Cusco Events and Festivals

(Cusco / Cuzco, Peru)

The annual festivals of Cusco are nothing short of spectacular, and with the closeness of the ancient Machu Picchu site, many of these events have a strong Inca or religious theme. Things to do in Cusco are very seasonal and range from Easter celebrations during Holy Week (Semana Santa) and the El Senor de los Temblores (Lord of the Earthquakes) procession, to the spectacular Inti Raymi (Festival of the Sun) each June, which attracts people from all across Peru and beyond, and sees crowds approaching 100,000.

Many events not only take place in Cusco, but also within the surrounding Andean highlands and around the Sacred Valley, where numerous lively fiestas and public holidays are celebrated with great fervour and excitement. In the city itself, the Plaza de Armas is often where leading festivals are staged and much of the action is to be found. Soccer fans should not overlook the football matches at the Estadio Garcilaso de la Vega stadium and its home team of Cienciano.

Cusco Festivals and Events 2014 / 2015: General Information

• El Senor de los Temblores (Lord of the Earthquakes) - late March / early April, a colourful procession held on the Monday prior to Easter, remembering the historic Peruvian earthquake of 1650
• Crucix Vigil - May 2nd and 3rd, various religious events are held on all of the hillsides around the city
• Cruz Velacuy / Fiesta de las Cruces (Festival of the Crosses) - early May, a Catholic event where religious crosses are carried around the city and its nearby communities
• Festival de la Cerveza Cusquena - May / June, one of the leading music festivals in South America, lasting three days and attracting many noteworthy artists
• Q'oyoriti - May / June, a traditional Andean festival, taking place each year at the very base of the Ausangate
• Corpus Christi - May / June, religious events and processions based at Cusco's cathedral, on the 9th Thursday following Easter
• Qoyllor Ritt' I - early June, an unusual traditional Inca / Christian event at the Ausangate Peak, some 80 km / 50 miles from Cusco, where blocks of ice are carried for many miles and literally thousands of visitors enjoy the festivities
• Inti Raymi (Festival of the Sun) - June 24th, without question the number one event in Cusco, celebrated by the whole city and featuring a re-enactment of Saqsaywaman's Inca winter solstice festival, street dancing and much pageantry, around the Koricancha Temple and the Plaza de Armas
• Feast of Saints Peter and Paul - June 29th, religious events staged throughout Peru
• National Independence Days - July 28th and 29th, held in Cusco and throughout Peru
• Virgin del Carmen - mid-July, a festival of dance and music at the town of Paucartambo, some four hours from Cusco
• Cusco Touristic Month - throughout October, a festival with tourism in mind
• Todos Santos (All Saints Day) - November 1st, a religious event and national Peruvian holiday
• Dia de los Muertos (All Souls Day) - November 2nd, a festive family celebration, being particularly lively around the Sierra
• Fiesta de la Purisima Concepción (Feast of the Immaculate Conception) - December 8th, with lively religious parades honouring the Virgin Mary
• Santuranticuy Artisan Crafts Fair - December 24th, a major crafts fair held in central Cusco, at the Plaza de Armas, offering the perfect place to pick up last-minute Christmas gifts