2025 Cuba Calendar - Full List of Public Holidays, Observances: Dates and Celebrations
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An Overview of Cuba Holidays
A captivating island that has grown in popularity in recent years thanks to its wonderful combination of cultural traditions, interesting history, natural attractions, pleasant climate, and powdery white sand beaches. Havana, Cuba's capital and a UNESCO World Heritage site, is an absolute must-see on any Cuban vacation.
Traveling to Cuba is like no other vacation spot on Earth because it combines the best of the Caribbean—sun, sea, and sand—with the Latin American spirit, rhythm, and history.
An excursion to Cuba will be an experience for the senses, thanks to the country's fascinating past, vibrant culture (including music, dance, and literature), and beautiful scenery (including verdant valleys, majestic mountains, and immaculate beaches).
See the beautiful beaches that dot the coast and immerse yourself in the history of Havana, one of the best-preserved colonial capitals in the area. On the mainland, you'll find a captivating array of picturesque mountains, bustling sugar cane fields, and colorful casas dotting the landscape.
Customers who have visited Cuba after January 12, 2021, will not be eligible to use the ESTA Visa Waiver Program to enter the United States under the new classification system until further notice.
Learn more: Can Americans Travel to Cuba Today?
Festivities & National Commemorative Days in Cuba
December 25th and 31st have also been designated as holidays, in addition to January 2nd, July 25th, and 26th. Other days may be designated as national remembrance days and holidays by the law.
Work activities are suspended during national remembrance days and holidays, with the exception of industries that involve a continuous production process and other urgent and non-delayable tasks and works. This encompasses transportation, healthcare and hospital services, pharmacies, funeral homes, cemeteries, fuel stores, lodging services, tourist centers, and other legally permitted entities.
As specified by the relevant national bodies, agencies, and entities, the operating hours of restaurants, coffee shops, public shows, grocery stores, and other food-related activities during the holidays.
May 1st and October 10th - the period that corresponds to the holidays that coincide with Sunday that are transferable to the Monday immediately following, in any case.
Each year, the following ephemerides are marked with official celebration:
• January 28: Birth of José Martí Pérez, National Hero
• February 24: Grito de Baire (Declaration of Baire)
• March 8: International Women's Day
• March 13: Revolutionary Attack on the Presidential Palace
• April 16: Militia Man Day
• April 19: Victory of Playa Girón
• May 17: Agrarian Reform and Farmer´s Day
• July 30: The Death in Combat of Frank País García, Day of the Martyrs of the Revolution
• August 12: People's Victory over the Tyranny of Gerardo Machado
• October 6: Day of Victims of State Terrorism
• October 8: Death in Combat of Commander Ernesto Ché Guevara de la Serna, Heroic Guerrilla Man Day
• October 28: Disappearance of Commander Camilo Cienfuegos Gorriarán
• November 27: Medical Students' Execution, Day of Student Mourning
• December 2: Landing of Expeditionary Men Aboard the Granma Yacht, Day of the Revolutionary Armed Forces
• December 7: Death in Combat of Lieutenant General Antonio Maceo Grajales, Day of the People who Fell in Combat in our Wars of Independence and in the Internationalist Struggles of Our People.
Public Holidays, Observances in Cuba
Triumph of the Liberation - Wednesday, January 1, 2025
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| Triumph of the Cuban Revolution is held on January 1 |
In addition to New Year's Day, January 1st is marked in Cuba as the Triumph of the Liberation holiday.
"Triunfo de la Revolucion," also known as Liberation Day, commemorates the overthrow of President Batista on January 1, 1959.
It is a public holiday on Liberation Day. The majority of businesses and schools are closed, and most people have the day off.
Victory of Armed Forces Day - Thursday, January 2, 2025
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| Victory of Armed Forces Day in Cuba is held on January 2 |
It is a public holiday on Victory Day. The majority of businesses and schools are closed, and most people have the day off.
'Victory of Fidel Castro' or 'Victory of the Armed Forces' (Día de Victoria de las Fuerzas Armadas) are other names for it. On this day, we pay tribute to the Cuban armed forces, who have been defending the island since 1959.
Liberation Day falls on January 1st, and Victory Day always follows, giving rise to a two-day holiday break that falls on the first of January.
Epiphany - Monday, January 6, 2025
Every year on January 6, Christians celebrate the Christian holiday of Epiphany. It honors two occasions that are mentioned in the Bible: Jesus' baptism and the visit of the three wise men to the infant Jesus.
José Martí's Birthday Memorial - Tuesday, January 28, 2025
José Martí's Birthday Memorial is a observance in Cuba
Daylight Saving Time starts - Sunday, March 9, 2025
Daylight Saving Time starts in Cuba
March Equinox - Thursday, March 20, 2025
March Equinox in Cuba (Havana)
Palm Sunday - Sunday, April 13, 2025
Palm Sunday is a Christian feast that commemorates Jesus Christ’s entry into Jerusalem. It is also the start of Holy Week.
Maundy Thursday - Thursday, April 17, 2025
Maundy Thursday is a Christian observance on the Thursday during Holy Week. It is the day before Good Friday.
Good Friday - Friday, April 18, 2025
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| Good Friday |
Two days prior to Easter Sunday, Christians around the world observe Good Friday.
On the Friday before Easter, many nations observe Good Friday as a national holiday. The day honors the death and crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
In certain nations that follow the Orthodox calendar, Good Friday may fall on a different day.
 Good Friday (April 2): Date, History, Significance, Facts |
Labor Day / May Day - Thursday, May 1, 2025
It is most frequently connected to celebrating the accomplishments of the labor movement. Over 80 countries observe the holiday, which is also known as International Worker's Day or May Day, as public holidays.
Mother's Day - Sunday, May 11, 2025
Mother’s Day celebrates the achievements and efforts of mothers and mother figures.
 Mother's Day: Best Wishes, Quotes and Sweet Messages |
Independence Day - Tuesday, May 20, 2025
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| Independence Day in Cuba |
Cuba observes Independence Day, a public holiday, on October 10.
Known also as the Anniversary of the War of Independence's Start, the "Dia de la Independencia" commemorates the day in 1868 when Cuba began its fight for independence from Spain.
Joseph, the brother of Napoleon, became King of Spain at the beginning of the nineteenth century as a result of the European Peninsular Wars. These events invigorated the independence movement in numerous Spanish colonies in South and Central America, as the colonists felt no loyalty to this new regime.
Although Cuba remained a Spanish colony, as the century went on, the country's desire for independence grew stronger and more people became dissatisfied with what they perceived to be a corrupt and oppressive Spanish government.
Carlos Manuel de Céspedes, the owner of a prosperous sugar mill, and his supporters declared independence on October 10, 1868. This led to the Ten Year's War, which came to be known as the Grito de Yara ("Cry of Yara").
Longer term, this first war of independence turned out to be a turning point in Cuba's fight for independence from Spain, which ultimately occurred in December 1898, even though it ended with the island nation's surrender to the Spanish in May 1878.
It is also believed that the events of October 1868 had a direct influence on Cuba's decision to outlaw slavery in 1886.
June Solstice - Saturday, June 21, 2025
June Solstice in Cuba (Havana)
Revolution Anniversary - Friday, July 25, 2025
Cuba will celebrate a three-day public holiday from July 25 to July 27.
The July 26 holiday is called "National Rebellion Day" (Spanish: Día de la Rebeldía Nacional), while the July 25 and July 27 holidays are called "Commemoration of the Assault on Moncada" (Spanish: Conmemoración del Asalto a Moncada).
The events of 1953, when Fidel Castro overran the Moncada army garrison in Santiago de Cuba, are remembered on these holidays.
Republic Day is observed as a public holiday. The majority of businesses and schools are closed, and most people have the day off.
Day of the Rebellion - Saturday, July 26, 2025
Day of the Rebellion is a public holiday. It is a day off for the general population, and schools and most businesses are closed.
Revolution Anniversary Celebration - Sunday, July 27, 2025
Revolution Anniversary Celebration is a national holiday in Cuba.
September Equinox - Monday, September 22, 2025
September Equinox in Cuba (Havana)
Beginning of the War of Independence - Friday, October 10, 2025
The day that Cuba's War of Independence began is a national holiday.
The "Dia de la Independencia," which is also known as the Anniversary of the Start of the War of Independence, marks the beginning of Cuba's fight for independence from Spain in 1868.
During the Peninsular Wars in Europe at the beginning of the 1800s, Napoleon's brother Joseph became King of Spain. These events made people in many Spanish colonies in South and Central America want to break away from the new government because they didn't trust it.
Cuba stayed loyal to Spain, but as the century went on, people's desire for independence didn't fade, and they grew more angry at the Spanish government, which they saw as corrupt and harsh.
On October 10, 1868, Carlos Manuel de Céspedes, a wealthy sugar mill owner, and friends and family declared independence. It was called the "Cry of Yara" and it was the start of the Ten Year's War.
Cuba gave up its first war of independence and gave in to the Spanish in May 1878. However, this event was a turning point in Cuba's long fight for independence from Spain, which was finally achieved in December 1898.
Some people also think that the events of October 1868 directly led to the end of slavery in Cuba in 1886.
Daylight Saving Time ends - Sunday, November 2, 2025
Daylight Saving Time ends in Cuba
December Solstice - Sunday, December 21, 2025
December Solstice in Cuba (Havana)
Christmas Day - Thursday, December 25, 2025
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| Christmas Day |
On Christmas Day, people remember the birth of Jesus, which is said to have happened on December 25, 1 BC. A lot of places around the world will be closed on December 25. If December 25 falls on a weekend, a holiday can be held on a nearby weekday instead.
Christmas Day is a holiday for everyone. People in general have the day off, and most schools and businesses are closed.
New Year's Eve - Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Along with December 31, which is the last day of the year, December 31 is also New Year's Eve.
In places that still use the Julian Calendar, January 13 is New Year's Eve.
Around the world, people traditionally celebrate New Year's Eve with fireworks at 00:00 in their local time zones.
On New Year's Eve, everyone is off. People in general have the day off, and most schools and businesses are closed.
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