Best Events in Peru

Experience Peru's vibrant festivals: Carnival, Inti Raymi, and more

Vibrant cultural festival celebration with traditional dance and costumes.

Peru’s Major Festivals: A Month-by-Month Guide

January – March

Marinera Festival (Festival de la Marinera)

  • When: Last week of January
  • Where: Trujillo
  • What to Expect: A vibrant, week-long national dance competition celebrating the Marinera, Peru’s elegant national dance. Expect parades, dance-offs, and beautifully costumed performers.
  • Traveler Tip: This is a major event in Northern Peru. Book flights and hotels in Trujillo 3-4 months in advance.

Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria

  • When: First two weeks of February
  • Where: Puno
  • What to Expect: One of South America’s largest cultural festivals, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage event. It combines Catholic traditions with Andean spirituality, featuring thousands of dancers and musicians in elaborate costumes around Lake Titicaca.
  • Traveler Tip: Puno’s high altitude (3,827m / 12,556 ft) requires acclimatization. Accommodation is scarce and prices are high; book up to a year in advance.

Carnaval

  • When: The week before Ash Wednesday (typically late February or early March)
  • Where: Nationwide, with the most famous celebration in Cajamarca.
  • What to Expect: A joyous, raucous celebration involving water fights, foam parties, parades, music, and dancing. Be prepared to get wet!
  • Traveler Tip: Protect your electronics in waterproof bags. Participate with a fun-loving attitude, but be aware of your surroundings in large crowds.

April – June

Semana Santa (Holy Week)

  • When: The week leading up to Easter Sunday (March or April)
  • Where: Nationwide, with major celebrations in Ayacucho and Cusco.
  • What to Expect: Solemn and elaborate religious processions depicting the Passion of Christ. Streets are carpeted with flowers, and candlelit parades take place at night.
  • Traveler Tip: Ayacucho is considered the epicenter. This is a peak domestic travel week, so book everything well in advance.

Qoyllur Rit’i (Snow Star Festival)

  • When: Late May or early June (on the full moon before Corpus Christi)
  • Where: Sinakara Valley, near Cusco
  • What to Expect: A unique and spiritual pilgrimage blending Andean and Catholic beliefs. Thousands of pilgrims hike to a glacier at high altitude. This is an intense, authentic experience, not a typical tourist festival.
  • Traveler Tip: For adventurous and physically fit travelers only, due to the high altitude and strenuous hike. Best experienced with a specialized local guide.

Corpus Christi

  • When: Nine weeks after Easter (late May or June)
  • Where: Cusco
  • What to Expect: A spectacular procession where large statues of 15 saints and virgins from various Cusco districts are paraded around the Plaza de Armas to “visit” the body of Christ in the Cathedral.
  • Traveler Tip: A great opportunity to see Cusco’s living culture. The main procession day is incredibly crowded; find a spot on a balcony restaurant for the best views.

Inti Raymi (Festival of the Sun)

  • When: June 24th
  • Where: Cusco (Qorikancha, Plaza de Armas, and Saqsaywaman)
  • What to Expect: A massive, theatrical reenactment of the most important Inca ceremony, honoring the sun god Inti. The main event takes place at the fortress of Saqsaywaman with hundreds of actors in traditional costume.
  • Traveler Tip: This is Cusco’s biggest event. Book hotels 6-8 months prior. You must buy tickets for the grandstand seats at Saqsaywaman; free viewing is possible but extremely crowded and offers limited visibility.

July – September

Fiestas Patrias (Peruvian Independence Day)

  • When: July 28th and 29th
  • Where: Nationwide, with the largest celebrations in Lima.
  • What to Expect: A major national holiday marked by patriotism. Expect military parades, flag-waving, traditional food fairs (ferias), and fireworks. Many Peruvians travel during this time.
  • Traveler Tip: Banks, shops, and official services will be closed. Transport can be fully booked. It’s a festive time but requires advance planning for any inter-city travel.

Santa Rosa de Lima Day

  • When: August 30th
  • Where: Lima and nationwide
  • What to Expect: A national holiday honoring the patron saint of Peru and the Americas. Religious processions are held, with the main one in Lima’s historic center.
  • Traveler Tip: A quieter, more religious holiday compared to Fiestas Patrias. Expect some service closures.

October – December

Señor de los Milagros (Lord of Miracles)

  • When: Throughout October, with major processions on specific dates.
  • Where: Lima
  • What to Expect: One of the largest religious processions in the world. Hundreds of thousands of devotees, dressed in purple, accompany a massive colonial-era mural of Christ through the streets of Lima.
  • Traveler Tip: The atmosphere is one of intense devotion. Be respectful when observing. The crowds are immense, so be vigilant with your belongings.

DĂ­a de Todos los Santos & DĂ­a de los Difuntos (All Saints’ & All Souls’ Day)

  • When: November 1st and 2nd
  • Where: Nationwide, especially in Andean communities.
  • What to Expect: Families gather in cemeteries to honor their deceased relatives. They clean the graves and leave offerings of food, drink, and flowers in a festive, commemorative atmosphere.
  • Traveler Tip: Visiting a local cemetery (like Almudena in Cusco) can be a fascinating cultural experience. Always be respectful, keep a low profile, and ask before taking photos of people.

Santurantikuy (The Selling of Saints)

  • When: December 24th
  • Where: Plaza de Armas, Cusco
  • What to Expect: A huge, traditional Christmas market that takes over Cusco’s main square. Artisans from surrounding villages come to sell handcrafted nativity scenes, religious icons (santos), and other crafts.
  • Traveler Tip: A wonderful place to buy authentic souvenirs. Arrive early in the day to avoid the biggest crowds and get the best selection.

Planning Your Trip Around a Major Event

Booking and Logistics

  • Book in Advance: For major events like Inti Raymi or Candelaria, book flights, buses, and accommodation at least 6-9 months ahead. For others, 3-4 months is recommended.
  • Expect Higher Prices: Costs for hotels and even some restaurants will increase significantly during festival periods. Budget accordingly.
  • Factor in Delays: Streets are often closed for parades and processions. Plan for longer travel times within cities and be flexible with your schedule.

On-the-Ground Experience

  • Crowd Safety: Be aware of your surroundings and keep valuables secure and out of sight. Pickpocketing can be an issue in dense crowds.
  • Respectful Observation: Many of these events are deeply religious. Be quiet and respectful during solemn processions, dress modestly, and always ask for permission before taking close-up photos of individuals.
  • Embrace the Energy: While crowded and sometimes chaotic, these festivals are the heart of Peruvian culture. Go with the flow, try the street food, and enjoy the unique atmosphere.