International Book Fair
This book fair is held every year to promote the art of reading. It is held in venues throughout major cities throughout the country. In every venue, you will find pavilions dedicated to children as well as a number of book launches, games and access to new publishing technology. This will also be an opportunity for new regional writers to showcase their work.

Choral Music Festival
Choral music is much loved in Cuba and this prominent festival, held in Santiago de Cuba, is attended by many groups from all across the world. Concerts are held in a number of different venues across the city and choirs perform to eager audiences.

Havana's Guitar Festival and Competition
This is considered one of the world's most prestigious musical festivals and is organised by Cuba's Music Institute. For eight days, Havana residents have a unique opportunity to enjoy a packed programme of musical events such as concerts, recitals, conferences, lectures, workshops and exhibitions, all of which are related to the guitar.

Ernest Hemingway International Marlin Fishing Tournament
The Hemingway International Nautical Club hosts this annual fishing tournament which sees keen fishermen from across the world compete to catch the largest fish.

International Golden Boleros Festival
Cuban boleros are their version of a love song, although many are fairly melancholic. The International Golden Boleros Festival takes place every year in the Hotel Nacional de Cuba and other venues in Havana and showcases the finest songs from that year, as well as hosting performances of Cuba’s most-loved Boleros.

Fiesta del Fuego Santiago de Cuba
The week-long street party takes place in Santiago, which is on Cuba's east coast. The beaches are alive with the sound of music and people spend all night dancing on the golden sands. The festival is essentially a celebration of Caribbean culture and sees local chefs cook up a range of delights as well as bands performing their songs and all-night parties taking place.

Havana Carnival
This popular carnival takes place every weekend throughout July and August. Expect lots of music and dancing as well as processions, outrageous outfits, fireworks, beer, rum and masses of fun.

Havana Ballet Festival
The Havana Ballet Festival was first held in 1960 and has taken place bi-annually ever since. This has ensured its position as one of the most established events of its kind in the world. The city becomes host to a number of national and international ballet stars who perform for mesmerised audiences.

FIHAV; Havana's International Fair.
FIHAV is the most important expositions for trade in Cuba. Often, over 1,237 exhibitors representing over 40 countries can be seen. Crowds of over 100,000 visitors are attracted, who include high ranking officials from the Cuban government, retailers, restaurateurs, wholesalers and importers. The fair has helped to put Cuban products on the map.

Parrandas: This annual traditional sees celebrations in the neighbouring towns of Vueltas and Camajuani. Festivities are known to last all night and see both towns create a float which are then paraded down the centre between each town. It is held on the last Saturday of every year and is exclusively dedicated to having fun.

Jazz Plaza Festival
This festival is organised every other year by the world-famous Cuban jazz musician Chucho Valdes. The festival hosts performances by a number of Cuban and foreign jazz musicians at several locations in Havana.

New Latin American Film Festival
This popular festival showcases hundreds of fiction, documentary, animated and short films in over a dozen theatres throughout December. Since its inception in 1979, the festival’s primary object has always been to showcase films that enrich Latin American and Caribbean cultural heritage and identity.

Liberation Day 1 January
Victory of Armed Forces 2 January
Labour Day 1 May
Independence Day 20 May
Days of Rebelliousness 25 to 27 July
Anniversary of the beginning of the War of Independence in 1868 10 October Christmas Day 25 December