| As anyone who has been lucky enough to go on | | | | potentially even bigger and better. The whole |
| holiday in Cuba will probably tell you, the | | | | city seems to turn into one giant conga line |
| Cubans really know how to throw a party! The | | | | in July each year, and the carnival in this |
| island is a vibrant centre of dance, art and | | | | city attracts the biggest crowd on the |
| music, and the blend of Spanish and Caribbean | | | | island. The street parties go on all night, |
| cultures has given rise to a number of | | | | and music, dance, traditional Cuban food and |
| international festivals and annual carnivals | | | | spectacular street displays are all there to |
| that are a real treat for visitors and locals | | | | be enjoyed by visitors on their Cuban |
| alike. | | | | holidays. |
| | | | |
| There are numerous great events going on | | | | Las Parrandas de Remedios |
| throughout the year in Cuba; holidays to the | | | | |
| island will usually coincide with a festival | | | | Those who go on Cuba holidays at Christmas |
| or two if you are lucky. But there are some | | | | are rewarded with a unique experience - Las |
| events that it is well worth planning your | | | | Parrandas de Remedios, a festival on the 24th |
| holiday in Cuba around: here are five of the | | | | of December that has been running for almost |
| biggest and best... | | | | 200 years. Legend goes that a priest in 19th |
| | | | century Remedios sent children into the |
| International Jazz Festival | | | | streets of the city to make as much noise as |
| | | | they could and drive the locals to mass. The |
| There are plenty of jazz festivals that you | | | | residents took it as a cue to take to the |
| can go to while on holiday in Cuba, but the | | | | streets and have a good time! Nowadays the |
| biggest is the International Jazz Festival, | | | | festival takes the form of a "parrandas", or |
| held every February in Havana. Starting out | | | | competition between the two neighbourhoods of |
| as a little local event at the Casa de la | | | | El Carmen and San Salvador. Each |
| Cultura de Plaza in 1978, the festival now | | | | neighbourhood competes to construct the most |
| holds events in theatres and nightclubs all | | | | spectacular float, surrounded by lanterns and |
| over Havana, with the famed Chucho Valdes as | | | | kites, and on the evening of Christmas Eve |
| its artistic director. | | | | the two sides go head to head in a parade, |
| | | | accompanied by a spectacular fireworks |
| Havana Carnival | | | | display. |
| | | | |
| July is Carnival season in Cuba; holidays to | | | | International Havana Ballet Festival |
| the island in this month are very popular for | | | | |
| just this reason. Carnivals in Cuba mean | | | | Cuba may be more famous for Salsa and Mambo |
| street parties, floats, processions, dancing, | | | | than for ballet, but the International Havana |
| music, and plenty of Cuban rum! Every | | | | Ballet Festival, which runs from the 24th of |
| neighbourhood in Havana has its own Carnival | | | | October to the 6th of November every two |
| float and practices for months to perfect | | | | years, is a major international event for |
| their routine, and visitors to the island at | | | | ballet lovers. The best companies come from |
| this time of year are treated to a riot of | | | | all over the world to perform at the Great |
| colour, sound and all night parties. | | | | Theatre of Havana, which has seen almost 200 |
| | | | world premieres since the festival began in |
| Santiago de Cuba Carnival | | | | 1960. If you have any interest at all in |
| | | | ballet, a Cuban holiday at this time of year |
| The Carnival in Havana is a massive event, | | | | is a must. |
| but its counterpart in Santiago de Cuba is | | | | |