As anyone who has been lucky enough to go on holiday in Cuba will probably tell you, the Cubans really know how to throw a party! The island is a vibrant centre of dance, art and music, and the blend of Spanish and Caribbean cultures has given rise to a number of international festivals and annual carnivals that are a real treat for visitors and locals alike.
There are numerous great events going on throughout the year in Cuba; holidays to the island will usually coincide with a festival or two if you are lucky. But there are some events that it is well worth planning your holiday in Cuba around: here are five of the biggest and best...
International Jazz Festival
There are plenty of jazz festivals that you can go to while on holiday in Cuba, but the biggest is the International Jazz Festival, held every February in Havana. Starting out as a little local event at the Casa de la Cultura de Plaza in 1978, the festival now holds events in theatres and nightclubs all over Havana, with the famed Chucho Valdes as its artistic director.
Havana Carnival
July is Carnival season in Cuba; holidays to the island in this month are very popular for just this reason. Carnivals in Cuba mean street parties, floats, processions, dancing, music, and plenty of Cuban rum! Every neighbourhood in Havana has its own Carnival float and practices for months to perfect their routine, and visitors to the island at this time of year are treated to a riot of colour, sound and all night parties.
Santiago de Cuba Carnival
The Carnival in Havana is a massive event, but its counterpart in Santiago de Cuba is potentially even bigger and better. The whole city seems to turn into one giant conga line in July each year, and the carnival in this city attracts the biggest crowd on the island. The street parties go on all night, and music, dance, traditional Cuban food and spectacular street displays are all there to be enjoyed by visitors on their Cuban holidays.
Las Parrandas de Remedios
Those who go on Cuba holidays at Christmas are rewarded with a unique experience - Las Parrandas de Remedios, a festival on the 24th of December that has been running for almost 200 years. Legend goes that a priest in 19th century Remedios sent children into the streets of the city to make as much noise as they could and drive the locals to mass. The residents took it as a cue to take to the streets and have a good time! Nowadays the festival takes the form of a "parrandas", or competition between the two neighbourhoods of El Carmen and San Salvador. Each neighbourhood competes to construct the most spectacular float, surrounded by lanterns and kites, and on the evening of Christmas Eve the two sides go head to head in a parade, accompanied by a spectacular fireworks display.
International Havana Ballet Festival
Cuba may be more famous for Salsa and Mambo than for ballet, but the International Havana Ballet Festival, which runs from the 24th of October to the 6th of November every two years, is a major international event for ballet lovers. The best companies come from all over the world to perform at the Great Theatre of Havana, which has seen almost 200 world premieres since the festival began in 1960. If you have any interest at all in ballet, a Cuban holiday at this time of year is a must.
Emma Lelliott is the general manager of Captivating Cuba, an independent specialist in Cuba holidays. With offices in Havana and the UK, Captivating Cuba can help you tailor-make the perfect Cuban holiday experience.
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
Flughafen Last Minute Super Last Minute Urlaub
By: Burt Mitchell | 02/01/2010Die nach wie vor wichtigste Quelle für qualifiziertes Personal in reiseburos ist die Ausbildung in diesen selbst zur Reiseverkehrskauffrau/zum Reiseverkehrskaufmann und zur Reiseverkehrsassistentin/zum Reiseverkehrsassistenten. Aber auch mit zunehmenden Maß arbeiten auch Fachhochschulabsolventen bei großen reiseburos. Weitere Ausbildungsstätten sind Fremdenverkehrsfachschulen und -akademien. Die steigende Reiseerfahrung der Kunden und der schwindende Informationsvorsprung des reiseb...
Mumbai Weekend breaks
By: Gaurav Kaushik | 02/01/2010The stunning getaways from Mumbai, Lonavala & Khandala do not require any introduction. Unquestionably the most preferred with the Bollywood filmmakers and localities of Mumbai alike, Lonavala is also recognized as the gem of the Sahayadri Hills. Positioned in the Mumbai-Pune Highway, approximately 5 kms at a distance from each other, these look-alike hill stations are most excellent in the rainy season, when they throw on the best shadow of sea green. Stroll through mist covered places, stopove
Weekend breaks near Mumbai
By: Gaurav Kaushik | 02/01/2010Keshavraj and Vyaghreshwar: The Shrines of Keshavraj and Vyaghreshwar positioned at Asud in close proximity to Dapoli are also wonderful and splendid tourism options. Located on a hill close to the village, one has to amble through wooded land to arrive at the temple. You can also unearth some of the most stunning selection of flora and fauna with wild cacti, attractive butterflies, and thick plantations of coconut and beetle nut trees.All these places perhaps give you some most wonderful unforg
Weekend Beaks to Venice
By: Gaurav Kaushik | 02/01/2010Even though the chief views such as St Mark's Square and Basilica, the Rialto Bridge and the Palazzo Ducale are crowded with large number of people all the year around from all over the world but at the same time it is not complicated to get away from the crowds. The backside streets are creased with buildings that in any other city would be most important attractions, the museums are bursting with riches and the drowsy islands of Italy's most well-known lagoon embraces glories of their own.
Weekend Break to Barcelona City
By: Gaurav Kaushik | 02/01/2010There are numerous Flights to Barcelona and they are relatively cheap. During the summer months the booking of the ticket is done in advance as there is lots of crowd. The Scottish and Irish citizens and European Union nationals are excused from taking a visa to go to Spain, they only require the passports when they land. There are lots of changes in the rules and regulations so it is always advisable to check the details before one plan out for a weekend.
Weekend break near Kolkatta
By: Gaurav Kaushik | 02/01/2010Dr Graham's Home: Currently a chief traveler attraction, this was an instituition constructed to impart quality education to the children of the tea-estates. It is at present also an orphanage and has a museum which is raised in the remembrance of the creator, Dr J.A. Graham and his partner Catharine. The establishment extends over a 500 acre land full with own dairy, poultry and their own confectionary house.
RISHIKESH
By: Gaurav Kaushik | 02/01/2010Bharat Temple: This is the most ancient temple in the city as it was constructed in the 12th century. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is assumed to be carved out of a single stone. of Mahavishnu
Trip To Brussels
By: Gaurav Kaushik | 02/01/2010One must take some accommodation close to the Grand-Place as it is in the heart of the city and all places are located at a short distance from here. The visitors can look for some best chocolate shops, the booking of the city break hotel can be done in Sablon district.
The Best Cuba Hotels For 4 Different Cuban Holidays
By: Emma Lelliott | 12/12/2009 | TravelWhether you want to enjoy the highlights of Havana, relax in five star accommodation on the coast, or escape to a secluded part of the island, there's bound to be a Cuba hotel that's perfect for you. Here are four of the country's very best. The Best Cuba Hotels for 4...
How to Find the Best Guardalavaca Resorts
By: Emma Lelliott | 15/11/2009 | TravelIn a place like Guardalavaca, your hotel isn't just a place to sleep, it is your entire holiday - your accommodation, catering, entertainment, and recreation are all likely to be provided for in the hotel itself. That makes getting it just right doubly important! Here is a sure fire way...
Cayo Coco: An Island Paradise
By: Emma Lelliott | 26/10/2009 | TravelWith palm-fringed beaches and a wide variety of flora and a fauna, you will feel as though you are close to paradise on your holidays to Cayo Coco. The fourth largest island in Cuba is known for the popular all inclusive resorts that line its beachfront and the attractive coral...
A Twin Break - Havana and Cayo Coco
By: Emma Lelliott | 29/09/2009 | TravelThink of Cuba and, apart from cigars, one of the first things that comes to mind is her fabulous beaches and wonderful Caribbean sunshine. But increasingly Cuba is becoming renowned as a unique destination, able to offer not only the luxury of a resort style beach holiday in places such...
The Three Best Guardalavaca Hotels
By: Emma Lelliott | 29/07/2009 | TravelOn a holiday to the sunny resort of Guardalavaca there are a number of luxury hotels for you to choose from. However, with each Guardalavaca resort offering something completely different for the luxury holidaymaker we have listed what we consider to be the three best resorts in Guardalavaca: Paridisus Rio Del...
Exciting Activities in Guardalavaca
By: Emma Lelliott | 25/07/2009 | TravelHotels in Guardalavaca, Cuba, are ideally situated for a range of activities in this excellent location. From swimming with dolphins to enjoying a drink with the locals, a Guardalavaca holiday will be an interesting experience. Guardalavaca is a beautiful region on the north coast of Cuba in the province of Holguin....
The Top Five Hotels in Varadero
By: Emma Lelliott | 28/05/2009 | TravelIberostar Varadero For that unique feel of Cuban colonial splendour, look no further than the Iberostar Varadero. A new addition to the Caribbean coast, this luxury Varadero hotel boasts a magnificent colonial style, mirroring the marble pillars and domes of historic Havana. Located in a secluded spot on an azure sea,...
5 Steps Closer to the Real Cuba in Havana
By: Emma Lelliott | 17/05/2009 | TravelVenture in the Historical Centre of Old Havana La Habana Vieja is the most popular area, and when you'll see its fabulous architecture, you'll know why. Heavily influenced by the 400-year-long colonial period, the heart of the city is a classified World Heritage Site by the UNESCO and its magnificent buildings...