Table of Contents
Location: Plaza de Armas, Cusco
Every January 6, this ceremony is celebrated in the Plaza de Armas in the city of Cusco. The event begins with songs performed by various local choirs in honor of Christmas and the Baby Jesus.
Likewise, the traditional dismantling of the Cusco nativity scene takes place, a symbolic act presided over by the city’s main authorities.
The Municipal Festivities Company of Cusco (EMUFEC) organizes the award ceremony and distinction for the winning exhibitors of Santurantikuy 2026, the most representative traditional Christmas fair in Cusco.
The work of the women and men artisans who win the Cusco Nativity Scenes Contest is also recognized. They participate every December 24 in this competition that celebrates creativity and cultural identity.
Location: San Sebastián District, Cusco
From January 19 to 25, the traditional district of San Sebastián, one of the oldest in Cusco, celebrates its patron saint, San Sebastián, with devotion, music, and color.
The streets fill with traditional dances and folk troupes that parade to the rhythm of Andean music, in the midst of a festive atmosphere that spreads to locals and visitors alike.
During the celebration, you can also savor iconic dishes such as the traditional chiriuchu and enjoy ancestral drinks such as chicha de jora.
A cultural experience that blends faith, identity, and joy in the very heart of Cusco.
Location: Cusco
Cusco begins February with fun, color, and mischief as the traditional Celebration of the Compadres arrives, a date that reinforces the bond as godfathers, close friends, or festive accomplices, celebrated with plenty of humor and popular creativity.
During this day, it is common to see rag dolls placed on balconies, posts, and plazas. These figures, generally male, represent public figures, politicians, or neighbors from the district, caricatured with wit and messages that mock everyday situations or social criticism.
The city vibrates with music, laughter, foam, and colorful paint, in a festive atmosphere that marks the beginning of Carnival in Cusco, one of the most authentic and participatory in Peru.
Location: Cusco
Then it is the turn of the comadres, women united by a special bond, whether as godmothers, close friends, or festive accomplices. This celebration pays tribute to them with music, foam, streamers, and lots of color.
As part of the tradition, rag dolls are made and placed on balconies, posts, markets, and plazas. These figures represent well-known female characters and become a satirical expression full of humor and social criticism, in true Cusco style.
Location: Plaza de Armas and the streets of the Historic Center
Considered one of the happiest and most participatory festivities in the Cusco calendar, Carnival in Cusco transforms the city into a celebration of color, dance, and popular games. Although the celebration lasts several weeks, the main day is lived intensely.
From Compadres Thursday until February 22 (the grand farewell to carnival), the city vibrates with troupes, street parades, traditional dances, live music, and games with water, foam, and paint. The Plaza de Armas becomes the epicenter of collective joy.
Location: Throughout the city of Cusco and the provinces
One week after Carnival Sunday, Kacharpari takes place, a ceremony that marks the closing of the festivities. In the historic center of Cusco, dances, music, and a display of the delicious local gastronomy are presented.
This dish, typical of carnival season, becomes the star of Cusco tables. Timpu or puchero is prepared with beef, potatoes, sweet potatoes, rice, chickpeas, corn, and other vegetables. It is a delicious meal, ideal for sharing with family or friends during these dates.
In various neighborhoods of Cusco, the traditional yunza is celebrated, a festivity in which a tree decorated with gifts is planted. While the music plays, participants dance around it and, in turns, strike the trunk with an axe.
The most exciting moment is when the tree falls; whoever knocks it down will be the organizer of the yunza the following year. A very festive custom that brings together symbolism, cooperation, and community.
Location: Plaza Mayor, Lima
In the capital of Peru, the official ceremony is held that marks the beginning of the Festivities of Cusco and the road toward Inti Raymi, evoking the greatness of the Tahuantinsuyo and the continuity of its legacy.
The announcement is made by the provincial mayor before the Peruvian people, the national and international media, and the general public. This event marks the starting point of a season of cultural celebrations that reflect the living identity of Cusco before the world.
Holy Week is one of the most important religious celebrations in the Cusco calendar. Lived with deep faith and tradition, it gathers thousands of devotees who fill churches, streets, and plazas with symbols of reflection, gratitude, and hope.
Everything begins with Palm Sunday, when families go to churches carrying crosses woven from palm leaves, which are blessed during Mass. These crosses are then placed in homes as a sign of protection and spiritual renewal, thus marking the beginning of a week of reflection and popular devotion.
On Holy Monday, one of the most important acts of the week takes place: the Procession of the Lord of the Earthquakes, Sworn Patron of Cusco.
On Holy Thursday, the Last Supper is remembered, and many Cusco families keep the tradition of preparing twelve different dishes in honor of the twelve apostles. This custom may also take place on Good Friday, depending on the beliefs and practices of each household.
Good Friday is a day of reflection and silence. The crucifixion and death of Jesus are commemorated with special Masses, Stations of the Cross meditations, and moments of deep reflection throughout Cusco.
Holy Saturday marks the transition toward hope, in an atmosphere of reflection while awaiting the resurrection. Finally, the festivity culminates with Easter Sunday, a day of celebration for the triumph of life over death. The bells ring joyfully and Masses are celebrated across the city.
During this week, Cusco experiences a unique fusion of Catholic faith and Andean tradition. It is a truly unforgettable spiritual and cultural experience.
Location: Historic Center of Cusco
Holy Monday, the central day of Holy Week in Cusco, is experienced with special intensity. On that day, the image of the Lord of the Earthquakes, Sworn Patron of the city, solemnly travels through the main streets of the historic center in a procession full of faith and emotion.
During the procession, balconies are adorned with flowers and mantles, and people offer prayers, songs, and bunches of ñucchu, an Andean flower of intense red color that symbolizes the blood of Christ crucified. This flower, traditionally cultivated, is a distinctive element of this Cusco celebration.
As night falls, around 7:00 p.m., the Plaza de Armas becomes the spiritual heart of the city. Thousands of people gather to receive the Lord’s blessing in one of the most moving moments of Cusco’s religious calendar. It is pure collective energy, guided by faith.
The ñucchu (Salvia oppositiflora) is an ancestral flower that grows in the highlands of southern Peru. With its bright red color and delicate shape, it has been adopted by the faithful of Cusco as a symbol of devotion and sacrifice. Its use in the procession of the Lord of the Earthquakes is a living manifestation of union between Andean spirituality and Catholic tradition.
Location: Traditional Neighborhoods of Cusco
Cruz Velacuy, or Vigil of the Cross, is one of the most heartfelt religious festivities in Cusco’s traditional neighborhoods. This celebration blends Christian devotion with Andean beliefs, in a symbolic act of respect and connection with the apus or sacred mountains.
During this date, the crosses, which on many occasions are brought down from the heights, are placed in chapels or central spaces in the neighborhoods, where they are watched over during the night with prayers, dances, songs, traditional food, and an atmosphere of community gathering.
Location: Streets of the Historic Center of Cusco
The city fills with energy during the Gran Carrera Qosqo 10K, Hatun Phaway, a sporting event that marks the beginning of the celebrations for Cusco’s jubilee month.
Local, national, and international runners cover 10 kilometers through a circuit that crosses emblematic places in the imperial city, promoting physical activity, healthy tourism, and cultural integration. This is both a competition and a collective experience that celebrates life, movement, and the Cusco spirit in all its splendor.
Location: Plaza de Armas, Cusco
With an ancestral ceremony in honor of Mother Earth, the Festivities of Cusco officially begin.
This day marks the start of the jubilee month with a ritual of gratitude to Pachamama, the sacred symbol of fertility and abundance in the Andean worldview. Organized by EMUFEC (Municipal Festivities Company of Cusco), the event is staged in the heart of the historic center, Plaza Mayor, and brings together thousands of attendees, both locals and visitors from around the world.
This ceremony uses coca leaves, chicha de jora, and floral offerings as its instruments, and the spirit of Cusco revives its deepest bond with the land that sustains it.
Location: Urubamba, Sacred Valley of the Incas
In the spiritual capital of the Sacred Valley, Urubamba, one of the most heartfelt Catholic celebrations in the region takes place. The Lord of Torrechayoc, represented by a cross adorned with jewels and fine textiles, receives the homage of his faithful with Masses, processions, dances, and traditional dishes. The main altar is located in the neighborhood of the same name, just 10 minutes from the town center.
For several days, religious fervor and popular joy fill the streets with fireworks, music bands, and traditional dances, in a unique communion of faith and living culture.
Location: Plaza Mayor of Cusco
As part of Cusco’s jubilee month, the city’s universities pay tribute through an artistic parade full of identity. Each institution presents traditional dances and allegories that reflect its commitment to Andean culture and its connection with the community.
A parade that showcases youthful talent, regional pride, and the vitality of a culture that remains alive in every young person.
Location: Apu Ausangate, Hollow of Sinakara
More than a festival, this is a profound spiritual experience. Every year, around 90,000 pilgrims undertake a sacred journey toward the Ausangate snow-capped mountain, one of the most revered apus in Cusco. The route begins with a vehicle journey, followed by a hike that ends in Sinakara, a natural sanctuary surrounded by mountains.
June 17 is the central day, when devotion reaches its highest point with ritual dances, chants, and ceremonies that intertwine Catholicism with ancient Andean beliefs. Organized by the Council of Pilgrim Nations and the Brotherhood of the Lord of Qoyllurit’i, this event was recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The pilgrimage reaffirms the spiritual bond between humankind, the mountain, and their ancient customs.
Location: Plaza Mayor of Cusco
Color, rhythm, and tradition take over the Plaza de Armas during this vibrant parade. Dozens of educational institutions in Cusco, both public and private, come together to pay tribute to the city through traditional dances. Each group displays native costumes, ancestral choreography, and cultural expressions that reflect the diversity and richness of Andean peoples. A spectacle that not only honors the past, but also inspires new generations to keep their heritage alive.
Location: Plaza de Armas, Plaza San Francisco, Cusco
The entrance of Corpus Christi in Cusco is one of the most important and visually striking celebrations in the Andean festive calendar. Every year, on the eve of the central day, 15 images of saints and virgins pass through the streets to the Cathedral of Cusco, in a parade of music, dance, and devotion that attracts both locals and tourists from around the world. This celebration is a Catholic tradition with Andean beliefs that turns into a unique spectacle.
Location: Plaza de Armas, Cusco
Corpus Christi 2026 keeps alive one of the oldest and most emblematic religious traditions in Cusco. Every year, thousands of faithful and travelers gather to witness the great procession of fifteen images of saints and virgins, carried on shoulders from the city’s main temples to the Cathedral of Cusco. Each brotherhood organizes musical bands, dances, and offerings that accompany the route, creating an atmosphere of deep devotion and faith.
Location: Plaza San Francisco, Cusco
This festival is a tribute to flavor and memory. Chiriuchu, which in Quechua means “cold chili pepper,” is much more than a typical dish. It is an ancestral fusion of ingredients that represent the richness of Peru’s ecological zones.
It is traditionally served at this time of year and includes products such as cochayuyo, boiled chicken, alpaca jerky, Cusco chorizo, fish roe, cheese, cancha (toasted corn), rocoto, seaweed (kori), and corn fritter. A feast of flavors with pre-Hispanic and colonial roots that wins over every palate.
Location: All of Cusco, Andean regions in general
On June 20, when the sun reaches its lowest point in the sky of the southern hemisphere, Andean peoples celebrate the Andean New Year (or Machaq Mara in Aymara, Inti Raymi in Quechua) in coincidence with the Winter Solstice. It is a sacred moment of renewal and hope: the rebirth of the sun (Inti), source of life, after the longest night of the year.
In the Andean worldview, nature and time are deeply connected. For that reason, this day marks the beginning of a new agricultural, spiritual, and communal cycle. At dawn, communities gather in ceremonial spaces, often in high places such as mountains or temples, to receive the first rays of the sun with their arms outstretched as a sign of gratitude and a request for blessings for the new year.
This ancient rite, now experienced with renewed pride in places such as Cusco, Puno, Bolivia, and other Andean regions, is also an act of cultural resistance and a tribute to the legacy of the ancient peoples of Tawantinsuyu. In many cases, it is complemented by dances, offerings to Pachamama (Mother Earth), and rituals.
Location: Plaza Mayor of Cusco
EMUFEC presents the Luces y Sonido Cusco 2026 show, a visual and sound experience that lights up the Cathedral of Cusco with light displays, live music, and fireworks.
For approximately four hours or a little more, thousands of attendees, both locals and tourists, enjoy an unforgettable evening framed by the festive spirit of the jubilee month. This event is one of the most anticipated in Cusco and brings together technology, art, and emotion. The show begins in the afternoon and ends around 10:00 p.m., although the schedule may vary.
Locations: Qoricancha, Plaza de Armas, Sacsayhuaman
Inti Raymi is one of the most important and traditional events in Cusco, celebrated every June 24. It is the central day of Cusco’s jubilee month and one of the most important ceremonies in the Andean calendar.
Inspired by the ancient Inca rite in honor of Inti, the Sun god, this event marks the winter solstice, a key moment in the Andean agricultural cycle. Ancient inhabitants believed the sun needed to be honored to ensure abundant harvests and the well-being of the empire.
The reenactment is divided into three main acts that pass through the most sacred settings of ancient Qosqo.
First act: Qoricancha
The ceremony begins at the Temple of the Sun, Qoricancha, with the appearance of the Sinchi (Commander General of the Inca army) and his army. He is followed by the Acllas, women chosen for their grace and wisdom, considered the most beautiful in the empire.
The Tika Taqaqkunas also take part, scattering flowers along the ceremonial route through which the Inca and his wife, the Qoya, advance. All of this is accompanied by the sound of quenas and pututos, traditional instruments that evoke the sacred power of music. This first act lasts approximately 30 minutes.
Second act: Plaza de Armas of Cusco
The royal procession moves to the historic Plaza de Armas, where the Sinchi, the imperial army, and the representatives of the four suyos of Tahuantinsuyu are presented: Chinchaysuyo, Contisuyo, Antisuyo, and Collasuyo.
The Inca and the High Priest of the Sun make a symbolic offering on an altar placed in the middle of the square, with the aim of ensuring good harvests, balance, and prosperity for the empire.
This act lasts approximately 40 minutes and stands out for its solemnity, symbolic strength, and visual majesty.
Final act: Sacsayhuamán
The culminating act takes place in the archaeological complex of Sacsayhuamán, one of the most impressive constructions of the Inca legacy. Here the greatest concentration of musicians, dancers, priests, and representatives of the four regions of the empire takes place, each entering with their own dances.
Various offerings are made, including the symbolic sacrifice of a llama, considered the principal rite of the ceremony. The final scene is crowned by an emotional proclamation by the Inca in the Quechua language, foretelling good fortune for his people and reaffirming the bond between the earth, the sun, and the spirit of the Andean people.
Location: Plaza Mayor of Cusco
Eight days after Corpus Christi, the sacred images go out in one final procession to bid farewell to the people of Cusco. Tradition says that during those days, the saints “have been talking” about the behavior of their devotees.
The Octave represents the closing of this festivity before each image returns to its temple. A solemn farewell that reaffirms the deep connection between Catholic faith and Cusco’s cultural identity.
Location: Plaza Mayor of Cusco
Eight days after Corpus Christi, the sacred images go out in one final procession to bid farewell to the people of Cusco. Tradition says that during those days, the saints “have been talking” about the behavior of their devotees.
The Octave represents the closing of this festivity before each image returns to its temple. A solemn farewell that reaffirms the deep connection between Catholic faith and Cusco’s cultural identity.
Location: Paucartambo, Cusco
During those days, Paucartambo becomes an epicenter of faith, culture, and color. Every July 16, the festivity of the Virgen del Carmen, affectionately called “Mamacha Carmen,” is celebrated. It is considered the second most important folkloric celebration in Peru, after the Virgen de la Candelaria in Puno.
Thousands of faithful and visitors travel from Cusco, on a journey of about 2 hours or a little more, to pay tribute to the spiritual patron of the town. The streets fill with troupes, band music, and a solemn procession that moves through the heart of the town. More than a dozen groups portray characters with their own costumes and choreography, highlighting the famous saqras, figures with demonic masks who interact playfully with the audience, representing the eternal struggle between good and evil.
In recent years, this festivity has crossed borders because of its spirituality, its deep Andean-Christian symbolism, and the vibrant spirit felt in every corner of the town. A transformative experience that combines devotion, oral tradition, ritual dance, and popular art in a high-mountain setting.
Location: Plaza de Armas of Cusco
Cusco joins the entire country in celebrating the anniversary of Peru’s independence with an impressive civic-military parade. Every July 28, educational institutions, state entities, police forces, and military forces march through Plaza Mayor in honor of the homeland, under the gaze of local authorities and citizens.
The day begins with a Mass in the Cathedral of Cusco, followed by the solemn raising of the Peruvian flag. Marching bands, ceremonial uniforms, and civic fervor fill the historic center, recalling the legacy of freedom that unites all Peruvians.
Location: Plaza Regocijo, Cusco
Cusco Invita is a gastronomic event, organized by EMUFEC and open to the public. A tribute to Peruvian flavor in the historic capital of Peru, with the participation of renowned chefs from the city and the support of cultural institutions.
During this celebration, Plaza Regocijo becomes a space full of flavors, where emblematic dishes of Cusco and Peruvian cuisine can be tasted.
The festive atmosphere is completed with live music, traditional dances, and an ambiance that celebrates Peru’s culinary diversity.
Cusco, recognized as one of the country’s most important gastronomic destinations, opens its kitchen to the world in this meeting of tradition, creativity, and flavor.
Location: All of Cusco
The first day of August marks a sacred date in the Andean calendar: the Day of Pachamama. Since ancestral times, the peoples of the Andes make offerings to Mother Earth, giving thanks for what they have received and asking for abundance for the new agricultural cycle.
In Cusco, this tradition remains alive both in homes and institutions, where symbolic ceremonies are carried out with deep spiritual respect. Offerings include chicha de jora, coca leaves, cigarettes, candies, even at times port wine, and other ritual elements passed down through generations.
A custom that reaffirms the spiritual bond between the earth, human beings, and the universe.
Location: Plaza San Cristóbal, Cusco
Devotion to the patron saint of drivers is celebrated with joy in Plaza San Cristóbal. During this day, the temple grounds fill with music, dances, and religious expressions. The celebration includes cultural activities, Masses, food fairs, and artisan exhibitions, in an atmosphere that unites tradition and community.
Orchestras, the color of traditional costumes, and popular faith transform this event into a vibrant day, where the saint protector of the road is honored.
Location: Calca and Pisaq, Sacred Valley
Known as Mamacha Asunta, the Virgen Asunta is the patron of Calca and one of the most beloved Marian icons of the Sacred Valley. Her festivity is experienced with joyful dances, choreography full of happiness, and expressions of popular faith that attract both local visitors and national and foreign tourists.
The streets fill with troupes, fireworks, and deep faith, in a setting surrounded by mountains and tradition. It is a celebration that combines the sacred with the festive and leaves an unforgettable experience for those who take part.
Location: Taray, Calca, Pisac, Tinta (Canchis)
The feast in honor of the patron saint San Bartolomé is celebrated with songs, dances, and traditional music played with bandurrias and quenas.
This traditional celebration takes place mainly in the district of Tinta, from August 22 to 26, and is also experienced in other towns of the Sacred Valley.
It is a festivity that stands out for its rural and communal essence, where dance, faith, and a sense of belonging intertwine in a tribute full of life.
Location: Plaza de Armas of Cusco
The Patron Saint of the Americas and the Philippines, Saint Rose of Lima, is honored with a civic-religious ceremony in Plaza Mayor of Cusco. Civil, military, police authorities, and institutions that have her as their patron take part in a parade that combines solemnity and religious pride.
This festivity, celebrated throughout the country as a national holiday, stands out in Cusco for the presence of the National Police of Peru and other law enforcement forces, who pay tribute to their holy protector.
Location: Almudena Neighborhood, Cusco
Almudena, one of the oldest and most traditional neighborhoods in Cusco, celebrates the Virgin of the Nativity with devotion, one of the city’s most beloved images. The festivity begins on August 29 with the traditional flower entrance, a procession that starts at Plaza San Francisco and reaches the Temple of Almudena, covering the streets of the historic center with color and fragrance.
The central day, September 8, is celebrated with solemn Masses, music, and traditional dances that accompany the Virgin’s procession in the Almudena neighborhood. It is a festivity full of emotion, where faith and tradition intertwine in one of the oldest corners of Cusco.
Location: District of San Salvador – Sanctuary of Huanca, Cusco
Every September 14, thousands of devotees make their way to the Sanctuary of the Lord of Huanca, in the district of San Salvador, 48 km from the city of Cusco. The image of the martyred Christ is a symbol of healing, faith, and hope, and brings together pilgrims from all over Peru and abroad.
Many faithful complete the entire walk as an act of penance or gratitude. The route, surrounded by nature and spirituality, becomes an encounter of collective faith. The sanctuary, nestled in the mountains, is one of the country’s most important pilgrimage centers.
Location: Mollepata, Province of Anta
The Lord of the Exaltation is venerated with deep devotion in Mollepata, where every year communities from all over the province of Anta gather. This festivity, deeply rooted in popular feeling, brings together hundreds of pilgrims who arrive from different parts of Cusco to participate in Masses, processions, and celebrations with music and dance.
Location: Plaza of the district of San Jerónimo, Cusco
The festivity in honor of Saint Jerome, patron of the district of the same name, is one of the most representative religious celebrations of the month. Not only do the residents of San Jerónimo take part, but also troupes and delegations from neighboring districts of Cusco.
The program includes folk dance contests, music festivals, artistic exhibitions, and food fairs that showcase the best of local culture.
Location: Historic Center of Cusco and districts such as San Sebastián and San Jerónimo
Although the main festivity of the Lord of Miracles is celebrated on October 28 in Lima, in Cusco the activities begin on October 1 with the opening Mass of the purple month and the blessing of habits. The central day in Cusco is October 18, with processions that go through various streets of the city, including visits to institutions and penitentiary centers. The closing of the purple month takes place on October 31 with a special Mass.
Location: Historic Center of Cusco
Although the origin of the criollo song is in Lima, specifically in Barrios Altos, the celebration of this musical expression has also taken root in Cusco. Every October 31, the historic center fills with coastal music, traditional dances, and cultural activities that pay tribute to the criollo spirit.
Open-air concerts, marinera performances, and exhibitions of traditional Peruvian food intertwine with Cusco’s heritage in a day that honors one of the most authentic expressions of national identity.
Location: Oropesa, Cusco
A celebration that brings together the Catholic and the Andean with deep tenderness and symbolism. During this date, the homes and cemeteries of Oropesa fill with altars dedicated to the deceased, decorated with flowers, candles, fruit, sweets, and the emblematic t'anta wawas: breads shaped like children, horses, or other figures representing the cycle of life.
The atmosphere is festive and family-oriented, with tables full of roast pork, tamales made with Cusco corn, and other traditional delicacies. In plazas and markets such as Plaza Túpac Amaru, food stalls abound, offering those flavors that bring generations together.
Location: Cusco and rural communities
Continuing the celebrations of All Saints’ Day, the Day of the Dead is an intimate day, when families honor their departed loved ones. Altars are built in homes with objects, photographs, and favorite foods of the deceased, since it is believed they return to share with their loved ones. This tradition is especially meaningful in the rural communities of Cusco.
Location: Plaza de Armas of Cusco
Every Christmas Eve season, Plaza de Armas becomes a great Andean market that celebrates faith and popular art. Santurantikuy, which in Quechua means “buy me a little saint,” is a traditional fair that brings together hundreds of artisans from Cusco and other provinces, who display their finest creations: nativity scenes, religious figures, textiles, ceramics, carved wooden objects, and Christmas ornaments.
Beyond shopping, it is an opportunity to experience Christmas in an Andean way, where spirituality, creativity, and tradition intertwine in a single space.
Location: Plaza de Armas of Cusco
On the night of December 31, Plaza de Armas becomes a great stage where locals and travelers gather to celebrate with music, dances, rituals, and fireworks.
At midnight, the Andean tradition makes itself present, and people walk in circles around the plaza to attract good omens and positive energies. It is not only about changing the calendar, but also about renewing the spirit in a city that vibrates with history, faith, and hope.
And as part of the most popular rituals, many people take flowering baths, prepared with herbs, flowers, and essences that seek to cleanse bad energies and attract well-being. Others choose to wear yellow underwear, a symbol of good luck and abundance for the year ahead.
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