Havana’s Seaside Drive, better known as Malecón, will again host the city’s carnival, the country’s oldest popular celebrations, as of August 7th.

For two weekends, August 7- 9 and August 14 -16, the long awaited parade from the National Hotel to Marina Street, will include 12 floats, 18 street dancers ensembles and seven shows, joined by first rate bands, from  9:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.

During the carnival bands and orchestras, such as Wena Onda, Pupi y Los Que Son Son, Karamba, Revé y Su Charangón, Tania Pantoja, Isis Flores and her band, Cristian and Rey, Anacaona and others will perform live in different dancing areas that include the  José Martí Antiimperialist Tribune, 1ra. and D, San Lázaro and Belascoaín and the former La Piragua area close to El Gato Tuerto nightclub.  

Companies, such as the National Folk Ensemble, the Tropicana Nightclub company, Free Dance and the Cuban TV Ballet will join the openings and are set to parade with the traditional and contemporary street dancers troupes, including El alacrán, Componedores de batea, Marqueses de Atarés, La boyera, La FEU and Los Guaracheros de Regla.

On August 13, the Sports City Colliseum will host a children’s show with La Colmenita children’s theater company and several children’s street dancers companies. The carnival will close with the children’s carnival on August 30.