The Partagas Festival

The Partagas festival as known informally, is actually called The Annual Meeting for Friends of Partagas. It takes place in Havana every year in November. The Partagas Festival in Spanish: “Encuentro de amigos y clientes de Partagas”, translates into  Friends and clients of Partagas gathering. It has now been going on for 31 years and is becoming very popular amongst aficionados, as a way to experience the Habanos culture in Cuba without all the hassle and craziness of the Habanos festival.

This year, the 31st edition of the festival will take place from the 12th of November until the 16th.

Here is what will be going on at this year’s Festival.

Monday 12th:

The assistants may go to the La Casa del Habano de Partagas and get their accreditations for the events of the days to come. This will be a free day. This is a perfect time to wonder around La Habana Vieja, which is where the Fabrica de Partagas is located and mingle with the locals.

Tuesday 13th:

On this day there will be a gala dinner held at the iconic Habana Libre hotel, where you will be offered cigars with their correspondent pairings. There will also be a smoking competition. A local artistic show will be in charge of the night’s entertainment.

Wednesday 14th:

Starting on this day guests will travel out of Havana and to the Rio Canimar. They will be able to sail through the river and see first-hand the local wildlife accompanied by a tour guide. After that guests will be taken to Varadero, one of the Caribbean’s most beautiful beaches, where you will be able to rest at the hotel until the seafood dinner is served. Obviously after the dinner premium Habanos and rums will be complementary.

Thursday 15th:

Guests will be taken out on a cruise through the Caribbean where they may have lunch, snorkel and even swim with the dolphins! But the experience would not be complete without a sampling of the best Habanos and local rums.

Friday the 16th:

To finish off this fantastic week in Cuba, you will be taken back to Havana. On this evening, again at the Habana Libre Hotel, you will have the closing Gala dinner. It will host an awards ceremony as well as an auction.

If you are interested in this experience the full package costs 800 CUC.

Let us know what you think about this festival in the comments below. Have you attended? Would you like to?