Cuba (CU)
Cuba is a unique socialist island nation of 11 million people in the Caribbean — a country of vintage American cars, world-famous cigars, Havana salsa, colonial architecture, and extraordinary natural beauty.
Capital: Havana
Region: Americas
Language: Spanish
Currency: CUP ($)
Cost of living: Very affordable (index 20)
Emergency: 106
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Public Holidays 2026
14 holidays in Cuba. Some may vary by region.
January 2026
Thu 1
New Year's Day / Triumph of the Revolution Public Holiday
Año Nuevo / Triunfo de la Revolución
Celebrates both the New Year and Castro's revolution taking power on 1 January 1959. Major national celebration.
Fri 2
Victory of Armed Forces Day Public Holiday
Día de las FFAA
Second day of the New Year / Revolution holiday. Both January 1 and 2 are official holidays.
Wed 28
José Martí Birthday Optional
Natalicio de José Martí
Commemorates Cuba's national hero and poet José Martí (born 1853). Schools hold events; not a paid public holiday.
March 2026
Sun 8
International Women's Day Optional
Día Internacional de la Mujer
Widely celebrated across Cuba; not a public holiday but significant social event.
April 2026
Fri 3
Good Friday Public Holiday
Viernes Santo
Good Friday — public holiday in Cuba since 1997, restored by Fidel Castro at the request of Pope John Paul II before his 1998 visit. Widely observed.
Sun 19
Bay of Pigs Victory Optional
Día de la Victoria de Playa Girón
Marks the 1961 defeat of the US-backed Bay of Pigs invasion. Not a full public holiday but commemorated with events.
May 2026
Fri 1
International Workers Day Public Holiday
Día Internacional de los Trabajadores
Labour Day. Mass rallies in Havana's Plaza de la Revolución. One of the biggest political events of the Cuban calendar.
July 2026
Sat 25
National Rebellion Day (Eve) Public Holiday
Víspera del 26 de Julio
Day before the main celebration. Three-day holiday period begins.
Sun 26
National Rebellion Day Public Holiday
Día de la Rebeldía Nacional
Commemorates the 1953 attack on the Moncada Barracks led by Fidel Castro. Central event rotates between provinces each year.
Mon 27
National Rebellion Day (Continuation) Public Holiday
Continuación del 26 de Julio
Third day of the July 26 holiday period.
October 2026
Sat 10
Independence Day (Grito de Yara) Public Holiday
Día de la Independencia / Inicio de las Guerras de Independencia
Commemorates the start of Cuba's first war of independence in 1868 (El Grito de Yara). Also known as the Day of the Ten Years' War.
Thu 8
Death of Che Guevara Optional
Caída del Guerrillero Heroico
Commemorates Ernesto "Che" Guevara's death in Bolivia in 1967. Marked with ceremonies, especially in Santa Clara where his remains rest.
December 2026
Fri 25
Christmas Day Public Holiday
Navidad
Restored as a public holiday in 1997 at the request of Pope John Paul II before his 1998 visit. Widely celebrated with family gatherings and Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) being the main event.
Thu 31
New Year's Eve Optional
Nochevieja / Fin de Año
Not an official public holiday but universally celebrated with fireworks, family meals, and parties across Cuba.
Note: Some holidays in Cuba apply only to specific regions or states. Check local regulations for your area.