Jan 1st

Entrega de Varas (the entrance of the staff bearer) At the beginning of the year the elders of each town or community gather together in the cathedral or main church to celebrate the position of highest authority (the Vayaroc). The new Varayoc receives a Vara (a wooden scepter), the symbol of authority of the town, village or region.

Jan 6th

Bajada de Reyes: A typical religious festival celebrated in Ollantaytambo, Cusco.

Jan 20th

El Chiaraje: is a ritual battle to ensure the fertility of the land, located outside of Cusco.

Feb 01-12

Candelaria Festival:  Celebrated in Puno, where the large statue of the Virgen del Candelaria is carried through the streets in an elaborate procession.

Feb Mar

Carnival: The communities organize parades and dancing; street festivals and huge water fights can be witnessed (and participated in) across the cities and towns. This culminates with the special Yunza ritual where a tree is decorated with gifts and colored streamers. Participators then dance around the tree, after which it is ceremoniously felled.

Mar 1st W.

Lunahuana Adventure Sports festival:  South of Lima.

Mar 2sd W.

Wine Festival: Also called The Festival de la Vendimia in Ica.

Apr

Holy Week (Semana Santa): Is the most famous religious festival, celebrated all over Peru. In Cusco there is a special celebration dedicated to the Lord of the Earthquakes, El Señor de los Temblores.

Peruvian Paso Horse Festival: Celebrated in Arequipa.

May 1st

Virgen de Chapi: Celebrated in Pachacamac, Lima.

May 3rd

Cruz Velacuy: Festival of the cross, celebrated in all the villages of Peru.

Jun

Qoyllor Rit’y festival: Celebrated in Cusco by the towns located near Mt. Ausangate, it incorporates the Corpus Christi ceremony.

Jun

Corpus Christi:  A traditional and religious festival celebrated in Andean cities. During this holiday you can enjoy the typical dish Chiri Uchu, in and around Cusco.

Jun 24th

Inti Raymi:  In Cusco and Ollantaytambo the locals remember the most important festival of Inca times. On the day of the winter solstice, they continue to celebrate the Inti Raymi in Sacsayhuaman, with a powerful ceremony of thanksgiving and spiritual preparation for the coming year.

Jul

Virgen Del Carmen:  Religious folkloric festival celebrated in Paucartambo, Cusco. This event is particularly noted for its distinctive masked dancers, who create a spectacular sight as they parade through the narrow streets of this small colonial town.

Jul 28th

Peruvian Independence Day: The National Celebration of our Independence from Spain in 1828. Some villages also celebrate the Yawar Fiesta (Blood Festival).

Aug 1st

Pachamama Ceremony:  Dedicated to Mother Earth and celebrated all over Peru.

Aug 30th

Santa Rosa de Lima Festival:  Celebrated in Lima and all over Peru.

Sep

Spring Festival:  Celebrated particularly in Trujillo and all over Peru.

Sep

Lord Huanca Festival:  A religious festivity located in San Salvador outside Cusco.

Oct 4th

Virgen del Rosario Festival: A religious festivity of the Dominican Order.

Oct 18th
28th

The Lord of the Miracles: Celebrated in Lima.

Oct 3rd W.

Señor de Luren: Celebrated in Ica.

Nov 1st
2sd

All Saints Day and Day of the Dead: A religious ceremony in memory of our ancestors, celebrated all over Peru.

Dec 25th

Christmas (La Navidad):  For this holiday our artists and craftspeople create their most stunning works, such as Christmas retablos, images that consist of tiny human figures, animals, and Christian saints, carved inside beautiful gourds called “Mates burilados”.