Nestled at the outskirts of the Amazon rainforest, Peru is a picturesque paradise that not only entices nature enthusiasts or daring adventure lovers but travelers of all kinds. Desolate mountains, valleys, forests, and lakes essentially form the scenic backdrop of Peru. The country also provides excellent opportunities for hiking, sandboarding, trekking, and river rafting. As the birthplace of ancient Inca Civilization, Peru has a rich history of humanity, tribes, traditions, and culture, and the finest of all these is reflected through a series of popular Peru festivals. Here is the convenient guide on the Peru festivals that spread joy among locals and tourists.
10 Best Peru Festivals
Outlined below are several prominent Peru festivals that should be included in the wishlist. Make sure you plan your vacation here according to the dates of your preferred ones.
1. Cajamarca Carnival
2. Fiesta De las Cruces
3. Fiesta De las Cruces
4. Fiesta De LA Virgen De LA Candelaria
5. Hip Hop Barranca
6. Inti Raymi Festival
7. Dia De Santa Rosa De Lima
8. Mistura Culinary Festival
9. Puno Week
10. Santuranticuy
1. Cajamarca Carnival
This carnival is one of the most popular Peru festivals. The enthusiastic celebration with dance, music, games, competitions, and water battles makes it appealing, attracting nearly 60,000 visitors from all around the Globe. The streets are adorned with vibrant ribbons, balloons, and lights. Local residents emerge in festival attire, sing carnival songs, and drench each other with buckets of water as part of their traditions.
One can experience splendid street processions and participate in the ‘Paint day’ celebration where every person paints each other with colors, water, and flour.
Location: Cajamarca
Date: final days of February or early March
2. Fiesta De las Cruces
Fiesta De las Cruces – A Celebration of Crosses in Peru, Spain, and Hispanic America
Fiesta De las Cruces is not merely one of the most renowned Peru festivals, but it is also widely celebrated across Spain and Hispanic America. Recognized as the Festival of the Crosses, this grand event takes place every year on the third day of May. The festival was introduced in Peru by the Spaniards during their conquest and occupation of the Inca empire, where they established their traditions and culture.
On the streets, you can witness magnificent processions with individuals holding elaborate wooden crosses adorned with flowers and traditional fabrics. These processions are accompanied by folk music and dances, including the traditional scissors dance.
Location: Across the country
Date: 3rd May 2023
3. The Paucartambo Festival
The Paucartambo Festival is another renowned celebration in Peru, held to honor Virgen del Carmen (Our Lady of Mount Carmel), who is revered as the Mother of all Peruvian citizens. Local people dress up in vibrant traditional outfits, wear masks, and take part in their ancestors’ dances.
This festive occasion includes breathtaking fireworks, acrobatics, races, and captivating dance performances. Due to its religious significance, Paucartambo’s Festival of Virgen del Carmen was recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by the Peruvian National Institute of Culture in 2016.
Location: Paucartambo
Date: July 15th and 18th 2023
4. Fiesta De LA Virgen De LA Candelaria
Among the various popular Peru festivals, Fiesta De LA Virgen De LA Candelaria holds a significant place. This celebration features vibrant processions, lively folk music and dance performances, and striking parades. It takes place annually on the second day of February and is divided into three distinct segments: solemn, entertaining, and trial.
During the solemn phase, a mass is held, while the entertaining phase showcases brightly costumed dancers parading through the streets of Copacabana. The trial phase allows participants to experience, to some extent, the sufferings and sorrows of Jesus Christ by reenacting the Road to Calvary.
Place: Copacabana, Puno
Date: 31st January 2023
5. Rap Barranca
Hip Hop is one of the well-known music festivals in Peru. Together with stunning stage performances by emerging local artists and respected talents from the region, the festival also prides itself on art stroll tours, musical band performances, and personalized excursions. One can relish a custom-made excursion to famous nightclubs and pubs to take pleasure in invigorating music, performed live.
Place: Barranca
Date: 4th April 2023
6. Inti Raymi Celebration
Among all the other popular Peru festivals, this one is celebrated with utmost splendor. With street fairs, music performances by Peruvian artists and bands, and group dances; Inti Raymi Festival is celebrated around Plaza de Armas in Cusco.
Free music concerts are also arranged in the evening for everyone. But what adds to the exceptional essence of the Inti Raymi Festival is the splendid street theatrical performances about historical events where well-known Peruvian artists portray iconic historical figures.
Place: Cusco
Date: 24th June 2023
7. Dia De Santa Rosa De Lima
Location: Lima
Date: 30th August 2023
8. Mistura Culinary Festival
As the name implies, this Peru festival is about ultimate gastronomic delight and ecstasy. In this culinary extravaganza, trendy eateries to local food joints, farmers, food truck owners, and food producers treat people with freshly prepared genuine Peruvian delicacies.
From cuy al horno which is roasted guinea pig, rice, soup, quinoa, corn to the meat of chicken. pork and alpaca; one can savor the authentic flavors of everything.
Location: Lima
Date: 11th September 2023
9. Puno Week
Every year, the first week of November is celebrated in memory of Manco Capac. The festival is held around Lake Titicaca, as mythical pieces of evidence reveal that Capac rose from this ancient lake to discover the prehistoric Inca Empire.
This is one of the most popular Peru festivals, celebrated for one full week. A spectacular procession moves through the city from the shores of the lake to the town stadium accompanied by music and dance performances.
Location: Puno
Date: November 2023
10. Santuranticuy
The Christmas season in Cusco is pleasant and magnificent, but the pre-Christmas celebration is equally captivating. Santuranticuy is possibly the largest and most impressive fair for art and crafts, as well as a temporary market for Christmas, held a couple of days prior to Christmas.
In Santuranticuy, which is translated locally as ‘saints for sale’, craftsmen and sculptors from all over the country gather here to vend a variety of figurines. The local inhabitants of Cusco even create their own nativity scenes to adorn their homes.
Location: Cusco
Date: 24th December 2023
I hope that the popular festivals in Peru have captivated you enough to include them on your bucket list. The next time you plan a holiday in Peru with Travel Triangle, customize your itinerary to experience some of these vibrant celebrations and create the most wonderful memories.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Popular Festivals in Peru
What are the renowned culinary festivals in Peru?
The renowned culinary festivals in Peru are National Potato Day, Lima Food Week, and Mistura Food Festival.
What is the oldest festival in Peru?
Cajamarca Carnival is one of the oldest festivals in Peru.
Which hotels are located in Cusco?
The top hotels in Cusco are Sonesta Hotel, JW Marriott El Convento, and Tierra Viva Cusco Centra.
What are the popular music festivals in Peru?
The popular music festivals in Peru are Inti Rayami Festival, Ultra Music Festival, and Alternativo Music Festival.
What are the must-visit destinations in Peru?
The must-visit destinations in Peru are Machu Picchu, Lake Titica, The Sacred Valley, Nazca Lines, Remnants of Inca Civilization, Lima, and Cusco.
Which festival in Peru is tribal?
Inti Raymi is a tribal festival in Peru.
What are the must-see attractions in Lima?
The must-see attractions in Lima are Plaza de Armas, Larco Museum, and Hauca Pucllana.
