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Havana Events
International Ballet Festival of Havana
One of the biggest and best-loved events of its kind in the country, the International Ballet Festival of Havana attracts some of the top dancers from around the world who perform along with artists from the country's own National Ballet of Cuba. The first International Ballet Festival of Havana was held in 1960 and became a biennial event from 1974. To this day, the event continues to be the most prestigious ballet festival in Cuba and one of the most anticipated globally.
Venue: Various venues in Havana.Website: http://www.festivalballethabana.cult.cu
Festival Internacional del Nuevo Cine Latinoamericano
Known informally as the 'Havana Film Festival,' this popular event first held in 1979, happens the first week of December. Top films from Latin America are screened in various Havana cinemas all day, every day throughout the week. Works from other parts of the world are also shown in non-competitive categories. The festival focuses on new cinema, with up-and-coming directors being given a platform to showcase their movies to a big audience and potential distributors. Festival passes are available at the Hotel Nacional, HQ for the event and where many a movie star has been sighted over the years.
Venue: Various cinemas in Havana.Website: http://www.habanafilmfestival.com
Festival Jazz Plaza
Havana's international jazz festival brings players and fans from all over the world to enjoy some of the best the genre has to offer. Held in different venues around town, the biggest concerts are always at the Teatro Mella, with Chucho Valdés playing the opening gala. Festival passes – which provide entry to all concerts, plus inside information on late-night jams and parties – can be purchased at the Hotel Nacional or Melía Cohiba.
Venue: Various venues.Website: http://www.jazzcuba.com
Feria Internacional del Libro
Havana's annual International Book Fair attracts thousands of Cuban readers during the week-long event to buy and browse books, attend launches and readings and take in night time concerts. All genres from poetry and politics to children's literature and cookbooks are represented and the popularity of the event is testament to Cubans' love for reading. Each year is dedicated to the literature of a different country and many international visitors plan their trip to coincide with the event.
Venue: Parque Histórico Militar El Morro-La Cabaña.Website: http://feriadellibro.cubaliteraria.cu
Festival Habanos
Smokers of rich Cuban tobacco, known to be the world's finest, will enjoy Havana's annual Habanos Cuban Cigar Festival when visitors can discover the workings behind cigar factories and tobacco plantations, try new cigars and attend seminars and workshops. Festival activities include a field trip to Pinar del Río to see the growing process and a closing gala and silent auction with all proceeds going to the Cuban public health system. International stars are known to turn up at this event.
Venue: Various venues.Website: http://www.habanos.com/festivals.aspx?lang=en
Havana Biennial
Founded in 1984, the Havana Biennial is widely acknowledged as the most important meeting place for fine artists from non-western countries, with enthusiastic participation by Cuban artists young and old, in all genres. For the month of May, the vibrant metropolis of Havana is transformed into a sprawling, city-wide exhibition, as both Cuban and international artists take over urban spaces, galleries and cultural institutions. The past several Biennial's have showcased increasingly sophisticated and poignant works by Cuban artists and is one of the best barometers of how Cuba is changing.
Venue: Various venues.Website: http://www.biennialfoundation.org/biennials/havana-biennale/
World Workers Day
An international event celebrating the rights of workers, Havana's 'May Day' gathering is – as one might expect – an enthusiastically, well-attended event. Every 1 May beginning at 730am, hundreds of thousands of workers parade through the Plaza de la Revolución with banners extolling the virtues of the revolution, paper maché models of the tools of their trade (e.g. taxis, cigars, shovels), and musical instruments; in Cuba, work often means play and there's always a conga line or three snaking through the crowd. International visitors attend in droves; see the tourist desk at any hotel or simply march alongside Cuban workers.
Venue: Plaza de la Revolución.International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHOBIT)
A global event celebrating sexual diversity and the rights of all people regardless of orientation, IDAHOBIT, as it's known, has taken on major proportions in Cuba since it was first celebrated in 2008. There are workshops, panels, book launches, rapid HIV tests, concerts throughout the week, culminating in a stellar gala, not to be missed. The big day (17 May) is always kicked off with a queer (and friends) conga from the Malecón to Pabellón Cuba.
Venue: Various venues.Website: http://www.cenesex.org/etiqueta/jornada-cubana-contra-la-homofobia
Havana International Guitar Festival
Held in various venues throughout the city, the biennial Havana International Guitar Festival invites players from all over the world to perform for passionate crowds at this fun event. A number of different styles and genres are performed during the festival and the event closes with a big gala concert. Inspired and founded by legendary Cuban guitar player Leo Brouwer, this event is incredibly popular; tickets usually sell out well in advance of the day of individual performances, so visitors are advised to book early.
Venue: Various venues in Havana.
