Vinales Events, Things to Do and Festivals 2014 / 2015

(Vinales, Pinar del Rio, Cuba)

Vinales itself doesn't hold any special festivals other than the traditional Cuban holidays. However, if you head south to the much larger city of Pinar del Rio, there are significantly more events on offer, with things to do throughout the year.

All of Cuba's traditional festivals are celebrated in the Pinar del Rio province, but you may have to travel a little to get to where the action is. In Vinales, look out for annual International Labour Day (Dia de los Trabajadores) festivities in May, as well as the different Independence Day celebrations in both May and October.

Vinales Calendar of Festivals and Events 2014 / 2015

January

• Triumph of the Revolution (Triunfo de la Revolución) - January 1st, Liberation Day, a public holiday all over Cuba
• Premio Casa de las Americas - late January, this prestigious literary conference draws authors of all genres from Latin America to Havana

February

• Festival de Musica Antigua Esteban Salas - early February, each year musicians celebrate the musical genius of Cuban composer Esteban Salas I Old Havana

March

• Festival Internacional de la Trova Pepe Sanchez - mid March, the father of Cuban Trova music, Pepe Sanchez, is honoured in this festive event in Santiago de Cuba
• Encuentro Internacional de Academias de Ballet - late March, ballet companies from around Cuba and the world join together in Havana to perform to the public

April

• Festival Internacional de Cine Pobre - late April, focusing on low-budget filmmaking, this gathering in Gibara showcases some of the most creative cinematic work in Cuba

May

• International Labour Day (Dia de los Trabajadores) - May 1st, a public holiday all over Cuba
• Mayo Teatral - early May, Cuba's most celebrated theatre troupes come together to give workshops and performances at locations all across the country
• Romerias de Mayo - early May, religion and Cuban culture merge in this amazing display of faith dating back to colonial times in the town of Holgiun
• Independence Day - celebrated throughout Cuba, marking May 20th 1902, the day when the Spanish conceded rule over the island and the Cuban Republic was born. This day should not be confused with the Communist Revolution festivities

June

• Festival Rock Atenas - early June, rock bands from across Cuba jam for several days in the town of Matanzas

July

• Festival del Caribe - early July, every element of Caribbean culture is on display at this amazing and hugely popular annual celebration in Santiago de Cuba
• Carnaval de Santiago de Cuba - dating back to the 17th century, this religious festival and street party is one of the most colourful annual events in Cuba
• Day Before the Commemoration of the Assault of the Moncada Barracks - July 25th, a national Cuba holiday
• Commemoration of the Assault of the Moncada Barracks - July 26th, also known as the 'Day of the National Rebelliousness', a national Cuba holiday
• Day after the Commemoration of the Assault of the Moncada Barracks - July 27th, a national Cuba holiday

August

• Festival Internacional de Rap - the Alamar suburb of Havana becomes centre stage for the island's best rap / hip-hop artists at this important international music fest

September

• Fiesta de la Origines - mid-September, the French influence on Cuban culture is celebrated in this annual Matanzas fiesta

October

• Independence Day (Dia de la Independencia) - October 10th, remembering this famous day in 1868, when the Independence War against the Spanish was started
• Festival Internacional Matamoros Son - one of the biggest names in Cuban music is honoured in this Santiago de Cuba event, featuring a major dance competition and lots of live music

November

• Festival Internacional de Ballet de la Habana - early November, Cuba's premier ballet event in Havana features the finest dancers on the island in some of the world's most highly regarded plays
• Jo Jazz - late November, Young Jazz is the theme of this hot jazz fest held in Havana each autumn
• Festival Internacional Jazz Plaza - late November / early December, Cuba's top jazz event draws a wealth of talent to perform for several days at venues around Havana

December

• Charangas de Bejucal - late December, the tradition of slaves and religion are at the heart of this centuries-old get-together. Expect dance, song and cultural identity
• Christmas (Navidad) - December 25th, religious celebrations arrive in Cuba, although this is a fairly new addition to the calendar of Cuban holidays, since until recently, religion was actually banned