Liberation Day
1 January
Celebrating the success of the communist revolution, 1 January is a national holiday and like the rest of Cuba, Santa Clara sees this as a great excuse to party. There are events all over the town – some merging in with the previous night’s New Year's Eve celebrations.
Festival de la Trova Longina
January
This festival takes place in honour of Manual Corona, one of Cuba's famous traditional musicians. Plenty of modern troubadours and famous Cuban musicians play gigs and concerts around town.
Brutal Fest
February and August
This young rock festival hosts both local and international bands for a 10-day tour around the country that hits Santa Clara. It takes place twice a year – once in February (‘Brutal Winter Fest’) and once in August (‘Brutal Summer Fest’) – and is a great chance to see up-and-coming Cuban musicians as well as European bands.
May Day
1 May
1 May is a huge event across Cuba with workers celebrating the country's socialist stance with marches and processions. Although Havana holds the biggest marches, Santa Clara is also a top spot to witness it.
Moncada Day
26 July
Marking the beginning of Cuba's revolution with the unsuccessful storming of the Moncada Barracks, this national holiday is full of street parties and carnival action.