v2.webp){kind=logo}
- Pilgrimage to Loma de la Cruz — The original romería: locals and visitors make the climb to the hilltop for a mix of ritual, music and panoramic views of Holguín. It’s where the festival’s sacred roots meet a big, sweaty group hug — expect drums, offerings, and a sense that everyone’s celebrating the same thing in different ways.
- Comparsas and street parades — Colorful, loud, and impossible to stand still during. These processions bring together traditional costume, masked characters, and community groups; they’re as much about watching as joining in. What makes them special is how spontaneous they feel — the line between performer and spectator blurs fast.
- Live music across every square — From trova and son to rumba and Afro-Cuban ensembles, music spills out of plazas, cafés and casas
- Pilgrimage to Loma de la Cruz — The original romería: locals and visitors make the climb to the hilltop for a mix of ritual, music and panoramic views of Holguín. It’s where the festival’s sacred roots meet a big, sweaty group hug — expect drums, offerings, and a sense that everyone’s celebrating the same thing in different ways.
- Comparsas and street parades — Colorful, loud, and impossible to stand still during. These processions bring together traditional costume, masked characters, and community groups; they’re as much about watching as joining in. What makes them special is how spontaneous they feel — the line between performer and spectator blurs fast.
- Live music across every square — From trova and son to rumba and Afro-Cuban ensembles, music spills out of plazas, cafés and casas de la trova. The standout thing: impromptu jam sessions where pro musicians and curious travelers trade solos and stories. (Personal favorite — nothing beats catching a midnight rumba under string lights.)
- Visual-arts circuit and artisan fair — Galleries pop up in unusual spaces: courtyards, workshops, even public squares. You’ll find contemporary paintings, folk sculpture, and an artisan market where you can haggle for hand-made goods. It’s a great way to see Cuba’s creative side up close and chat with the artists.
- Workshops, poetry nights and cultural exchanges — Film screenings, theater bites, poetry slams and hands-on workshops run alongside the parties. These events give the festival depth — you can dance until dawn, then spend a morning in a drum workshop or a poetry circle and actually learn something from locals and visiting artists.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.
Best Backpacking
.jpg)
Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.