Location: Cusco
This ceremony is held every January 6th in the Plaza de Armas of Cusco city, starting with the presentation of chants performed by various choirs of the city, in honor of Christmas and the newborn Jesus Christ. During the ceremony, the traditional nativity scene is disassembled, an act presided over by the authorities of Cusco.
The municipal festival company of Cusco (EMUFEC) awards and honors the winning exhibitors of "Santurantikuy 2023" (a traditional Christmas fair in Cusco) as well as the winners of the Cusco Nativity contest, recognizing the work of artisans developed on December 24th each year.
Location: Cusco
This celebration has its origins in the social, familial, and friendly bonds of the ancient Andean villages and is one of the most traditional celebrations in Cusco. It is characterized by the creation of dolls representing the compadres and comadres, satirizing characters with the intention of highlighting their qualities or weaknesses.
Each year, the creativity of the residents of Cusco shines in the making of dolls that represent different female characters, highlighting their features and flaws. On this day, various activities take place, such as the creation of allegories by the "Carguyoc" (person in charge of the party), who also organize a party accompanied by good music, groups, food, and typical drinks of the region. This day occurs one Thursday before Carnival.
This day features parties, parades, costumes, dances, and typical food at the center of the celebration. The festivity is lived fervently with people spraying foam and colored paint, decorating their businesses with balloons and streamers. This is why, in the Andean world, this festivity was very important as it represented the bonds of parenthood among Andean families. This festivity is celebrated two Thursdays before Carnival.
Location: All over Cusco
The central day of carnivals in Peru is March 3rd. This festivity begins with the first rays of the sun. Unfortunately, in this part of the continent, water is used for playing, accompanied by other items such as: confetti, flour, and paint. Both men and women engage in a battle to see who can soak the opposite sex first or to the greatest extent.
The Plaza de Armas of Cusco and the Sacred Valley are some of the locations where more people participate in this festivity. On this day, it is customary in Cusco to eat one of its most traditional dishes, Timpu or Puchero.
Location: All over Cusco
This event takes place one week after Carnival Sunday and consists of ending the carnival festivities. This time, in the historic center of Cusco, dances are performed, typical dishes are displayed, and music is presented.
In some places in Cusco, it is customary to play "yunza," which involves artificially planting a tree adorned with gifts in an open space around which a group of participants, generally all known to each other, begin to dance and take turns hitting the tree trunk with an axe until it falls. The person who knocks down the tree will be in charge of organizing the party the following year.
Location: Cusco
This event marks the beginning of the Holy Week celebrations in Cusco, with the faithful attending various parishes of the city carrying palm leaves and crosses woven from the same plant, which are blessed during the Eucharistic celebrations at different churches in the city; these are then taken home and placed behind doors as a symbol of protection for the home.
Traditionally, young people from Cusco were sent to the highest parts of the "Apus" (sacred mountains) to collect these thorns, as an act of penance and spiritual aid to Christ who died on the cross.
Location: Qoricancha
The festivals of Cusco over time have been a display of the magnificence of the Inca empire, year after year, a ceremony is held to show the world the prosperity of Tahuantinsuyo. Today, this ceremony is presented by the Provincial Mayor of Cusco, through an announcement to all the people of Cusco, national and international media to inform and spread the program of activities of the Cusco festivities, thus initiating this festivity.
Location: Historic center of Cusco
Holy Week in Cusco has its central day on Holy Monday (the day after Palm Sunday) when the Juridical Patron of Cusco, the Lord of the Earthquakes, is carried in procession through the main streets of the city of Cusco. During this time, neighbors decorate their balconies and offer their prayers, often offering red flowers (ñucchu), which is the most traditional color for this celebration.
At about 7 p.m., the population of Cusco gathers in the main square to receive the traditional blessing. Here is the complete history of the Lord of the Earthquakes and the full program of Holy Week in Cusco.
The Ñucchu
Is a traditional Andean flower that grows in remote areas between 1500 and 2700 meters above sea level, traditionally used in the procession of the Lord of the Earthquakes to represent the blood spilled by the crucified Christ, the most striking feature of this flower is its bright red color.
Location: Cusco
This is a popular religious festival in the most traditionalist neighborhoods of Cusco, involving the veneration of the holy Cross, which is normally brought from the "Apus" (sacred hills) to the city. During the night, residents gather to keep vigil over the cross, accompanied by dances, songs, food, and drink.
Location: Urubamba
This is a religious festival held in the capital of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, "Urubamba". It involves a sacred cross for the local population, which is adorned with elegant jewels and fine fabrics. The main altar of the Lord of Torrechayoc is located in the neighborhood of the same name, 10 minutes from the center of Urubamba in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. During the celebration, the organized population presents dances, songs, typical dishes, and fireworks.
Location: Nevado Ausangate
One of the most traditional festivals in Cusco, declared in 2011 as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, involves a pilgrimage that starts from Cusco heading south, first by car and then on foot to the foothills of Apu Ausangate, in the Sinakara valley.
It takes place 58 days after Easter Sunday and gathers at least 90,000 people. The pilgrimage includes many dances and cultural expressions, conducted under the rules set by the Council of Pilgrim Nations and the Brotherhood of the Lord of Qoyllurit’i, who also organize the pilgrimage.
Location: Cusco, San Francisco Square
One of the most traditional celebrations in Cusco involves the procession of 15 images of Saints from the main churches, which leave their temples to process to the Cathedral of Cusco.
Each sacred image is carried on a litter by a group of parishioners who form a brotherhood. Each brotherhood organizes musical bands and dances that accompany the image throughout its route, accompanied by the traditional "Chiri Uchu" (cold food), one of the most traditional dishes of Cusco.
Location: Cusco, Plaza de Armas
On this day, an offering is made to Pachamama (Mother Earth), marking the start of the Festivals of Cusco.
This day officially begins the celebrations in honor of Cusco. The municipal festival company of Cusco (EMUFEC) is responsible for organizing the ceremony, which starts with a tribute to Pachamama, enacted in the main square of Cusco. Thousands of people, both national and foreign, attend this ceremony.
Location: Cusco
This is a race that will take place for the first time in 2024, with the participation of the Peruvian population.
Location: Cusco Cathedral
Location: Plaza de Armas of Cusco
This day is celebrated after 8 days of Corpus Christi, according to legends, the saints "debate" about the behavior of the devotees during the year and decide to perform one last procession around the main square to say goodbye and return to their respective temples.
Location: San Francisco Square - Cusco
This is a festival that gathers both local residents and foreigners, as it is a gastronomic festival whose main dish is chiriuchu, an emblematic dish of the Corpus Christi festival, dating back to the time of the Incas and the colony, its meaning translates to (Chiri = cold and uchu = chili).
It includes ingredients like boiled chicken, baked guinea pig, charqui or chalona, accompanied with rich flour tortillas or pancakes, toasted corn, cheese, blood sausage, cochayuyo (seaweed), sausage, and fish roe or "cau-cau", and for those who like spicy, the indispensable rocoto is present.
Location: Main Square of Cusco
Most institutions in Cusco, both public and private, organize to pay homage to Cusco, through the native dances of the region they display their costumes and demonstrate the cultural diversity of Cusco.
Location: Main Square of Cusco
Location: Main Square of Cusco
Location: Main Square of Cusco
Location: Plaza de Armas of Cusco
Location: Plaza de Armas of Cusco
The parade of universities (the most important are UNSAAC and Andina) perform a presentation of the various dances in homage to Cusco. This parade begins in the morning and extends into the late night, making it a day of festivity in the city.
Location: Plaza de Armas of Cusco
The municipal festival company of Cusco (EMUFEC) organizes this event featuring a live music show, a light display, and culminating with fireworks. A large portion of the population of Cusco, as well as visitors from around the world, gather in the main square to witness the spectacle, which each year is gaining momentum and becoming a draw for the general public. The show lasts about 4 hours and begins in the afternoon, ending no later than 10 p.m.
Location: Plaza de Armas of Cusco
In this parade, representatives from all the provinces of Cusco showcase their traditional costumes.
Location: Plaza de Armas of Cusco
This parade is characterized by each company or organization based in Cusco presenting their salute to the city of Cusco, in a street parade that lasts into the late hours of the night.
Location: Cusco
This is the central day of the Cusco festivals, celebrated since the time of the Incas, it is a ceremony that has transcended time and has been passed down as a legacy to the people of Cusco. For the Andean world, "Inti Raymi" is the most important day on the Inca calendar, celebrated in homage to the most revered divinity of the Incas, the "Inti" or Sun.
Currently, a dramatization of this ceremony is performed at the archaeological site of Sacsayhuaman, with the route including the Inca temple Qoricancha, the Plaza de Armas, and culminating at the archaeological site of Sacsayhuaman.
It is believed that this ceremony originated during the reign of Pachacutec in the 15th century B.C., starting with the winter solstice with the belief that if they celebrated a great feast in honor of the sun, it would not depart and thus they would have greater abundance.
This first part of the ceremony begins with the appearance of the "Sinchi" or the General Commander of the Inca Imperial Army and his army, accompanied by the most beautiful women of the entire empire "Acllas", followed by the "Tika Taqaqkunas" a group of people who were in charge of scattering flowers on the path of the Inca and his wife the "Qoya", being accompanied to the rhythm of quenas and pututos. This first scene lasts about half an hour.
This second act begins with the appearance of the "Sinchi", the Inca Imperial Army, and representatives of the four suyos (Chinchaysuyo, Contisuyo, Antisuyo, Collasuyo) accompanied by incredible background music. With the appearance of the Inca and the high priest, the offering begins, performed on an altar built in the middle of the square in honor of the sun, lasting 40 minutes.
This is the last and most important act of the entire route, taking place at the Sacsayhuaman enclosure, with a massive presence of musicians, dancers, and singers. The ceremony begins with the entrance of representatives of the four suyos with their respective dances, followed by offerings with the sacrifice of a llama (the main ritual) and an announcement by the Inca in Quechua, predicting good fortune.
Location: Paucartambo
Paucartambo is one of the 13 provinces of the department of Cusco, and the festival of the Virgin of Carmen is the second most important folk event in Peru, after the festival of the Candelaria celebrated in Puno.
Paucartambo is located 4 hours from the city of Cusco by car on a paved road. During July, thousands of faithful devotees of the Virgin of Carmen “Mamacha del Carmen” head to Paucartambo to be part of this festivity.
Location: Plaza de Armas of Cusco
This year 2023, Peru celebrates 201 years of independence, and Cusco is not indifferent to this celebration. The main event commemorating independence is the civic military parade, in which primary and secondary students from Cusco schools, the 5th mountain brigade, and the main city authorities participate.
The Cusco population and national and foreign visitors who are in the main square attend the event. The date of this event may vary each year but is celebrated before July 28, the central day of Peru's independence.
Location: Plaza Regocijo of Cusco
This is a culinary event developed and organized by the municipal festival company of Cusco (EMUFEC) with the collaboration of the city's most renowned chefs, held in homage to Peruvian gastronomy.
Cusco is one of the main gastronomic destinations in Peru. The event is open to the public and attracts locals as well as visitors from all over the world. The event features performances by musical groups and traditional dances from the region.
Location: All of Cusco
This ceremony is performed by Andean inhabitants from the first day of August and throughout the month. It has been conducted for many years, being an ancestral ritual.
In Cusco, offering ceremonies are also held in many institutions and homes. Offerings to the earth include chicha de jora, coca leaves, cigarettes, candies, "porto" wine, and other ingredients known only to the ancient Andean people.
Location: Cusco - San Cristóbal Square
This festival is celebrated in honor of the "patron of transporters", accompanied by dances, musical orchestras, and more. This takes place in the courtyard of the San Cristóbal temple amid cultural activities, religious events, artisan and gastronomic fairs.
Location: Calca - Pisac
The patroness of Calca, also known as Mamacha Asunta, is celebrated with various dances, some of which are very entertaining. Many national and international tourists visit this locality to be part of this grand celebration.
Location: Calca Pisac Taray – Canchis Tinta
Also called patron Saint Bartholomew, this customary festival is celebrated with dancing and singing to the rhythm of bandurrias and quenas; held in the district of Tinta from August 22 to 26.
Location: Plaza de Armas of Cusco
The feast is held in honor of the Patroness of the Americas and the Philippines. The celebration involves civil, military, police authorities, and various institutions that regard Santa Rosa de Lima, “the patroness of America,” as their Holy Patroness.
This is a religious celebration at the national level, hence it is celebrated across almost all departments of Peru. It is a national holiday, and in Cusco, a civic parade is held mainly involving the police forces.
Location: Sanka - Acomayo - Cusco
This is a family-oriented celebration marked by much merriment and festivity. On the central day, a parade with dances and groups takes place, accompanied by a statue of Santa Rosa de Lima. This day is very special for the community as residents from the area gather with people from other regions, referred to as "relatives or visitors." In the evening, fireworks are lit and other activities take place.
Location: Cusco - Almudena Neighborhood
This festival begins on August 29 with a traditional flower parade that starts at San Francisco Square and heads towards the Almudena temple. On the central day, music and various folk dances accompany the Virgin. Almudena is one of the oldest and most traditional neighborhoods in Cusco.
Location: San Salvador - Huanca - Cusco
The Lord of Huanca is an image of the martyred Christ that inspires great fervor and devotion among Catholics in Cusco and Peru. The sanctuary of the Lord of Huanca is located in the district of San Salvador, and each year thousands of pilgrims from Cusco, nationally and internationally, travel 48 kilometers on foot to pay tribute to this revered image.
Location: Anta - Mollepata
Celebrated annually, this festival sees pilgrims from all the communities of the province gather in admiration and reverence for the patron Saint Bartholomew.
Location: Cusco - Esplanade of Sacsayhuaman
Performed by the students of the Glorious National College of Sciences, this is an Andean ritual involving various epic tests of the Inca period to which the young nobles were subjected to demonstrate maturity and readiness, marking their transition to adult citizenship. It is a celebration of a military nature.
Location: San Jeronimo Square
This religious festival is celebrated with dance contests, music festivals, artistic exhibitions, and gastronomic fairs. Participants include not only the residents of the San Jeronimo district but also groups from other nearby districts of Cusco.
Location: District of Oropesa
The Tanta Raymi or Feast of Bread is celebrated in the town of Oropesa, where artisanal bakers from the area participate by preparing various types of bread, each adding a personal touch before showcasing them.
Oropesa is known for producing the best bread in Peru and was highly rated at the last national gastronomy fair Mistura. During the festival, many national and international tourists visit the town to sample this famous Chuta bread.
Location: Historic Center of Cusco
The Day of the Creole Song is a very traditional celebration in Peru, especially in the north, as Creole music originated in the Barrios Altos district in Lima; however, Cusco also embraces these celebrations, and each year this date is marked by various cultural activities including concerts and typical dances, as well as showcasing traditional dishes.
Location: Tupac Amaru Square in Cusco
The Cusqueño Tupac Amaru II was one of the most illustrious figures in Peruvian history, being the first to instigate the indigenous rebellion that inspired many revolutionary movements worldwide.
The ceremony involves delegations from Cusco schools, the armed forces, and the main regional authorities. It is a formal event where homage is paid through poetry, dance, and floral tributes.
Location: Plaza de Armas of Cusco
Residents from different localities in Cusco travel to the city to trade their best specimens of medicinal plants. It is an opportunity for enthusiasts of natural medicine to acquire the finest healing plants from the region.
Location: Plaza de Armas of Cusco
The Santurantikuy fair, meaning "buy me a little saint" in Spanish, is held on Christmas Eve and draws people from different Andean provinces and Cusco artisans, who offer their products at a well-organized fair in the main square of Cusco.
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