Cobbled streets peppered with beautiful historic architecture, some of the finest 1950’s motor cars parked along the pavements and warm air carrying the city buzz of Caribbean music and cigar smoke; there are many things which add to the unparalleled charm of Havana.
Located on the north coast of Cuba alongside a magnificent deep-sea bay, this famous tropical city is the largest of the Caribbean region – and it’s a hot spot for tourists wanting to experience the Cuban spirit. While it’s always a good time to visit Havana, this year provides a unique opportunity for those eager to soak up the culture of the capital, as on 16th November 2024 the city officially celebrates its 505th anniversary.
What celebrations take place in the city?
To celebrate this milestone, a diverse campaign of events and celebrations will commence throughout the year, dividing into three phases. The first ran from 9th April until 26th July, the second is currency underway and ran from 27th July to 16 November, while the final phase begins on 17th November and concludes on 8th January 2025.
This unique opportunity to visit the city serves up a host of exciting celebrations of history and culture for locals and travellers alike to revel in the beauty of the traditions this Caribbean Island carries – under the motto “Havana lives in me”.
Indulge all your senses – and scribble the dates on your calendars – with a multitude of cultural and recreational activities and sports events taking place, including Cuban Culture Day from 9-20th October as well as Havana’s Mozart festival, filling the tropical breeze with classical music.
Between July and August, you can explore the streets of “Wonder City” through the Rutas and Andares Project, which includes guided tours to museums, walks, thematic routes, virtual tours and workshops. You can celebrate the birth dates of the country’s top personalities and figures of historical and cultural significance, as well as visit the opening of new exhibitions within the city’s museums on International Museum Day. Now that’s one for the history buffs!
If you’re wondering, Havana is one of the seven cities to receive the apt title of “Wonder City” in 2017. In celebration of this, every year on 16th November (the date the city was initially founded), many people come together to visit El Templete de Havana to perform the ritual of going around the Ceiba tree three times, a time of togetherness and celebration.
To add to the year’s upcoming festivities, the capital also has its sights set on the world-famous Guinness Book of Records, as during the month of October the festival hosts the large casino wheel; a choreography of salsa dances with hundreds of coordinated pairs! We know who we’re rooting for…
There is no better time to truly soak up the rich history, culture and beauty of Havana than losing yourself in the celebrations of its very special 505th anniversary. After all, what better time to visit than during a celebration that will go down in history?
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