Little Known Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Cuba

The political meaning of Christmas in Cuba has transformed significantly since the mid-20th century. Before 1959, Cubans embraced the holiday much like other nations, with family traditions, festive decorations, and religious services. However, when Fidel Castro came to power, this changed.

By 1969, Christmas was officially banned—partly due to the government’s atheistic stance, but also to maximize the sugar cane harvest, as workers were expected to remain in the fields during December. For nearly three decades, the holiday disappeared from public life. Then, in a symbolic gesture tied to Pope John Paul II’s upcoming visit, Castro reinstated Christmas—briefly—in 1997.