CubaJena — Festival de Salsa Cubana
Festival of Cuban Salsa with Workshops and Live Percussion — 6–8 November 2026
About CubaJena
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Salsa Cubana in the University City of Jena
The CubaJena Festival — officially «Festival de Salsa Cubana» — is a dance festival celebrating the full diversity of Cuban dance forms: Casino, Rueda de Casino, Son, Rueda de Son, Timba, and Cha-Cha-Chá. The festival is organized by Jenaer Tanzhaus e.V., one of the most active dance clubs in Central Germany. Over three days, workshops, parties, and live percussion sessions are offered.
Four Dance Couples Leading the Workshops
Four experienced dance couples lead the workshop program: Izabella & Mahmoud (known for precise Rueda formations at European festivals), Helen & Yago (Punto Cubano Berlin, focusing on musicality and authentic cultural expression), Janine & Heiko (combining Salsa Cubana and percussion knowledge), and Kathleen & Norman (elegant Son Cubano with a focus on authentic couple connection).
Structured Workshop Program in Blocks
The workshops are organized into thematic blocks (Casino, Son, Rueda de Casino, Rueda de Son) that build on each other didactically. This allows for a coherent learning experience, rather than a random jump-around workshop program. Friday is dedicated to reception and the opening workshop, Saturday offers solo technique and block workshops during the day and the KuBuS party in the evening, and Sunday concludes with lectures, advanced workshops, and the closing dance party.
KuBuS Jena-Lobeda as Festival Center
The venue is the KuBuS at Theobald-Renner-Straße 1a in Jena-Lobeda — a modern event location that combines the festival center with large dance floors, a stage for live percussion, and workshop rooms. Jena, the second-largest city in Thuringia (around 110,000 inhabitants) in the Saale Valley, is a university city with an active student and dance-loving scene.
CubaJena — edition 2026
Three-Day Festival from 6 to 8 November 2026
The CubaJena Festival 2026 takes place from Friday, 6 November to Sunday, 8 November 2026 at KuBuS in Jena-Lobeda. The program is structured over three days: Friday as check-in and opening day, Saturday as the central dance day with solo technique and block workshops as well as the big KuBuS party, and Sunday as the conclusion with lectures, advanced workshops, and the final dance party.
Workshop Blocks and Dance Instructors
Four dance couples lead the workshop program: Izabella & Mahmoud, Helen & Yago (Punto Cubano Berlin), Janine & Heiko, and Kathleen & Norman. Each couple brings a different focus — from Rueda formations to musicality and Son, to percussion and Casino. The workshops are organized into didactically progressive blocks.
Programme CubaJena 2026
Program Highlights 2026 — CubaJena Festival
- Friday, 6 November 2026:
- Afternoon: Check-in at KuBuS
- First workshop in the late afternoon
- Dinner / communal catering
- Opening party in the evening
- Saturday, 7 November 2026:
- Morning: Solo technique workshops
- Day: Block workshops (Casino, Son, Rueda de Casino, Rueda de Son) for various levels
- Evening: KuBuS Party with live percussion and DJ sets
- Sunday, 8 November 2026:
- Morning: Lectures on Cuban dance and music culture
- Midday: Advanced block workshops
- Afternoon/Evening: Closing social with communal dancing
- Workshop Leaders:
- Izabella & Mahmoud (Rueda formations)
- Helen & Yago (Punto Cubano Berlin, musicality)
- Janine & Heiko (Salsa Cubana and percussion)
- Kathleen & Norman (Son Cubano and couple connection)
- Live percussion sessions throughout the festival
- Organizer: Jenaer Tanzhaus e.V.
Current program and festival passes: cubajena.de. Organizer: tanzhaus-jena.de.
Highlights CubaJena 2026
- Four experienced dance couples as workshop leaders
- Workshop blocks Casino, Son, Rueda de Casino, Rueda de Son
- Live percussion sessions
- KuBuS Party on Saturday evening
- Lectures on Cuban dance and music culture
- KuBuS Jena-Lobeda as a modern venue
Prices CubaJena 2026
Festival passes and individual day tickets via the official website cubajena.de. Prices vary depending on the pass option (Full Pass, Weekend Pass, Day Pass).
Practical information — CubaJena
Date 2026
Friday, 6 November to Sunday, 8 November 2026.
Location
KuBuS, Theobald-Renner-Straße 1a, 07747 Jena (Jena-Lobeda).
Tickets
Festival passes via the official website cubajena.de. Day tickets subject to availability.
Getting There
By car: A4 or A9 to Jena, exit Jena-Lobeda. By public transport: Jena Paradies station (15 min), then tram or bus to Jena-Lobeda.
Tip
The festival is suitable for both beginners and advanced dancers (different levels in the workshop blocks). Anyone wanting to learn or deepen their knowledge of Latin dance will find one of the most concentrated learning opportunities in Central Germany here.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a CubaJena al mejor precio.
Sponsored link
Where it takes place CubaJena
KuBuS Jena (Jena-Lobeda)
Theobald-Renner-Straße 1a, 07747 Jena