10 Most Famous Festivals in Peru

Discover ten of Peru’s most iconic festivals, where tradition, culture, and joy come together to create unforgettable experiences:

• Carnival in Cajamarca: Celebrated every February, this vibrant festival is known for its playful water fights, colorful parades, and the symbolic “funeral of Ño Carnavalón,” which marks the end of carnival celebrations. This unique tradition reflects the lively spirit and cultural identity of the Cajamarca region.
• Grape Harvest Festival in Ica: Held in March, this festival celebrates the grape harvest essential for Peru’s famous wine and pisco production. It includes traditional grape stomping events, parades, tastings, and cultural contests that showcase the region’s viticultural heritage.
• Easter and Holy Week: Observed throughout Peru with great devotion, especially in Ayacucho, where solemn religious processions take place. These events are filled with faith, music, and rituals commemorating the passion, death, and resurrection of Christ.
• Festival of La Candelaria in Puno: Taking place every February, this festival gathers thousands of dancers and musicians who perform ancestral rituals in honor of the Virgin of Candelaria. Recognized by UNESCO, it is a stunning celebration of Andean spirituality and cultural richness.
• Señor de Qoyllurit’i Pilgrimage: This pilgrimage, occurring between late May and early June, draws thousands to Ausangate mountain. Pilgrims participate in symbolic dances and rituals that blend Catholic and indigenous traditions, and the festival is recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage.
• Inti Raymi in Cusco: Celebrated on June 24, the Festival of the Sun is a grand reenactment of Inca ceremonies honoring the sun god Inti. Held at the impressive Sacsayhuamán archaeological site, it is one of Peru’s most important and widely attended festivals.
• Virgin of Carmen Festival in Paucartambo: Every July, this festival—known as the ‘Festive Heart’—features historical dances and theatrical parades that tell legends and express deep local devotion to the Virgin of Carmen.
• Spring Festival in Trujillo: Celebrated in late September, this festival welcomes spring with floral parades, impressive horse shows, and the crowning of a queen, combining beauty, tradition, and festive spirit.
• Lord of the Miracles Procession in Lima: In October, thousands of devotees dress in purple robes to carry images of the Black Christ through Lima’s streets. This deeply rooted tradition represents the city’s identity and religious devotion.
• Day of Creole Song in Lima: Held on October 31, this celebration honors Peruvian creole music through dance, cultural events, and traditional foods, highlighting one of Peru’s most beloved expressions of national culture.