of the Cuban identity.
Among all the rural, patron saint or carnival celebrations, we can find festivals of Spanish and Canarian origin such as the Fiesta del Fuego (Fire Festival), celebrated in rural areas where country music predominates, as well as the changüí, celebrated in Guantánamo.
There are also the Fiestas de Bandos (Bandos Festivals), which have different names depending on the area of the country in which they are held. They are based on the celebration of events such as skill with horses, etc.
Among the carnival festivities of their Hispanic predecessors, we can find the one in Santiago de Cuba, with important French influences from Haiti, and the one in Havana, which takes place in July in Camagüey.
In general, among the celebrations that you can’t miss are the typical festivals of Cuban culture celebrated in December, the Parrandas and Charangas, which resemble carnivals. Among these celebrations, the most popular are those that take place in Remedios in the province of Villa Clara, those of Bejucal in Havana, Sancti Spíritus and the Ciego de Avila celebrations. The strangest and most surprising of these festivities consists of the rivalry between different neighbourhoods through music, the construction of carriages, pyrotechnics, etc.
Thanks to the cultural crossroads of the area, in addition to the festivities of African origin, we can also find festivities of Haitian origin such as the Bande-Rará and the festivities of the Loás. Other famous Cuban celebrations are related to religion, music and dance.
In addition to its Hispanic origin, carnivals are an important representation of Cuban folklore. Despite the fact that the most important ones are those of Havana, Santiago de Cuba and Camagüey, during the year parades are organized in order to relive the most intimate Cuban music, dances and traditions.
In addition, there are important dates in Cuban history related to events such as the Independence of Cuba on May 20 and January 1, Labor Day on May 1 or the Day of the National Revolt between July 25 and 27. These are the historical facts that commemorate the island’s most important moments.
On the other hand, one of the events not to be missed and which has a great international reputation, beyond the jazz, bolero and arts festivals, is the International Ballet Festival celebrated in Havana every two years in October. In operation since 1960, thanks to the work of the General Director of the National Ballet of Cuba, Alicia Alonso and Fernando Alonso. It is one of the most prestigious dance festivals in the world.
Another criterion for choosing when to go to Cuba: the great events on the island! Overall, the July-August period is rich in festivities. The most popular and oldest event in the Caribbean is the Carnival of Santiago de Cuba, which takes place at the end of July. Beware of this period, temperatures can rise in Santiago de Cuba and there are also many people in Cuba. But, if you are looking for when to go to Cuba, July or August can be the perfect time to have fun at the Santiago de Cuba carnival. This unique carnival in the world is an explosion of colors, costumes, music, dance and floats going wild in Cuba. If you are still hesitating when to go to Cuba, the carnival period is a once in a lifetime experience!
Among the events in July and August that can help you know when to go to Cuba, there is also the other great carnival in Cuba after the one in Santiago de Cuba: the carnival in Havana.
The latter takes place at the end of August and brings life and color back to Havana’s historic center and the Malecón. It is also worth noting that on July 26th, Cubans celebrate the day of the revolution. A festival of importance, it celebrates the day Fidel Castro launched the hostilities of the Cuban revolution in 1953 in Santiago de Cuba.
If you are still hesitating about the ideal time to visit Cuba, all you have to do is pick from our 3 best moments to know when to go to Cuba!
Les Évènements à Cuba
Février | Feria Internacional del Libro (La Havane) | foire internationale du livre: Présentations de livres, lectures et remise du prestigieux prix Casa de las Américas |
Février | Festival international du Jazz (La Havane) | Scènes de jazz |
Février | Plongée en eaux claires (Cuba) | Meilleure saison pour la plongée |
Mars | Festival Internacional de Trova (Santiago de Cuba) | Festival de musique populaire |
Mars | Fiesta de la Toronja (Nueva Gerona ) | grande fête donnée où le guachi (eau-de-vie de pamplemousse) coule à flots. |
Mars | Observation des oiseaux (Cuba) | les oiseaux migrateurs venus d’Amérique du Nord et du Sud croisent les espèces endémiques de Cuba au cours de leur périple vers des climats plus chauds ou plus froids |
Avril | Semana de la Cultura (Baracoa) | Carnaval endiablé |
Avril | Festival Internacional del Cine Pobre (Gibara) | festival du film à petit budget: ateliers autour de projections de films et des débats. |
Avril | Bienal Internacional del Humor (San Antonio de los Baños) | festival de l’humour |
Mai | Romerías de Mayo (Holguín) | fête religieuse avec procession au lieu de pèlerinage |
Mai | Cubadisco (Cuba) | Rassemblement annuel de producteurs de disques cubains et étrangers : concerts, salon du disque et cérémonie |
Mai | Tournoi de pêche au marlin Hemingway (La Havane) | Concours international |
Juin | Jornada Cucalambeana (Las Tunas) | la fête de la musique folklorique cubaine et des décimas (strophes de 10 vers) |
Juin | Festival Internacional « Boleros de Oro » (La Havane) | fête des Boleros de Oro a été créée par le compositeur et musicologue cubain José Loyola Fernández : grande célébration de ce genre musical avec concerts et spectacles |
Juin | Fiestas Sanjuaneras (Trinidad ) | Carnaval avec cow-boys qui s’élancent à cheval dans les étroites rues pavées de la ville. |
Juillet | Festival del Caribe, Fiesta del Fuego (Santiago) | fête de la Culture caribéenne, fête du Feu: expositions, chants, danses, poésie et rituels à connotation religieuse originaires de toutes les Caraïbes. |
Juillet | Día de la Rebeldía Nacional (Cuba) | commémoration de l’attaque manquée de Fidel Castro contre la caserne Moncada à Santiago de Cuba |
Juillet | Carnaval de Santiago de Cuba (Santiago de Cuba) | carnaval avec chars, danseurs, rhum, rumba, etc. |
Août | Festival Internacional « Habana Hip-Hop » (La Havane) | festival annuel du hip-hop avec improvisations et échanges d’idées. |
Août | Carnaval de La Havane (La Havane) | Défilés, danses, musique, costumes bigarrés et impressionnantes effigies |
Septembre | Festival Internacional de Música Benny Moré (Santa Isabel de las Lajas) | fête bisannuelle rend hommage au Bárbaro del ritmo |
Septembre | Fiesta de Nuestra Señora de la Caridad (Santiago) | pèlerinage à la Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Cobre pour honorer la vénérée patronne de Cuba |
Octobre | Festival Internacional de Ballet de La Habana (La Havane) | festival organisé par le Ballet national de Cuba : Expositions, galas, ballets classiques et contemporains |
Octobre | Festival del Bailador Rumbero (Matanzas) | talentueux musiciens qui se produisent au Teatro Sauto |
Novembre | Fiesta de los Bandos Rojo y Azul (Majagua) | manifestations de la culture paysanne : la population se divise en deux équipes et s’affronte lors de concours de danse et de musique |
Novembre | Marabana (La Havane) | Marathon |
Décembre | Festival Nacional de Changüí (Guantánamo) | Festival musical |
Décembre | Festival Internacional del Nuevo Cine Latinoamericano (La Havane) | Festival international du film illustrant l’influence grandissante de Cuba sur le cinéma latino-américain. |
Décembre | Procesión de San Lázaro (Santiago de Las Vegas) | Processions pratiquées par le chemin à genoux, à pieds afin d’exorciser les esprits malins ou en remerciement d’une grâce accordée. |
Décembre | Las Parrandas (Remedios) | Chars et feux d’artifices |
Décembre | Las Charangas de Bejucal (Bejucal) | Jeux d’équipes |
Janvier | Día de la Liberación (Cuba) | Triomphe de la Révolution |