Spring

April

The Festival Internacional de Percusión (International Percussion Festival, tel. 07/203-8808, percuba [at] mail [dot] com) is held each April.

The prestigious Bienal de la Habana (Havana Biennial, tel. 07/209-6569, www.bienaldelahabana.cu [1]) features artists from more than 50 countries. It is hosted in even-numbered years by the Centro Wilfredo Lam (Calle San Ignacio #22, tel. 07/861-2096, www.cnap.cult.cu [2]).

May

On May 1, head to the Plaza de la Revolución [3] for the Primero de Mayo (May Day Parade) to honor workers. Intended to appear as a spontaneous demonstration of revolutionary loyalty, in reality it is carefully choreographed. While loyalists display genuine enthusiasm, the majority of attendees are bused in and attend for fear of being black-marked by CDRs and party officials at work.

Stooges use loudspeakers to work up the crowd with chants of “¡Viva Fidel!” and “¡Viva Raúl!” Each year’s theme reflects the anti–United States flavor of the day. You’ll be surrounded by as many as 500,000 people waving colorful banners and placards and wearing T-shirts painted with revolutionary slogans.

The Festival Internacional de Guitarra (International Guitar Festival and Contest) is held at the Teatro Roldán in even-numbered years.

The Festival de Danzón (tel. 07/838-3113, promeven [at] uneac [dot] co [dot] cu) celebrates the traditional dance form.