Cuba’s capital, Havana, hosts numerous festivals and celebrations each year. From international music concerts to film festivals, the city has an abundance of events to visit. This is why the Havana Carnival is perhaps its most dazzling event.
What is the Havana Carnival?
The second largest carnival in Cuba, after the one that takes place in Santiago de Cuba, is the Havana Carnival. The famous Malecón promenade becomes a stage for several consecutive weekends when all the glitter and feathers of the colourful costumes come to life along the traditional rhythms of Cuban music. The beats of conga or salsa are to be heard everywhere throughout the capital during these weekends in July and August.
Parades are not the only attraction of the Havana Carnival. There are numerous concerts and dances as well as the so-called Kids Carnival. During the day, the streets are turned into traditional markets with handcrafted products to buy and a variety of snacks and street food to try.
What to expect at Havana Carnival
Street parties and wild dancing should be expected along the Malecón with some huge effigies of celebrities and decorated lamp posts carried by dancers. This important festival celebrates the diversity of Cuban society, respecting the different heritage and traditions of its settlers.
Thousands of tourists and locals come to witness this celebration of life and immerse themselves in the joyful atmosphere. Dozens of groups called comparsas dance the night away. Imaginative floats are displayed, and the prettiest one gets a reward.
One of the distinctive marks of the carnival is the local drum. One can find the old African ritual drum called batá and iyesá, which is usually played during religious celebrations. Other instruments used to create a rhythmic atmosphere are the bembé drums and modern percussion ones.
History of Havana Carnival
This summer carnival originated from the festivals formerly known as the Mamarrachos. They were related to certain dates and religious holidays such as St John’s Day on June 24, St Peter’s Day on June 29, St Anne’s Day on July 26, etc.
The festival is related to the first arrival of African slaves in the 16th century. When slaves would finish their hard work, they would organize private parties. People would disguise themselves using feathers and masks. When slavers allowed these celebrations during the 17th century, groups of Africans and more progressive thinkers carried certain clothing that later lead to the founding of the so-called comparsas groups. Music and instruments were added later, along with activities such as choosing a Carnival King or the best float of the festival.
Visiting Havana
Given that many of the events during the Havana Carnival take place along the Malecón promenade, it is no wonder that this boulevard is one of the capital’s landmarks. This 8 km seafront was built in 1901 by the U.S. government. It is considered one of the most romantic places in the capital and the main gathering spot for locals.
Travelling to Havana for the festival is also a great opportunity to see some of its great UNESCO heritage sites. The whole Old Havana district is declared an important heritage site with 16th and 17th-century buildings and squares. Some of the monuments you should visit are the Gran Teatro, Catedral de San Cristobal, El Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, Plaza Vieja, etc.
Since Cuba is famous for its numerous festivals, which are dedicated to music, art, books, dance, or cigars, the best time to visit would be during your favourite celebration. For instance, the International Book Fair is held annually in Havana, and it usually spans takes place in the days between February and March. The famous Jazz Festival happens here every January, since its foundation in 1979. It’s a six-day feast of great sounds and performances by some of the best musicians in the world.
If you are more into traditional Cuban music and the rhythms of the conga, salsa, or rumba, and you enjoy colourful costumes, then events like Festival de la Trova Longina, Camaquey Carnival, Santiago de Cuba Carnival, or Havana Carnival, which are mostly held during summer – are a better choice. For Havana Biennial, the largest visual arts event in Cuba, visitors should come in April.
Bars like El Floridita or La Bodegita del Medio, where the famous novelist Ernest Hemingway was a regular, should also be on your list.
Imagine putting together a visit to some of the oldest Cuban towns like Trinidad, Cienfuegos, and Santa Clara, renowned for their colonial architecture. One of the earliest celebrations in Cuba, called the Camaguey Carnival, is held in the nation’s third largest city in Central Cuba. It dates back to the beginning of the 18th century and takes place every year on June 24, which is also San Juan Day.
Extend your stay
Given that Cuba is a vast island with more than 5,000 km of coastline, every visit will have something to do with beaches. Coral reefs, turquoise waters, and white sands provide a genuine Caribbean ambience. Varadero is popular among visitors as a tourist heaven with lavish hotels and picturesque landscapes.
On the opposite side of the island lies the former capital Santiago de Cuba, another great place for travellers. Castillo de San Pedro de la Roca del Moro is one of its most popular landmarks, with great views of the sea. It dates back to the 17th century and is also declared a world heritage site by UNESCO as one of the best-preserved Spanish fortresses of the period.
Love Cuba is the UK’s leading Cuba holiday specialist. Click here for more info on Cuba holidays, Multi Centre Cuba Holidays or Tailor Made Cuba Holidays please don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team of Cuba holiday specialists on 0207 071 3636 or email enquiries@lovecuba.com