Cusco is not just the gateway to Machu Picchu, but also one of the most vibrant cultural hubs in the Andes. Throughout the year, the city and its surroundings come alive with festivals that blend pre-Hispanic heritage, colonial traditions, and living practices that remain an integral part of daily life. For travelers seeking an authentic cultural immersion, exploring Cusco’s festival calendar is a top travel tip, allowing you to plan a bucket list trip around unique, often internationally recognized celebrations.
Bajada de Reyes – January 6th
The year begins with an intimate celebration marking the official end of the Christmas season. The Bajada de Reyes is primarily observed in Cusco’s traditional neighborhoods, where families respectfully retire the figures of the Baby Jesus from their home altars. The occasion is accompanied by local music, folk dances, and special holiday dishes.
For visitors, this festivity offers a non-touristy, off-the-beaten-path opportunity to witness authentic Cusqueño family life and understand the community-centered nature of their religious traditions a true cultural immersion.
Cusco Carnival – February (variable dates)
Throughout February, Cusco transforms into a stage for collective joy. Carnivals fill streets and plazas with water fights, foam, and paint, creating a fun and participatory atmosphere. The traditional yunzas (trees decorated with gifts) bring families and communities together for celebrations where music and dance take center stage.
Beyond the festive fun, the carnivals symbolize ancestral concepts linked to fertility, abundance, and social cohesion, making them one of the most dynamic cultural experiences of the year.
Holy Week – March or April (variable date)
Holy Week in Cusco is notable for its spiritual depth and profound historical roots. The central event is the procession of the Lord of the Earthquakes, a religious figure considered the city’s protector. The image is carried through the streets amidst prayers, red ñuccho flowers, and crowds expressing collective devotion.
During these days, the city adopts a more solemn pace, offering travelers a reflective and moving experience that contrasts with the calendar’s more festive celebrations perfect for a spiritual getaway.
Cruz Velacuy – May 2nd & 3rd
This celebration is a clear expression of Andean cultural syncretism. Crosses are brought down from nearby hills, decorated with flowers, ribbons, and lights, and accompanied by community dances and rituals. The festival pays homage to both the Christian tradition and the ancestral respect for sacred mountains.
Cruz Velacuy is experienced with special intensity in neighborhoods and communities near the city, offering a deep insight into the beliefs that still structure the relationship between nature and spirituality.
Qoyllur Rit’i – May or June (variable date)
Considered one of the most awe-inspiring pilgrimages in the Andes, Qoyllur Rit’i brings together thousands of devotees who trek to the slopes of the Ausangate snow-capped mountain. The celebration combines faith, music, ancestral dances, and stunning high-mountain scenery.
Recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, this festival represents an intense and unique spiritual journey, highly valued by travelers interested in living rituals and ancient traditions.
June: Cusco’s Jubilee Month
June is the most important month in Cusco’s cultural calendar. Over several weeks, the city hosts parades, dance competitions, food festivals, and artistic activities at various iconic landmarks and venues.
Inti Raymi – June 24th
Inti Raymi, or the Festival of the Sun, is Cusco’s most iconic celebration. It reenacts an ancient Inca ritual in honor of the Sun God, with performances at Qorikancha, the Main Square (Plaza de Armas), and the Sacsayhuamán fortress. This major event attracts thousands of visitors annually and is considered one of South America’s most significant cultural spectacles.
Corpus Christi – June (variable date)
This religious festival gathers images of saints and virgins in a solemn procession. It is also famous for its traditional gastronomy, especially chiri uchu, a representative dish of Andean cuisine.
Virgen del Carmen – July 15th to 17th
Celebrated with special intensity in the town of Paucartambo, this is one of the region’s most colorful festivals. Traditional dances, elaborate masks, and spectacular costumes fill the streets for several days.
The celebration blends faith, art, and music, and is considered one of the most impressive expressions of Andean folklore.
Pachamama Raymi – August 1st
August is dedicated to Mother Earth. Pachamama Raymi is an ancestral ceremony of gratitude and respect for nature. Offerings include coca leaves, food, flowers, and traditional drinks, symbolizing harmony between humans and their environment.
For the traveler, witnessing this ritual provides a direct understanding of the Andean worldview and its connection to the landscape.
Señor de Huanca – September 14th
Thousands of pilgrims walk to the sanctuary of the Lord of Huanca in a powerful manifestation of faith and hope. This pilgrimage is one of the most important in the southern Andes, notable for its spiritual and collective character.
T’anta Raymi – October 4th
Celebrated in Oropesa, known for its baking tradition, T’anta Raymi pays homage to artisanal bread. Food festivals, cultural exhibits, and large decorative breads are part of this celebration that combines local identity and culinary heritage a must-see for foodies.
All Saints’ Day & Day of the Dead – November 1st & 2nd
November is a month of memory and tradition. Families prepare special meals and symbolic breads to remember their loved ones. Markets overflow with color and aroma, while cemeteries receive visitors bringing flowers, music, and offerings.
Far from being a sad occasion, these celebrations reflect a close relationship with memory and family legacy, offering visitors a profound and non-commercial cultural experience.
Santurantikuy – December 24th
The year culminates with Santurantikuy, the most important artisan fair in Cusco. The Main Square (Plaza de Armas) transforms into a huge marketplace where artisans from across the region display Andean nativity scenes, sculptures, and folk art.
This celebration embodies the Andean Christmas spirit and is an excellent opportunity to discover traditional crafts in a festive and authentic setting—ideal for holiday travel and finding unique souvenirs.
