Carnival Museum
Museo del Carnaval
A museum on Heredia Street showcasing the history of Santiago's Carnival, with floats, costumes, and musical instruments. Folk dance performances are often held in the afternoon.
Santiago's Carnival grew out of colonial-era festivals held by enslaved people. It is Cuba's biggest carnival, held each year in late July. The museum displays masks from past years, costumes of conga dance troupes, float models, and traditional instruments, and explains the diverse influences of African religions and French immigrants. In the afternoon, folk dance troupes often perform drumming in the courtyard. It is located on Heredia Street, where the Casa de la Trova is, and admission is a few US dollars. The image shows a Carnival parade.
Opening hours
Approx. 09:00–17:00; closed Mondays (confirm on site)
Nearby sights
- Emilio Bacardí Moreau Museum
- Rum Museum
- Casa de la Trova
- Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption
- Parque Céspedes
- Casa de Diego Velázquez
- Balcón de Velázquez
- Padre Pico Steps