Public Holidays in Cuba
Statutory public holidays in Cuba, with the dates that give people the day off, how the calendar is set, and what it means for travel, cities and culture.
Cuba at a glance
Cuba’s public holidays mark the Revolution’s anniversaries, including Liberation Day on 1 January and the Moncada barracks attack on 26 July.
Several dates move with Easter, and Easter Friday was restored as a public holiday in recent years.
Cuba public holidays 2026
Cuba has 10 public holidays in 2026 – the statutory days off. The table below lists those public holidays; observances and other non-statutory dates are not part of the total.
| Holiday | Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Liberation Day | Jan 1Thu | National |
| Victory Day | Jan 2Fri | National |
| Good Friday | Apr 3Fri | National |
| International Workers' Day | May 1Fri | National |
| Commemoration of the Assault of the Moncada garrison | Jul 25Sat | National |
| Day of the National Rebellion | Jul 26Sun | National |
| Commemoration of the Assault of the Moncada garrison | Jul 27Mon | National |
| Independence Day | Oct 10Sat | National |
| Christmas Day | Dec 25Fri | National |
| New Year's Eve | Dec 31Thu | National |
Showing 10 of 10 public holidays for 2026.
Major cities in Cuba
The urban centres that anchor most trips to Cuba.
Havana
A capital of colonnaded streets, classic cars and a fort-guarded harbour.
Santiago de Cuba
The second city, a Caribbean melting pot of music and revolution.
Trinidad
A preserved colonial town of cobbled streets and pastel houses.
Camaguey
A city of a maze-like old centre, churches and a pottery tradition.
Cienfuegos
A French-planned city on a bay, of neoclassical facades and a seawall.
Viñales
A tobacco town in a valley of limestone mogotes and red soil.
Top attractions in Cuba
The places that draw most visitors to Cuba.
Old Havana
A dense colonial core of plazas, fortresses and baroque churches.
Vinales Valley
A karst valley of mogotes, tobacco barns and cave systems.
Trinidad
A sugar-wealth town of cobbles, pastel houses and a bell tower.
Varadero
A long peninsula of white sand and resort hotels on the north coast.
Cienfuegos
A French-colonial city around a sheltered bay, with a wide promenade.
Che Guevara Mausoleum
A memorial and museum to the revolutionary in Santa Clara.
Festivals, food and getting around Cuba
What the calendar looks like on the ground, and how to move through the country around it.
Festivals behind the holidays
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Liberation Day
Falls on Jan 1
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Victory Day
Falls on Jan 2
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Epiphany
Falls on Jan 6
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José Martí's Birthday Memorial
Falls on Jan 28
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Daylight Saving Time starts
Falls on Mar 8
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March Equinox
Falls on Mar 20
Food & drink
Getting around
Viazul buses serve tourists reliably; classic cars and colectivos fill the gaps, and fuel supply varies.
Travelling around Cuba’s holidays
What the dates mean once you are there.
Book around the peaks
Transport and hotels in Cuba tighten around major holidays; reserve early for the busiest weeks.
Check opening hours
Museums, banks and government offices usually close on statutory holidays, and often on the nearest Monday.
Carry local currency
Small vendors and rural businesses frequently take cash only, especially on holidays when banks are shut.
Expect crowded transport
Long weekends produce the year's heaviest road, rail and air traffic. Build in extra travel time.
Confirm the official list
Cuba's holiday dates are confirmed by government announcement; check the year page for the final arrangement.
Plan the long weekends
Pairing a holiday with adjacent weekends gives the longest breaks of the year — and the busiest.
Cuba public holidays: common questions
How many public holidays does Cuba have?
Cuba has 10 public holidays in 2026, counting every date typed National, Substitute or Bank in our calendar. Observances, religious dates and regional holidays are listed separately and left out of the total, because they are not days off across the whole country.
Where can I find the full 2026 list?
The complete 2026 calendar for Cuba is on the year page, with every recorded date in order.
Are Cuba's public holidays paid?
Statutory national holidays are generally paid leave for employees. Observances and commemorative days are usually not.
Do holidays move if they fall on a weekend?
Where a holiday falls on a weekend, Cuba typically observes it on the nearest weekday. Check the year page for the confirmed arrangement.
Are there regional holidays in Cuba?
Some holidays are observed only in certain regions or by certain communities. The year page lists what applies nationally.
Which years are covered for Cuba?
Calendars are published for 2026, 2025.
School holidays in Cuba
School term dates in Cuba
School calendar data last updated 10 Sep 2026. Dates come from education ministries and local education authorities; always re-check with the school before booking travel.