Cusco is a city where traditions remain alive throughout the year through religious festivities, cultural celebrations, and Andean customs. Each celebration has its own expressions of faith, music, dances, and traditions that are part of Cusco's identity. In this calendar, you will find the main festivities in Cusco in 2027, with their approximate dates, to help you plan your visit and experience the city during a special time of the year.
Cusco maintains a year-round calendar of traditional festivals, religious celebrations, and cultural expressions that are part of the city's identity and its communities. In this calendar, you will find the main festivities scheduled for 2027, with their approximate dates, so you can organize your trip and experience Cusco during some of its most representative celebrations.
| Approximate Date | Festival | Why is it important for travelers? |
| March – April | Holy Week and Lord of the Earthquakes | One of Cusco's main expressions of religious devotion, with processions and traditions that combine Andean and Catholic elements. |
| May – June | Corpus Christi | One of Cusco's most representative religious celebrations, featuring a procession of saints and virgins through the Historic Center. |
| June 24 | Inti Raymi | The most emblematic cultural celebration on Cusco's calendar, with a major performance at Qorikancha, the Plaza de Armas, and Sacsayhuamán. |
| July 15–18 | Virgin of Carmen of Paucartambo | Known for its dances, folk groups, music, and traditional characters, it is one of the main expressions of the region's folklore. |
| August 1 | Pachamama Day | A date associated with Andean traditions of gratitude and offerings to Mother Earth. |
| December 24 | Santurantikuy | One of the most important traditional fairs in Cusco, especially interesting for its handicrafts, religious imagery, and Andean nativity scenes. |
Location: Plaza de Armas of Cusco
Every January 6, this ceremony takes place in the Plaza de Armas of Cusco. The event begins with songs performed by various local choirs in honor of Christmas and the Christ Child.
The traditional dismantling of the Cusco nativity scene also takes place during a symbolic ceremony presided over by the city's main authorities.
The Municipal Festival Committee of Cusco (EMUFEC) organizes the award and recognition ceremony for the winning exhibitors of Santurantikuy 2027, the most representative traditional Christmas fair in Cusco.
The winning artisans of the Cusco Nativity Scene Competition are also recognized. They participate every December 24 in this competition, which 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 groups parading to the rhythm of Andean music, creating a festive atmosphere enjoyed by both local residents and visitors.
Location: Cusco
Cusco begins February with fun, color, and festive humor as the traditional Compadres celebration arrives. This occasion strengthens the bonds between godparents, close friends, and fellow celebrants, and is enjoyed with plenty of humor and popular creativity. On this day, it is common to see cloth dolls placed on balconies, poles, and in plazas. These figures, generally male, represent public figures, politicians, or neighbors, portrayed with wit and humorous messages commenting on everyday situations or social issues.
Location: Cusco
Now it is the Comadres' turn, women united by a special bond, whether as godmothers, close friends, or fellow celebrants. This festival honors them with music, foam, streamers, and plenty of color. As part of the tradition, cloth dolls are made and displayed on balconies, poles, markets, and plazas. These figures represent well-known female characters and become a satirical expression filled with humor and social commentary in the Cusco style.
Location: Plaza de Armas and streets of the Historic Center
Carnival in Cusco transforms the city into a celebration of color, dance, and traditional games. Although the festivities last several weeks, the main day is celebrated with particular intensity. From Compadres Thursday until February 22, the date of the grand farewell to Carnival, the city comes alive with folk groups, street parades, traditional dances, live music, and games involving water, foam, and paint.
Location: the entire city of Cusco and its provinces
One week after Carnival Sunday, Kacharpari is celebrated, marking the end of the festivities. In the Historic Center of Cusco, visitors can enjoy dances, music, and a sample of delicious local cuisine.
This traditional Carnival dish becomes one of the highlights of Cusco's tables. Timpu or puchero is prepared with beef, potatoes, sweet potatoes, rice, chickpeas, corn, and other vegetables. It is a delicious option to share with family or friends during these celebrations.
In different neighborhoods of Cusco, the traditional yunza is celebrated by planting a tree decorated with gifts. As music plays, participants dance around it and take turns hitting the trunk with an axe.
The most exciting moment comes when the tree falls. Whoever manages to bring it down becomes responsible for organizing the yunza the following year. This festive tradition combines symbolism, cooperation, and a sense of community.
Location: Plaza Mayor of Lima
In Peru's capital, the official launch ceremony for the Festivities of Cusco and the road to Inti Raymi takes place, evoking the grandeur of the Tahuantinsuyo and the continuity of its legacy.
The announcement is led by the provincial mayor before Peruvian citizens, national and international media, and the general public. This event marks the beginning of a season of cultural celebrations that showcase Cusco's living identity to the world.
Holy Week is one of the most important religious celebrations on Cusco's calendar. It is experienced with deep faith and tradition and brings together thousands of devotees who fill churches, streets, and plazas with symbols of reflection, gratitude, and hope. Everything begins with Palm Sunday, when families attend churches carrying crosses woven from palm leaves, which are blessed during Mass. These crosses are then placed in homes as a symbol of protection and spiritual renewal, marking the beginning of a week of reflection.
Holy Monday features one of the most important events of the week: the Procession of the Lord of the Earthquakes, the Sworn Patron of Cusco.
On Holy Thursday, the Last Supper is commemorated, and many Cusco families maintain the tradition of preparing twelve different dishes in honor of the twelve apostles. This custom can also be observed on Good Friday, depending on each family's beliefs and practices.
Good Friday is a day of reflection and silence. The crucifixion and death of Jesus are commemorated with special Masses, Stations of the Cross, and moments of deep reflection in different parts of Cusco.
Holy Saturday marks the transition toward hope, in an atmosphere of reflection while awaiting the resurrection. Finally, the celebrations conclude with Easter Sunday, the day when the triumph of life over death is celebrated. Bells ring joyfully and Masses are held throughout the city.
Location: Historic Center of Cusco
Holy Monday, the central day of Holy Week in Cusco, is experienced with particular intensity. On this date, the image of the Lord of the Earthquakes, the city's Sworn Patron, solemnly travels through the main streets of the Historic Center in a procession filled with faith and emotion.
During the procession, balconies are decorated with flowers and cloths, while people offer prayers, songs, and bouquets of ñucchu, an intensely red Andean flower that symbolizes the blood of the crucified Christ. Traditionally cultivated, this flower is a distinctive element of this Cusco celebration.
As night falls, at 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 a collective expression of faith.
Ñucchu (Salvia oppositiflora) is an ancestral flower that grows in the highlands of southern Peru. Because of its intense red color and delicate shape, devotees in Cusco have adopted it as a symbol of devotion and sacrifice. Its use during the procession of the Lord of the Earthquakes is a living expression of the connection between Andean spirituality and Catholic tradition.
Location: traditional neighborhoods of Cusco
Cruz Velacuy, or the Vigil of the Cross, is one of the most heartfelt religious celebrations in the traditional neighborhoods of Cusco. During this festival, crosses, many of them brought from the highlands, are placed in chapels or central spaces in the neighborhoods, where they are kept overnight with prayers, dances, songs, traditional food, and a strong sense of community.
Location: Urubamba, Sacred Valley of the Incas
In Urubamba, the spiritual heart of the Sacred Valley, one of the region's most traditional Catholic festivals is celebrated. The Lord of Torrechayoc, represented by a cross decorated with jewels and fine textiles, is venerated by devotees 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 devotion and popular celebrations fill the streets with fireworks, music bands, and traditional dances, creating a unique connection between faith and living culture.
Location: streets of the Historic Center of Cusco
The city fills with energy during the Great Qosqo 10K Hatun Phaway Race, a sporting event that marks the beginning of the celebrations of Cusco's Jubilee Month. Local, national, and international runners cover 10 kilometers along a route that passes through emblematic sites of the imperial city, promoting physical activity, healthy tourism, and cultural integration.
Location: Plaza de Armas of Cusco
The Festivities of Cusco officially begin with an ancestral ceremony honoring Mother Earth.
This day marks the beginning of the Jubilee Month with a ritual of gratitude to Pachamama, a sacred symbol of fertility and abundance in the Andean worldview. Organized by EMUFEC (Municipal Festival Committee of Cusco), the ceremony includes coca leaves, chicha de jora, and floral offerings, reviving Cusco's deep connection with the land that sustains it.
Location: Apu Ausangate, Sinakara Valley
Every year, around 90,000 pilgrims undertake a sacred journey to Mount Ausangate, one of the most revered apus in Cusco. The route begins with a vehicle journey followed by a hike that culminates in Sinakara, a natural sanctuary surrounded by mountains.
June 2 is the central day, when devotion reaches its peak with ritual dances, songs, 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 has been recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The pilgrimage reaffirms the spiritual connection between people, mountains, and ancient traditions.
Location: Plaza de Armas, Plaza San Francisco, Cusco
The Corpus Christi entrance procession in Cusco is one of the most important and visually striking celebrations on the Andean festive calendar. Every year, on the eve of the central day, 15 images of saints and virgins travel through the streets toward Cusco Cathedral in a procession of music, dance, and devotion that attracts both local residents and travelers from around the world. This Catholic celebration incorporates Andean beliefs, creating a unique spectacle.
Location: Plaza de Armas of Cusco
Corpus Christi 2027 keeps alive one of Cusco's oldest and most emblematic religious traditions. Every year, thousands of devotees and travelers gather to witness the great procession of fifteen images of saints and virgins, carried on the shoulders of bearers from the city's main temples to Cusco Cathedral. Each brotherhood organizes music bands, dances, and offerings that accompany the procession, creating an atmosphere of deep devotion and faith.
Location: Plaza San Francisco, Cusco
Chiriuchu, which means “cold chili” in Quechua, is much more than a traditional dish. It is an ancestral combination of ingredients that represents the richness of Peru's different ecological regions.
Traditionally served at this time of year, it brings together ingredients such as cochayuyo, boiled hen, alpaca jerky, Cusco-style sausage, fish roe, cheese, cancha, rocoto, seaweed (kori), and corn omelet.
Location: Plaza Mayor of Cusco
Eight days after Corpus Christi, the sacred images take part in a 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 marks the close of the celebration before each image returns to its respective temple. It is a solemn farewell that reaffirms the deep connection between Catholic faith and Cusco's cultural identity.
Location: Plaza Mayor of Cusco
As part of Cusco's Jubilee Month, the city's universities pay tribute with an artistic parade full of cultural identity. Each institution presents traditional dances and allegorical performances that reflect its commitment to Andean culture and its connection with the community.
A parade that showcases the talent of young people, regional pride, and the vitality of a culture that remains alive in each new generation.
Location: Plaza Mayor of Cusco
Dozens of public and private educational institutions in Cusco gather to pay tribute to the city through traditional dances. Each group presents traditional clothing, ancestral choreography, and cultural expressions that reflect the diversity and richness of Andean communities. It is a spectacle that not only honors the past but also inspires new generations to keep their heritage alive.
Location: Plaza Mayor of Cusco
EMUFEC presents the Lights and Sound Cusco 2027 show, a visual and musical experience that illuminates Cusco Cathedral with light effects, live music, and fireworks.
For approximately four hours or slightly longer, thousands of attendees, including local residents and travelers, enjoy an unforgettable evening as part of the festive spirit of the Jubilee Month. This is one of Cusco's most anticipated events, as it combines technology, art, and emotion. The show begins in the afternoon and ends at approximately 10:00 p.m., although the schedule may vary.
Location: throughout Cusco and the Andean regions in general
On June 20, when the sun reaches its lowest point in the sky in the Southern Hemisphere, Andean communities celebrate the Andean New Year (or Machaq Mara in Aymara, Inti Raymi in Quechua), coinciding with the winter solstice. It is a sacred moment of renewal and hope: the rebirth of the sun (Inti), the source of life, after the longest night of the year.
At sunrise, communities gather in ceremonial spaces, often in elevated places such as mountains or temples, to receive the first rays of the sun with their arms extended as a sign of gratitude and to ask for blessings for the new year. This ancient ritual, now celebrated with renewed pride in places such as Cusco, Puno, Bolivia, and other Andean regions, is also an expression of cultural preservation and a tribute to the legacy of the ancient peoples of Tawantinsuyu. In many cases, it is accompanied by dances, offerings to Pachamama (Mother Earth), and other rituals.
Locations: Qorikancha, Plaza de Armas, Sacsayhuamán
Inti Raymi is one of the most important and traditional events in Cusco and takes place every June 24. It is the central day of Cusco's Jubilee Month and one of the most important ceremonies on the Andean calendar.
Inspired by the ancient Inca ritual in honor of Inti, the sun god, this event marks the winter solstice, an important moment in the Andean agricultural cycle. Ancient inhabitants believed that the sun had to be honored to ensure abundant harvests and the well-being of the empire.
The performance is divided into three main acts, which take place in some of the most sacred settings of ancient Qosqo.
First act: Qorikancha
The ceremony begins at the Temple of the Sun, Qorikancha, with the appearance of the Sinchi (Commander General of the Inca army) and his army. They are followed by the Acllas, women chosen for their grace and wisdom, considered the most beautiful women in the empire.
The Tika Taqaqkunas also participate, scattering flowers along the ceremonial path followed by the Inca and his wife, the Qoya. All of this is accompanied by the sound of quenas and pututus, 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 heads to the historic Plaza de Armas, where the Sinchi, the imperial army, and representatives of the four suyos of Tahuantinsuyo appear: Chinchaysuyo, Contisuyo, Antisuyo, and Collasuyo.
The Inca and the High Priest of the Sun make a symbolic offering at an altar placed in the center of the plaza, with the purpose of ensuring good harvests, balance, and prosperity for the empire.
This act lasts approximately 40 minutes and stands out for its solemnity, symbolic power, and visual grandeur.
Final act: Sacsayhuamán
The culminating act takes place at the archaeological complex of Sacsayhuamán, one of the most impressive constructions of the Inca legacy. Here, the largest number of musicians, dancers, priests, and representatives of the four regions of the empire gather, with each group entering with its own traditional dances.
Various offerings are made, including the symbolic sacrifice of a llama, considered the main ritual of the ceremony. The final scene ends with an emotional speech by the Inca in the Quechua language, announcing good omens for his people and reaffirming the connection between the land, the sun, and the spirit of the Andean people.
Location: Paucartambo, Cusco
During these days, Paucartambo becomes a center of faith, culture, and color. Every July 16, the festival of the Virgin of Carmen, affectionately known as “Mamacha Carmen,” is celebrated and is considered one of the most important folkloric celebrations in Peru.
Thousands of devotees and visitors travel from Cusco, on a journey of approximately two hours or slightly longer, to honor the spiritual patron saint of the town. The streets fill with folk groups, music bands, and a solemn procession through the center of the town. More than a dozen folk groups portray different characters with their own costumes and choreographies, including the famous saqras, figures with demonic masks who playfully interact with the public and represent the eternal struggle between good and evil.
Location: Plaza de Armas of Cusco
Every July 28, educational institutions, government entities, and police and military forces parade through the Plaza Mayor in honor of the nation, before local authorities and citizens. The day begins with a Mass at Cusco Cathedral, followed by the solemn raising of the Peruvian flag. Music bands, ceremonial uniforms, and patriotic spirit fill the Historic Center, recalling the legacy of freedom shared by Peruvians.
Location: Plaza Regocijo, Cusco
Cusco Invites is a gastronomic event organized by EMUFEC and open to the public. During this celebration, Plaza Regocijo becomes a space filled with flavors, where visitors can taste emblematic dishes from Cusco and Peruvian cuisine.
The festive atmosphere is complemented by live music, traditional dances, and an atmosphere that celebrates Peru's culinary diversity. Cusco, recognized as one of the country's leading gastronomic destinations, opens its cuisine to the world in this celebration of tradition, creativity, and flavor.
Location: throughout the Cusco region
August 1 marks a sacred date on the Andean calendar: Pachamama Day. Since ancient times, Andean communities have made offerings to Mother Earth, expressing gratitude for what they have received and asking for abundance for the new agricultural cycle.
Offerings include chicha de jora, coca leaves, cigarettes, sweets, sometimes Port wine, and other ritual elements passed down from generation to generation.
It is a tradition that reaffirms the spiritual connection between the earth, human beings, and the universe.
Location: Plaza San Cristóbal, Cusco
Devotion to the patron saint of transport workers is celebrated joyfully in Plaza San Cristóbal. On this day, the area around the temple fills with music, dances, and religious expressions. The celebration includes cultural activities, Masses, food fairs, and handicraft exhibitions, creating an atmosphere that brings together tradition and community.
Location: Calca and Pisac, Sacred Valley
Known as Mamacha Asunta, the Virgin Asunta is the patron saint of Calca and one of the most beloved Marian figures in the Sacred Valley. Her festival is celebrated with festive dances, lively choreographies, and expressions of popular faith that attract local visitors as well as travelers from Peru and abroad.
Location: Taray, Calca, Pisac, Tinta (Canchis)
The festival in honor of Saint Bartholomew is celebrated with songs, dances, and traditional music performed with bandurrias and quenas. This traditional celebration takes place mainly in the district of Tinta from August 22 to 26 and is also celebrated in other towns of the Sacred Valley.
Location: Plaza de Armas of Cusco
Saint Rose of Lima, Patroness of the Americas and the Philippines, is honored with a civic-religious ceremony in the Plaza Mayor of Cusco. Civil, military, and police authorities, as well as institutions that consider her their patron saint, participate in a parade that combines solemnity and religious devotion. This celebration, observed throughout Peru as a national holiday, is particularly notable in Cusco due to the presence of the National Police of Peru and other security forces, who pay tribute to their patron saint.
Location: Almudena neighborhood, Cusco
The festivities begin on August 29 with the traditional flower procession, a route that starts at Plaza San Francisco and reaches the Temple of Almudena, filling the streets of the Historic Center with color and fragrance. On the central day, September 8, solemn Masses, music, and traditional dances accompany the procession of the Virgin through the Almudena neighborhood.
Location: San Salvador District – Sanctuary of the Lord of Huanca, Cusco
Every September 14, thousands of devotees travel 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 suffering Christ is a symbol of healing, faith, and hope, attracting pilgrims from throughout Peru and abroad. Surrounded by mountains, the sanctuary is one of the most important pilgrimage centers in the country.
Location: Mollepata, Anta Province
The Lord of the Exaltation is venerated with great devotion in Mollepata, where communities from throughout Anta Province gather each year. With deep roots in popular tradition, this festival brings together hundreds of pilgrims from different parts of Cusco to participate in Masses, processions, music, and traditional dances.
Location: Plaza of the San Jerónimo District, Cusco
From September 28 to October 2, the festival in honor of Saint Jerome, patron saint of the district of the same name, is one of the most representative religious celebrations of the month. It is attended not only by residents of San Jerónimo, but also by folk groups and delegations from nearby districts of Cusco.
The program includes traditional dance competitions, music festivals, art exhibitions, and food fairs showcasing the best of local culture. During the celebration, visitors can also enjoy emblematic dishes such as traditional chiriuchu and ancestral beverages such as chicha de jora.
Location: Historic Center of Cusco and districts such as San Sebastián and San Jerónimo
Although the main celebration of the Lord of Miracles takes place on October 28 in Lima, activities in Cusco begin on October 1 with the Mass marking the start of the Purple Month and the blessing of religious habits. The central day in Cusco is October 18, with processions through various streets of the city, including visits to institutions and penitentiary centers. The Purple Month concludes on October 31 with a special Mass.
Location: Historic Center of Cusco
Every October 31, the Historic Center fills with coastal music, traditional dances, and cultural activities celebrating the Creole spirit of Peru. Open-air concerts, marinera performances, and samples of traditional Peruvian food come together with Cusco's heritage in a day that celebrates one of the most authentic expressions of national identity.
Location: Oropesa, Cusco
On this date, homes and cemeteries in Oropesa fill with altars dedicated to the deceased, decorated with flowers, candles, fruits, sweets, and the emblematic t'anta wawas: breads shaped like children, horses, or other figures that represent the cycle of life. The atmosphere is festive and family-oriented, with tables filled with oven-roasted pork, Cusco-style corn tamales, and other traditional delicacies. In plazas and markets such as Plaza Túpac Amaru, numerous food stalls offer these flavors that connect generations.
Location: Cusco and rural communities
As a continuation of the All Saints' Day celebrations, the Day of the Dead is a more intimate occasion when families honor their deceased loved ones. In homes, altars are created with objects, photographs, and favorite foods of the deceased, as it is believed that they return to share the occasion with their loved ones. This tradition is especially important in the rural communities of Cusco.
Location: Plaza de Armas of Cusco
Every Christmas Eve, the Plaza de Armas becomes a large Andean market celebrating faith and folk art. Santurantikuy, which means “buy me a little saint” in Quechua, 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 decorations.
Location: Plaza de Armas of Cusco
On the night of December 31, the Plaza de Armas becomes a major meeting point where local residents and travelers gather to celebrate with music, dances, rituals, and fireworks. Among the most popular rituals, many people take flower baths prepared with herbs, flowers, and essences, which are believed to cleanse negative energy and attract well-being. Others choose to wear yellow, a symbol of good luck and abundance for the coming year.
Inti Raymi, celebrated every June 24, is one of the most representative festivals in Cusco. The ceremony recalls the ancient Inca Festival of the Sun and takes place mainly at Qorikancha, the Plaza de Armas, and Sacsayhuamán.
June is one of the months with the highest number of celebrations, as this is when the Festivities of Cusco, Corpus Christi, and Inti Raymi take place. However, religious, cultural, and traditional celebrations are held throughout the year.
Not all of them. Some celebrations have fixed dates, such as Inti Raymi on June 24 and Santurantikuy on December 24. Others, such as Carnival, Holy Week, and Corpus Christi, change dates each year according to the religious calendar.
Many activities, parades, and processions can be viewed free of charge from public spaces. However, some events may require admission, such as certain areas of Inti Raymi in Sacsayhuamán, or tourist services booked to attend the celebrations.
During celebrations such as Inti Raymi, Corpus Christi, or Holy Week, the number of visitors may increase considerably. It is advisable to book accommodation, transportation, tours, and tickets in advance, and to consider possible closures or traffic restrictions in the Historic Center.
Many of the most important celebrations take place in the Historic Center and Plaza de Armas of Cusco, although some are also held in temples, districts, communities, and nearby archaeological sites.
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