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Winter is one of the best times of the year to visit Cuba; it is when the tropical island boasts a wonderfully mild climate, the mood is cheerful and the upcoming holidays mean only one thing: it's time to party!

New Year's Eve is one of the most celebrated events on the calendar (even more than Christmas) where Havana residents and tourists gather in the Plaza de la Catedral and in the squares of Old Havana for a night of dancing, rum drinking and delicious food.

The same happens if you are in Trinidad, Cienfuegos or in the Viñales Valley or in a beach hotel, New Year's Eve in Cuba is celebrated, always and with what you have!

Many locals celebrate New Year's Eve in Cuba as the anniversary of the Cuban Revolution, when in 1959 Castro marched victoriously into Havana, while others simply celebrate the birth of a new year with friends and family, but whatever the reason, one thing you need to know about Cuba is that there is always a reason to party!

No matter your political beliefs or convictions, it is a date when everyone comes together and we are here for that. Stroll through the evocative streets and you will see families roasting pigs on spits, you will pass through lively squares oozing with salsa dancers, you will dodge locals throwing water from balconies or from their front doors, a symbolic ritual to leave negative things behind.

You can join the locals who simply pull out a chair from their front door to watch people celebrating in the street. Seeing how other cultures celebrate this family time of year is something very special and if you are a person who likes to do as the locals do then it is a fantastic time to try some unique traditions.

Food on New Year's Eve in Cuba

When it comes to festive celebrations in Cuba, you can bet it will revolve around food. But we are not talking about just a few polite appetizers, no, we are talking about authentic, homemade, family feasts, and at Christmas and New Year's this means pork. Preparations are in full swing during the period leading up to New Year's Eve in Cuba, with cheerful locals joining the bustle of market stalls to shop for party ingredients (often consisting of pork, black beans, plantains, cassava bread, grapes and, of course, rum).

It is not unusual to find a whole roast pork (plus the rotating spit) on the menu during large family gatherings, which you can try at barbecues, restaurants, paladares and family homes for a traditional New Year's dinner, to which you might even score an invitation if you stay in a "casa particular". This type of activity typically requires a full day to prepare, so you will often see families taking turns turning the spit while drinking or smoking cigars.

Eating 12 grapes

Sounds rather specific, right? But for New Year's Eve in Cuba, eating 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight is an integral part of the celebrations. You see, the grapes represent each of the 12 months of the New Year and with each grape you eat, you must make a wish. This brings hope that the new year will be positive, and besides, with a glass of sidra (another New Year's must) it becomes a rather tasty after-dinner snack.

Celebrations on New Year's Eve in Cuba

Head to the beating heart of Old Havana and you will discover a handful of authentic restaurants and bars where you can treat yourself to a special occasion dinner, such as La Guarida and San Cristóbal, or the Cabaret Tropicana show or the Hotel Nacional or a special dinner in Plaza de La Catedral always accompanied by live music and performances. Once the clock strikes midnight, you will hear 21 salvos fired from the cannons of the Fortress of San Carlos de la Cabana across the bay, marking another anniversary of the Cuban Revolution.

If you fancy a more formal New Year's Eve in Cuba then you can spend it in one of the hotels in Varadero or in a Cayo where you will enjoy the New Year's Eve dinner in evening dress and then dancing and shows on the beach until morning. Of course, toasts begin in the afternoon because somewhere in the world it is already New Year's!

So, if you are planning a dip into winter sunshine and want to double the holiday cheer as well, plan your vacation with Travelnetcuba and Cubatours for New Year's. Do not hesitate to contact our team of specialists to organize a tailor-made New Year's to remember. Write to us! sales@travelnetcuba.com and you will have your proposal.