Must-see entertainment in Santiago de Cuba

  • Casa de las Tradiciones

    Santiago de Cuba

    The most discovered 'undiscovered' spot in Santiago still retains its smoke-filled, foot-stomping, front-room feel. Hidden in the genteel Tivolí district,…

  • Iris Jazz Club

    Santiago de Cuba

    When Santiago gets too hot, noisy and agitated, you need a dose of Iris, one of Cuba's suavest and best jazz clubs, where you can sit in a comfy booth…

  • Casa de la Trova

    Santiago de Cuba

    Santiago's shrine to the power of traditional music is still going strong five decades on, continuing to attract big names such as Buena Vista Social Club…

  • Conjunto Folklórico de Oriente

    Santiago de Cuba

    Santiago’s oldest folklórico group was formed in 1959; they are currently bivouacked at the Teatro Heredia. They perform a huge range of Afro-Cuban dance…

  • Tumba Francesa La Caridad de Oriente

    Santiago de Cuba

    For pure tumba francesa dancing check out the Tumba Francesa la Caridad de Oriente, one of only three of these French-Haitian groups left in Cuba. They…

  • Noche Santiagüera

    Santiago de Cuba

    Every Saturday night, the side streets branching off this main thoroughfare teem with street food, music and crowds for a city-wide outdoor party.

  • Ballet Folklórico Cutumba

    Santiago de Cuba

    The Ballet Folklórico Cutumba is an offshoot of the Oriente group formed in 1976. You can usually see them rehearsing at their HQ, the Teatro Galaxia from…

  • Tropicana Santiago

    Santiago de Cuba

    Anything Havana can do, Santiago can do better – or at least cheaper. Styled on the Tropicana original, this 'feathers and baubles' Las Vegas–style floor…

  • Carabalí Izuama

    Santiago de Cuba

    Features comparsa (carnival music and dance groups) who represent the Los Hoyos neighborhood in Santiago’s July carnival. The group is a descendant of a…

  • Santiago Café

    Santiago de Cuba

    This is the hotel Meliá Santiago de Cuba's slightly less spectacular version of the Tropicana. Cabarets take place on Saturday with a disco afterward. It…

  • Casa de Cultura Josué País García

    Santiago de Cuba

    Grab a seat (or stand in the street) and settle down for whatever this spontaneous place can throw at you: orchestral danzón (ballroom dance), folkloric…

  • Carabalí Olugo

    Santiago de Cuba

    This comparsa (carnival music and dance group) represents the Tivoli neighborhood in Santiago’s July carnival. The tradition is derived from 19th-century…

  • Patio ARTex

    Santiago de Cuba

    Art lines the walls of this shop-and-club combo that hosts live music both day and night in the front room or quaint inner courtyard; a good bet if the…

  • Uneac

    Santiago de Cuba

    First stop for art fiends seeking intellectual solace in talks, workshops, encounters and performances – all in a gorgeous colonial courtyard.

  • Estadio de Béisbol Guillermón Moncada

    Santiago de Cuba

    During the baseball season, from October to April, this stadium hosts games at 7:30pm Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, and 1:30pm Sunday (MN$1)…

  • Teatro José María Heredia

    Santiago de Cuba

    Santiago's huge, modern theater and convention center went up during the city refurbishment in the early 1990s. Rock and folk concerts often take place in…

  • Patio Los Dos Abuelos

    Santiago de Cuba

    The old-timers label (abuelos means grandparents) carries a certain amount of truth. This relaxed live-music house is a bastion for traditional son sung…

  • Compañia Danzaría Folklórica Kokoyé

    Santiago de Cuba

    One of the more modern folkloric groups formed in 1989 to promote Afro-Cuban dance to tourists. They can be seen performing on Saturday evenings and…

  • Sala de Conciertos Dolores

    Santiago de Cuba

    You can catch the Sinfónica del Oriente at this former church on Plaza de Dolores, plus the impressive children's choir (at 5pm). The event calendar is…

  • Teatro Martí

    Santiago de Cuba

    Children's shows are staged at 5pm on Saturday and Sunday at this theater near General Portuondo, opposite the Iglesia de Santo Tomás.

  • Orfeón Santiago

    Santiago de Cuba

    This classical choir sometimes allows visitors to attend its practice sessions from 9am to 11am Monday to Friday.

  • Subway Club

    Santiago de Cuba

    Stylish venue with interesting solo acts singing their hearts out to great piano music come nightfall. Good fun.

  • Cine Rialto

    Santiago de Cuba

    This cinema, next to the cathedral, is one of only a few currently operating in Santiago de Cuba. Occasional English-language films.