Winter is one of the best times of year to visit Cuba; it’s when the tropical isle boasts a wonderfully warm climate, the mood is relaxed, and the upcoming festivities mean only one thing – it’s party time!
That’s right, when it comes to the country’s festivities, New Year’s Eve is one of the most celebrated events in the calendar (even more so than Christmas) where thousands of locals and tourists alike gather at the Cathedral Plaza in Old Havana for a night of dancing, rum drinking, dazzling lights, and delicious food.
Celebrating New Year in Cuba
Many locals celebrate New Year in Cuba as the anniversary of the Cuban Revolution, when in 1959, Castro victoriously marched into Havana; while others simply celebrate the birth of a new year with friends and family – but whatever the reason, one thing you need to know about Cuba is that there’s always cause for a party! No matter your political persuasion or beliefs, it’s a date where everybody comes together – and we’re totally here for it.
Wander the atmospheric streets and you’ll see families roasting pigs on spits, pass buzzing plaza squares oozing with salsa dancers, dodge locals hauling water off balconies (more on this later), and admire locals simply pulling up a chair to people watch outside their front door.
To see how other cultures celebrate this familiar time of year is something quite special, and if you’re someone that likes to do as the locals do “when in Rome” (or should we say, Cuba) then it’s a fantastic time to experience a few unique traditions.
The Food at New Year
When it comes to festive celebrations in Cuba, you can bet your bottom dollar it’ll revolve around food. But we’re not just talking about a few polite nibbles, no, we’re talking full-on authentic, homemade, family feasts – and at Christmas and New Year this means pork. Preparations are in full swing during the lead up to New Year in Cuba, with cheerful locals joining the hustle and bustle of the market stalls to shop for their party ingredients (often consisting of pork, black beans, bananas, cassava bread, grapes, and of course rum).
It’s not unusual to find an entire roast pork (plus the rotating spit-rod, too) on the menu at large family gatherings, which you can experience at barbeques, restaurants, paladares, and family homes for a traditional New Year’s Eve dinner – which you may well bag an invite to if you’re staying at a “casa particular”. This kinda business generally takes all day to prepare, so you’ll often see families taking it in turns to spin the spit rod while drinking or smoking cigars.
Throwing Water Off Balconies
It may not be Cuba’s wet season (which runs from May to November, FYI) but it’ll be wise to wear a raincoat if you’re walking through the cobbled streets of Havana on New Year’s Eve! One of the country’s more surprising traditions is to throw buckets of dirty water out of windows and off balconies onto the street below. This rather dramatic action represents the flushing out of negativity or bad omens throughout the year, in order to start afresh, come January 1st.
You know how the saying goes, out with the old…
Eating 12 Grapes
It sounds pretty specific, doesn’t it? But for New Year in Cuba, eating 12 grapes at the stroke of Midnight is all part and parcel of the celebrations. You see, the grapes represent each of the 12 months of the New Year, and with every grape you eat, you must make a wish. This brings hope that the new year will be a positive one – plus, with a glass of sidra (another NYE must) it makes for a rather tasty post-dinner snack.
Watch The Fireworks
Want a little sparkle? Head to the beating heart of Old Havana and you’ll discover a handful of authentic restaurants and bars where you can indulge in a special occasion dinner – such as La Guarida and San Cristóbal – paired with live music and performances. Once the clock strikes Midnight, you’ll hear 21 salutes shot from the cannons at San Carlos de la Cabana Fortress across the bay, which marks another anniversary of the Cuban Revolution. Shortly after, the firework show begins – a spectacular display of colours dominates the night sky and can be admired from the capital’s popular piazzas or terraces.
What better way is there to ring in the new year than with fireworks?!
Take Your Suitcase for a Spin
Wondering why the locals are dragging their suitcases along the cobbles of an evening? They’re not all walking to the airport in unison, if that’s what you were thinking – because that would just be weird, right? What they’re actually doing is welcoming good luck for their future travels by walking their suitcases around the block. You see, not weird at all….
So, if you’re planning a splash of winter sun and want to double up on the festive cheer too, plan your Love Cuba holidays New Year.
Please don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team of Cuba specialists if you’d like us to help ensure you have a New Year’s Eve celebration to remember.
0207 071 3636enquiries@lovecuba.com
