Cusco festivals

Cusco, January 2025.

January 6 – Bajada de Reyes (Descent of the Kings) – Ollantaytambo: 

The “Bajada de Reyes” marks the official end of the Christmas season in Cusco. On this day, families gather to take down their nativity scenes, and in the morning, they attend mass in honor of the Three Wise Men. In the town of Ollantaytambo, the celebration becomes a beautiful fusion of Catholic tradition and Andean customs.

In this Andean town, the celebration lasts three days. Locals organize a grand procession symbolizing the arrival of the Wise Men at the manger. The images of Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthazar are carried through the town’s traditional streets, accompanied by singing, music from local bands, and traditional dances.

Dances and Traditional Costumes
One of the most vibrant aspects of this celebration is the participation of traditional dance groups. Dancers wear colorful Andean costumes and masks that bring to life ancestral stories and cultural identity.

January 6 – Festival of Niño San Cristóbal – San Cristóbal:

Worshippers gather in the San Cristóbal neighborhood to give thanks for the blessings received and to ask for protection in the new year. The church is adorned with flowers and lights, and filled with heartfelt songs and prayers. A special mass is held, followed by a procession of the Niño de San Cristóbal through the streets.

January 17 – Feast of Saint Anthony the Abbot – San Cristóbal:

Also known as the patron saint of animals, this traditional celebration takes place on January 17 in the historic neighborhood of San Cristóbal. Devotees honor Saint Anthony with prayers for the health of their animals. The celebration combines religious rituals with cultural expressions, reflecting the community’s deep connection to nature and faith.

January 20 – Feast of Saint Sebastian – District of San Sebastián:

This is one of the most celebrated festivals in the district of San Sebastián. The patronal feast includes solemn processions where the image of Saint Sebastian is carried through the streets by worshippers dressed in traditional attire, accompanied by musicians playing Andean melodies. The festival also features food fairs offering iconic dishes like chicharrón and chiriucho, as well as nighttime folk dance shows and fireworks that light up the Andean sky—drawing both locals and visitors.

January 20 – Feast of the Virgin Queen of Bethlehem – Belén Neighborhood:

With colonial roots, this festivity honors the Virgin Queen of Bethlehem. The image was brought by the first evangelizers to encourage Christian faith among locals. She is cherished as a loving, protective mother and has become a symbol of hope and spirituality for the community.

Cusco, February2025.

February 3 – Feast of Saint Blaise – San Blas Neighborhood:

Celebrated in the iconic San Blas neighborhood, this festival is one of the most unique religious and cultural expressions in Cusco. Known for its bohemian atmosphere and artistic tradition, San Blas pays tribute to its patron saint through a mix of devotion, art, and folklore that captivates both locals and visitors.

February 9 – Festival of the Niño Compadrito – Santa Ana Neighborhood:

Every February 9, the Santa Ana neighborhood hosts one of Cusco’s most emblematic celebrations. It begins with a traditional mass, where the image of the Niño Compadrito is placed on a beautifully decorated altar filled with flowers and offerings.

February 27 – Compadres Day – All Neighborhoods of Cusco:

This traditional festival takes place on the Thursday before Carnival Sunday. It pays tribute to the compadres—godfathers or close family friends—who play a vital role in Andean social and family life. The celebration is an expression of unity, respect, and brotherhood.

Although its roots are ancient, the festival has a lively, communal spirit that remains strong throughout Cusco’s neighborhoods, with each community honoring its own traditions.

Cusco, March 2025.

March 6 – Comadres Day – All Neighborhoods of Cusco:

Just like Compadres Day, Comadres Day is one of Cusco’s most fun and colorful traditions. A highlight of this celebration is the creation of monigotes—satirical dolls made from old clothes, straw, paper, and exaggerated accessories. These humorous figures are hung from balconies, poles, and plazas with funny signs that playfully tease or tell anecdotes about the comadres (godmothers or close women friends)}

March 24: Palm Sunday – The Beginning of Holy Week in Cusco.

If you’re visiting Cusco during Holy Week, Palm Sunday marks the beginning of a truly meaningful experience. On this day, you’ll see locals heading to churches throughout the city, carrying palm fronds and handmade crosses woven from the same plant. These are blessed during Mass and then taken home to be placed behind doors as a symbol of spiritual protection.

In ancient times, young people from Cusco would climb to the highest peaks of the sacred mountains, called apus, to collect thorns. It was a powerful act of penance and a way to offer spiritual support to Christ. As a visitor, witnessing or even participating in these traditions gives you a deeper connection to the culture and history that make this city so special.

Cusco, April 2025. 

April 16: Presentation of the Cusco Festival

Location: Qoricancha

If you happen to be in Cusco on April 16, you’re in for a special treat. This is the day when the city officially kicks off its most important cultural celebration the Cusco Festival. Held at the historic Qoricancha temple, the ceremony honors the rich traditions of the Inca Empire and announces the start of a season filled with music, color, and heritage.

The event is led by Cusco’s provincial mayor and broadcast across national and international channels. As a visitor, it’s a great opportunity to witness how modern-day Cusco proudly celebrates its ancient roots, sharing the spirit of the Tahuantinsuyu Empire with the world. Keep an eye out for the full calendar of events—it’s the beginning of a truly unforgettable cultural experience.

April 15: Procession of the Lord of the Earthquakes

Location: Historic Center of Cusco

If you’re in Cusco during Holy Week, don’t miss the deeply moving Procession of the Lord of the Earthquakes on Holy Monday the city’s most important religious event. On this day, the beloved patron saint of Cusco, known as Cristo Moreno, is carried through the historic streets in a solemn procession filled with faith, tradition, and emotion.

You’ll see balconies beautifully decorated, and locals lining the streets, offering heartfelt prayers and scattering bright red ñucchu flowers symbols of devotion and sacrifice.

At 7:00 p.m., make your way to the Plaza de Armas, where the entire city gathers for the powerful traditional blessing. It’s an unforgettable experience that connects you with the soul of Cusco.

What is the Ñucchu?

The ñucchu is a native Andean flower that grows in the Cusco region between 1,500 and 2,700 meters above sea level. Its vibrant red petals symbolize the blood of Christ, making it a meaningful offering during this sacred procession.

Cusco, May 2025. 

May 23: Lord of Torrechayoc

Location: Urubamba

If you’re in the Sacred Valley in late May, make sure to experience the Festival of the Lord of Torrechayoc in Urubamba. This vibrant religious celebration honors a sacred cross that’s deeply revered by the local community. You’ll see it beautifully decorated with fine fabrics and shining jewelry, a reflection of both devotion and tradition.

The main altar is just 10 minutes from the center of Urubamba, in the neighborhood of Torrechayoc. During the festival, locals come together to celebrate with traditional dances, live music, and colorful fireworks. It’s a heartfelt and joyful event that gives you a glimpse into the spiritual and cultural roots of the Sacred Valley.

May 27: Pilgrimage to the Lord of Qoyllurit’

Location: Ausangate Mountain

If you’re up for a once-in-a-lifetime cultural experience, consider joining the pilgrimage to the Lord of Qoyllurit’i, one of the most important spiritual events in the Andes. Taking place on the slopes of Ausangate Mountain, this pilgrimage has been recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

The journey begins in Mahuayani and ends at the Sinakara Valley, drawing over 90,000 pilgrims who gather to honor El Señor de Qoyllurit’i. You’ll walk alongside thousands of others in a powerful expression of faith, tradition, and connection to nature.

If you decide to participate or attend, keep in mind that the event is guided by strict codes of respect and conduct, set by the Council of Pilgrim Nations and the Brotherhood of the Lord of Qoyllurit’i, who are in charge of organizing the pilgrimage.

This isn’t just a festival it’s a sacred journey into the spiritual heart of the Andes.

Cusco, jun 2025. 

June 1: Pachamama Offering Ceremony

Location: Plaza de Armas, Cusco

If you’re in Cusco on June 1st, you’ll witness a deeply meaningful tradition: the offering to Pachamama (Mother Earth). This sacred ceremony marks the beginning of Cusco’s jubilee month, a time filled with festivities that celebrate the city’s rich history and vibrant culture.

The ceremony takes place in the Plaza de Armas, where you’ll see traditional rituals performed in honor of Pachamama. It’s a beautiful moment of connection between people, nature, and the spiritual world—something truly special to experience as a visitor.

The celebrations throughout June are organized by EMEFEC (Cusco Municipal Festivities Company), which coordinates the wide variety of events honoring Cusco.

June 2: Great Qosqo 10K Hatun Phaway Race.

Location: Cusco

Love a good run? The Great Qosqo 10K Hatun Phaway is the perfect way to be part of the city’s energy in a more active way. This 10-kilometer race, first held in 2024, brings together locals and visitors alike in a festive and athletic celebration of Cusco.

Whether you’re running or cheering from the sidelines, you’ll feel the spirit of the city as participants race through historic streets with the Andes as their backdrop. It’s not just a competition—it’s a joyful expression of community, health, and Cusco’s dynamic culture.

June 19: Corpus Christi.

Location: Plaza San Francisco, Cusco

If you’re in Cusco around mid-June, don’t miss Corpus Christi, one of the city’s most traditional and visually captivating religious festivals. On this day, 15 sacred images of saints leave their home churches and are carried in a grand procession to the Cusco Cathedral.

Each image is mounted on a beautifully adorned float and carried by members of a local brotherhood, accompanied by live music and traditional dances. The atmosphere is joyful, reverent, and full of color.

And while you’re taking it all in, make sure to try chiri uchu, a traditional Cusqueñan dish served especially during this celebration. It’s a cold plate made up of local delicacies and offers you a real taste of the region’s unique culinary heritage.

June 24: Inti Raymi – The Sun Festival

Main locations: Qoricancha, Plaza de Armas, and Sacsayhuamán Fortress

On June 24th, you’ll have the rare chance to witness Inti Raymi, one of the most iconic and spiritual celebrations in Peru. This is the Festival of the Sun, held in honor of Inti, the most important deity in the Inca religion.

The day begins at the Qoricancha (Temple of the Sun), continues through the Plaza de Armas, and culminates in an impressive reenactment at Sacsayhuamán Fortress, just outside the city. You’ll see actors in full traditional attire recreating ancient rituals, chants, and offerings that once welcomed the winter solstice—the Inca New Year.

The festival, originally established by Inca Pachacútec, celebrates the sun’s return after the longest night of the year. Even today, locals and indigenous communities from all over the Andes come together to keep this powerful tradition alive.

If you’re looking to experience living Inca history, Inti Raymi is the event you won’t want to miss.

Cusco, July 2025. 

July 15 – Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

Location: Paucartambo, Pisac & Huarocondo

If you’re in Cusco in mid-July, you’re in for a deeply spiritual and cultural experience. The Festival of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is celebrated with heartfelt devotion in towns like Paucartambo, Pisac, and Huarocondo.

In Paucartambo, you’ll witness the beloved Mamacha Carmen honored with elaborate processions, vibrant traditional dances like the Chunchos and Saqras, and streets overflowing with color, music, and symbolism. It’s one of the most unforgettable celebrations in the region.

In Pisac, the festival is beautifully intertwined with local craft fairs and bustling markets. As the Virgin is carried in procession, she’s surrounded by flowers, music, and the joyful spirit of the community.

And in Huarocondo, the celebrations include mass, music, dance, and the lively atmosphere of a traditional Cusqueñan fiesta—ending with a dazzling fireworks show that lights up the night sky in her honor.

Cusco, August 2025. 

August 1 – Pachamama Day (Mother Earth Day)

Sacred Sites around Cusco, including Sacsayhuamán and the Apus

August 1st marks Pachamama Day, a sacred celebration in the Andean spiritual calendar. On this day, you’re invited to witness or take part in ceremonies that honor Mother Earth, or Pachamama, with gratitude for past harvests and prayers for fertility and abundance in the seasons to come.

Locals and visitors gather at sacred sites like Sacsayhuamán and around the Apus—the sacred mountains—to participate in ancestral rituals. You’ll see offerings of coca leaves, flowers, chicha, and other symbolic items placed on ritual tables. These offerings, or “payments to the earth,” are conducted by Andean priests (paqos) and reflect a profound respect and spiritual connection to nature.

It’s a powerful moment to witness Andean culture at its most authentic—where the ancient and the spiritual are still very much alive.

Cusco, September 2025.

September 14 – Lord of Huanca

Location : San Salvador, 48 km from Cusco

If you’re visiting Cusco in mid-September, don’t miss one of the most moving religious pilgrimages in the region. Every September 14, thousands of faithful from across South America make their way through stunning mountain landscapes to reach the Sanctuary of the Lord of Huanca in San Salvador.

According to local tradition, this sacred site became a place of deep devotion after the miraculous appearance of Christ’s image in a cave during colonial times. Today, many people travel to this remote sanctuary in search of healing, miracles, and protection. It’s a powerful experience that speaks to the spiritual heart of the Andes and the enduring faith of its people.

September 30 – Patron Saint Jerome

Location: San Jerónimo District, Cusco

Toward the end of the month, you’ll have the chance to witness the vibrant Festival of Saint Jerome, or San Jerónimo, celebrated from September 27 to 30, with the main day on the 30th.

This festival honors Doctor of the Church and Patron Saint Jerome, whose image is carried in procession twice a year once during Corpus Christi and again for his feast day in the district that bears his name. Expect colorful parades, traditional music, and a strong sense of community as the San Jerónimo district comes alive with faith and festivity.

Cusco, October 2025.

October 31 – Halloween & Creole Song Day

On October 31st, Cusco bursts with a vibrant mix of cultures. While Halloween has become popular with the younger crowd—think costume parties, themed events at bars and clubs, and lots of spooky fun—Creole Song Day (Día de la Canción Criolla) brings a strong touch of tradition to the night.

If you find yourself at the Plaza de Armas, you’ll see a lively blend of colorful costumes alongside performances of traditional Peruvian music. Locals and visitors come together to celebrate both creativity and heritage, showing how Cusco can embrace new trends while proudly keeping its cultural roots. It’s a night full of energy, contrast, and community spirit.

Cusco, November 2025. 

November 1 – All Saints’ Day
This day carries deep spiritual meaning for families in Cusco. On All Saints’ Day, you’ll see people visiting cemeteries with flowers, candles, and special food offerings like lechón (roasted pork) and wawa bread—a sweet, baby-shaped bread symbolizing life and renewal.

If you’re in Cusco during this time, you’ll experience a beautiful blend of Christian and Andean traditions. Families come together not just to mourn but to celebrate the lives of their loved ones, sharing stories, meals, and prayers in a heartfelt way.

November 2 – Day of the Dead.

The Day of the Dead is quieter and more intimate. It’s believed that on this day, the spirits of those who have passed return to visit their families. You might notice altars inside homes, decorated with photos, favorite foods, and personal mementos of the departed.

In many rural communities, this tradition remains especially strong, reflecting a worldview where death is seen not as an end but as part of an ongoing journey. If you’re lucky enough to be invited to a family gathering or ceremony, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the strong bond Peruvians maintain with their ancestors.

Cusco, December 2025. 

December 24: Santurantikuy – Plaza de Armas, Cusco

Every December 24th, Cusco’s Plaza de Armas comes alive with one of Latin America’s oldest and most cherished Christmas traditions: Santurantikuy. Here, artisans and vendors from all over the region gather to showcase their handmade creations and unique products. The fair buzzes with joy, color, and the true spirit of Christmas.

Santurantikuy means “sale of saints” in Quechua, but it’s so much more than a market. It’s a celebration where art, culture, and spirituality come together, inviting both locals and visitors to be part of something truly special and heartfelt.

December 31: New Year’s Eve in Cusco

The night of December 31st is one of the most magical times to be in Cusco. The city fills with excitement, vibrant colors, and a unique mix of ancient Andean traditions and modern festivities. As you say goodbye to the old year and welcome the new one, you’ll experience ancestral rituals, live music, and a breathtaking fireworks display lighting up the Andean sky.

Festivities in Cusco: A Year of Tradition and Faith

If you’re planning to visit Cusco in 2025, don’t miss the chance to join in these incredible celebrations. Taking part in them is more than just sightseeing—it’s a way to truly feel the soul and power of an ancient culture that will leave a lasting impression on you. Cusco isn’t just a place you visit—it’s a place you experience and carry with you forever.