Romerias de Mayo

Romerías de Mayo

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Arts & CultureHolguin
DatesDates TBA · Usually MayCheck locally before booking
DurationAnnualEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forPerformance, exhibitionsThe festival's founding gesture, an opening
Language["es"]Currency: CUP
CategoryArts & CultureFestival type
The story

Romerias de Mayo in Holguin

Romerias de Mayo relaunched Holguin's centuries-old Day of the Cross pilgrimage in 1994 as a secular, youth-driven arts festival led by the Asociacion Hermanos Saiz. Each edition opens with a collective climb up Loma de la Cruz carrying a cultural torch, followed by roughly a week of concerts, exhibitions, popular fairs, workshops and literary presentations across the city, with delegations arriving from every continent.

A wooden cross placed on the Cerro del Bayado by the Franciscan prior Fray Antonio Alegria in 1790 gave Holguin both a landmark, the 270-metre Loma de la Cruz, and a pilgrimage that has run every May 3rd since.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

The festival's founding gesture, an opening climb up Loma de la Cruz to the wooden cross first placed there in 1790, deliberately reworks a Catholic pilgrimage into a secular ritual of cultural creativity rather than devotion, a layered history few Cuban festivals can claim

02

The mystery stays covered

It was launched and is still driven by the Asociacion Hermanos Saiz, the state organisation for young Cuban artists, giving it a consistent focus on emerging rather than established talent

03

The city starts moving

Delegations from every continent have attended across more than thirty editions, an unusually cosmopolitan footprint for a festival based in a provincial eastern city rather than Havana

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Every edition opens with a collective ascent of Loma de la Cruz carrying a cultural torch

Water and renewal

Living ritual

a direct reworking of the historic Day of the Cross pilgrimage to the same hilltop cross first placed there in 1790

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually May

Getting around

Use the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.

What to wear

Sturdy, closed walking shoes are worth prioritising for the Loma de la Cruz climb, which involves a real ascent rather than a level stroll. Otherwise casual, breathable clothing suits the...

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

Stay near the part of Holguin you will actually use, or choose a transport base with an easy return after peak hours.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

["es"] · CUP

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map20.89 N, 76.26 WOpen in Google Maps

Holguin, Holguin, Cuba

Nearest airportHOG — Frank Pais
TransportUse the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.
Stay areaStay near the part of Holguin you will actually use, or choose a transport base with an easy return after peak hours.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Holguin via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Holguin, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for May.Compare faresFestival gearSturdy, closed walking shoes are worth prioritising for the Loma de la Cruz climb, which involves a real ascent rather than a level stroll. Otherwise casual, breathable clothing suits the warm early-May climate for both the outdoor parades and evening events.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Cuba and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Romerias de Mayo?

Romerias de Mayo is listed for May. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Romerias de Mayo take place?

The festival is listed in Holguin, Cuba. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Annual is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Needs editorial review. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Holguin, Holguin, Cuba

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLAwaiting confirmation
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually May
Source statusNeeds editorial review
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