The annual calendar is filled with cultural events ranging from “high culture,” such as the International Ballet Festival, to purely local affairs, such as the year-end parrandas of Villa Clara Province, where the townsfolk indulge in massive fireworks battles. A highlight is Carnaval, held in Havana (August) and Santiago (July). Religious parades include the Procession of the Miracles (December 17), when pilgrims descend on the Santuario de San Lázaro, at Rincón, on the outskirts of Santiago de las Vegas in suburban Havana. The old Spanish holiday El Día de los Reyes Magos (Three Kings’ Day), on January 6, is the most important religious observance.

For a list of events, contact the Buró de Convenciones (Hotel Neptuno, 3ra y 70, Miramar, Havana, tel. 07/204-8273, www.cubameeting.travel).

Major Festivals

• Habanos Festival
  (Cigar Festival)
  Each February in Havana
• Festival Internacional de Jazz
  (International Jazz Festival)
  Each April in Havana
• Festival de Semana Santa
  (Easter)
  Each April in Trinidad
• Festival Internacional de Percusión
  (International Percussion Festival)
  Each April in Havana
• Festival Internacional de Cine Pobre
  (International Low-Budget Film Festival)
  Each April in Gibara
• Carnaval de la Habana
  Each August in Havana
• Festival del Caribe
  (Carnaval)
  Each July in Santiago de Cuba
• Festival de la Habana de Música Contemporánea
  (Havana Festival of Contemporary Music)
  Each August in Havana
• Fiesta Iberoamericana de la Cultura
  (Festival of Latin American Culture)
  Each October in Holguín
• Festival Internacional de Ballet
  (International Ballet Festival)
  Each October in Havana
• Festival del Nuevo Cine Latinoamericano
  (International Festival of New Latin American Cinema)
  Each November in Havana
• Festival Internacional de Musica Benny More
  (Benny Moré International Music Festival)
  Each December in Cienfuegos

National Holidays

January 1: Liberation Day (Día de la Liberación)

January 2: Victory Day (Día de la Victoria)

January 28: José Martí’s birthday

February 24: Anniversary of the Second War of Independence

March 8: International Women’s Day (Día de la Mujer)

March 13: Anniversary of the students’ attack on the presidential palace

April 19: Bay of Pigs Victory (Victoria del Playa Girón)

May 1: Labor Day (Día de los Trabajadores)

July 26: National Revolution Day (anniversary of the attack on the Moncada barracks)

July 30: Day of the Martyrs of the Revolution

October 8: Anniversary of Che Guevara’s death

October 10: Anniversary of the First War of Independence

October 28: Memorial day to Camilo Cienfuegos

December 2: Anniversary of the landing of the Granma

December 7: Memorial day to Antonio Maceo