June 1st – 7th: Chachapoyas’ Tourist Week. Chachapoyas, Amazonas. Filled with recreational, social, and cultural activities, the highlight of this event is “el Raymillacta de los Chachapoyas”, which gathers dancers from all the regional communities to demonstrate the best of their traditional dances.

August 7th – 15th: Feast of Saint Mary of the Assumption. Chachapoyas, Amazonas. The image of the Virgin is carried through the city streets of Chachapoyas, which are covered with multicolored carpets of flowers. Many cultural activities, artisanal and agricultural fairs, dances, typical food tasting, and Peruvian Paso horse presentations take place.

September 7th – 12th: Festival of Saint Nicolas de Tolentino and the Virgin of the Nativity. Rodriguez de Mendoza, Amazonas. This is a festival of traditional customs in which everyone participates. Gastronomical and agricultural fairs and recreational and tourist activities take place.  

July 25th: Anniversary of Huaraz. Huaraz. Ancash. Civic, cultural, and artistic activities organized by the Provincial Government take place in the main streets of the city.

August 13th - 22nd: "Mama Ashu" Virgin of the Assumption. Chacas, Ancash. Liturgical, social, cultural and sporting activities take place.

February or March (fluctuates): Carnival Festival of Camaná. Camaná, Arequipa. The guachanacos (masked riders) ride through the city streets three days before, inviting the population to join the carnival festivities. The “yunsa” or “cortamonte” festivity happens on the main day of the celebration. On that day, you can enjoy the wonderful dishes of this place.

May / 1: Virgen de Chapi. Arequipa. Pilgrimage crossing the Arequipa desert to worship the Virgin of Purification or Virgin of Chapi. The pilgrims carry rocks of different sizes they will leave before Chapi, making the so-called apachetas, symbolizing the devout’s sins. In a night-long wake, the image of the miraculous Virgin is surrounded by candles to then leave in procession. There are also fireworks and typical foods.

May 4th: Anniversary of Cotahuasi. LaUnion, Cotahuasi. Arequipa. It is the most important traditional festival of the province. There are bull fights and group dance competitions, and visits to the different attractions in the region are promoted.

August: Anniversary of the city of Arequipa. Arequipa. For this celebration, the city organizes the International Fair of Arequipa located on MountJuli, artisanal exhibitions in the Fundo El Fierro, the Festidanza dance festival, and the international Climb Mount Misti contest. The main day, 15th August, is when the Friendship Parade takes place.

February – March: Ayacucho Carnival. For three days, enjoy the parade composed of marchers wearing traditional dress, regional music, food testing like the traditional puchero and chicha de jora.

March - April / movable: Easter. With its 33 churches, Ayacucho presents on this date the most fervent Andean staging of the Way of the Cross, with several daily processions on the city’s streets. At dawn Christ Resurrected leaves the cathedral, a moment that the faithful wait for after a night-long wake around bonfires they light in the Main Square to fight the cold. They all carry the Lord in joy on a wax portable altar.

April 25th: Anniversary of the Founding of the city of Huamanga. Huamanga, Ayacucho. Cultural activities, sporting events, contests, handicrafts expositions, andtesting of typical dishes are featured.

May 3: Festival of the Crosses and Avocado Festival. Huanta, Lauricocha, Ayacucho. This celebration is very distinctive since hundreds of people from towns all over the Andes and the jungle show up carrying crosses of differing sizes and weights. The people carry their crosses and participate in a race around the perimeter of the Main Square of Luricocha (beginning and ending at the church). The area is also famous for its 42 different species of avocados.

June 24th: Chaccu in Pampa Galeras. Barbara d’Achille National Reserve at Pampa Galeras, Ayacucho. This traditional festival consists of creating a human fence to surround and trap the vicuñas that will be sheered. Before the chaccu, the local people perform the pagapu, an ancient ceremony of giving thanks to the Pachamama or Mother Earth and the Andean gods for protecting their animals. Vicuña fur is extremely sought after for its high quality and value in the international market.

August 5th: Virgen de las Nieves (Virgin of the snows). Parinacochas, Cora Cora, Ayacucho. This religious festival consists of cultural activities, fairs, exhibitions, and bull fights where nationally and internationally renowned toreros participate.
 
August 15th: Fiesta de la Virgen de la Asunción (Feast of Assumption Mary). Cangallo, Ayacucho. A religious festival full of cultural activities, Peruvian Paso horse demonstrations, bull fights, fairs, exhibitions, and traditional dancing.

August 20th – 26th: Yaku Raymi (Water Festival). Lucanas, Andamarca, Ayacucho. It is a ceremony to clean the canals accompanied by the pagapu, an ancient rite of giving thanks to the Pachamama or Mother Earth and the Andean gods, a contest among the Danzantes de Tijera (Scissors Dances), and other ancestral celebrations.

September 24th: San Miguel Arcangel (Saint Michael the Archangel). La Mar, San Miguel, Ayacucho. San Miguel’s huge agricultural, artisanal, and folkloric fair with tourist activities and adventure sport events.

October 4th: San Francisco. La Mar, Ayna, Ayacucho. Fairs and exhibitions, adventure sports activities on the river, hiking, processions, and native dancing.

December 2nd – 9th: Homenaje a la Libertad Americana (South American Freedom Week). Huamanga, Quinua, Ayacucho. The Battle of Ayacucho, where the Spanish were defeated by the patriots in 1824, was the decisive moment in the emancipation of South America. It was the Morochucos, horseback riders from the Cangallo region, who took the fight against the Spanish. To celebrate this, sporting events for athletes from all over Peru and the other Bolivian countries – Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, and others – are organized. Typical food and ceramics are sold, and there is a popular party with musical groups from all over the department.

March (variable): Cajamarca Carnival / February. Cajamarca. This is one of the most important celebrations in the department. Every neighborhood prepares itself for different contests like dance and music. The people organize a parade and accompany the Momo King, while other groups simultaneously dance and sing, spreading joy through the streets. The nights are the time to crown queens, to see popular dancing, and to taste traditional food and drink. This celebration lasts for one month with eight main days. 

March - April / movable: Crosses of Porcon. Cajamarca Region. Location: Granja Porcón, north of Cajamarca (2720 masl / 8924 fasl). In this festivity, immense reed and palm crosses parade the Porcón valley. They are all decorated with oval and round mirrors (representing the souls of the dead) and with images of Virgin Mary, the Sacred Heart and several saints. On Palm Sunday, the central day, crosses are crowned, prayers are sung in Quechua and Latin, and people march in procession to church. During the procession, “angels” haul the “señorca”, a female donkey representing the triumphal entrance of Jesus in Jerusalem. By road: Granja Porcón, 30 km / 19 miles (55 min) from Cajamarca. By the road to Bambamarca, take detour at km 20.

June 24th: Saint John the Baptist’s Day. Chota, Cutervo, and San Pablo, Cajamarca. There are religious activities, social and artisanal expositions in honor of Saint John the Baptist, patron of the Districts.

July 24th – 31st: Cajamarca FONGAL Fair. Baños del Inca. Cajamarca. The people exhibit and sell cattle, agricultural products, handicraft and more. There is also a Peruvian Paso horse contest and Marinera dancing.

September 23rd – 25th: Lord of Huamantanga. Jaen, Cajamarca. A regional fair known for its religious, cultural, and sporting activities.

March – April (variable date): Holy Week - Expo Oxa. Oxapampa, Pasco. Holy Week is the time chosen by the descendents of the Austrian-German settlers to organize parties with samples of food and dances brought over from Europe at the beginning of the twentieth century. Additionally, farming and handcrafted product exhibitions take place as well as drawing and painting competitions.

Entire month of May: Festival of the Crosses. Pasco and Daniel A. Carrion. A religious festival dating back to the Vice Royal Period organized by the so-called Majordomos (masters of ceremonies in charge of organizing and managing the feast). People go out on the streets performing old dances like the Chunguinada, the Baile Viejo or the Negreria.

July 24th – 30th: Eco-tourist Festival and Anniversary of the Arrival of the Austrian-German Settlers. Oxapampa, Pozuzo, Huancabamba, Oxapampa, and Chontabamba, Pasco. To commemorate the arrival of the German and Austrian settlers, a variety of events are organized: beauty pageants, sanctuary visits, a motocross race and a dance competition.

July 25th – 30th: Eco tourist Festival of the Indigenous Communities - Coffee Festival. Oxapampa, Villa Rica, Pasco. It is an opportunity to explore the interesting eco-tourist circuits and the coffee and fruit plantations in the indigenous communities, to watch traditional dances and sample food from the region.

August 25th – 31th: Tourist Week and Feast of the Oxapampa Patron Saint. Oxapampa, Pasco. The week begins with a mass and a procession in honor of Santa Rosa of Lima. There are also beauty contests, a motocross race, agricultural fairs, and sampling of typical food.

First weekend of September: RURALTUR Eco-tourist Festival of Rural and Tourist Communities. Pasco, Huayllay, Pasco. The festival is celebrated in the Huayllay National Sanctuary with several activities such as offerings to the Pachamama (Mother Earth), llama load-carrying contests, Andean gymkhana, spinning competitions, and pottery demonstrations in addition to rock-climbing contests among different universities and hikes around the eleven tourist circuits.

October 4th – 8th: “Promised Land of Pozuzo” Eco-tourist Cattle Festival. Oxapampa, Pozuzo, Pasco. An agricultural fair that serves as a backdrop for motocross competitions, cock fights, testing of typical food, and popular dance contests.

January 20th: Ch’iaraje. Canas, Yanaoca (Community of Checa), Cusco. A ritual fight among the people of the communities of Checa and Quehue who struggle against each other in war games to stimulate the fertility of the land. The winning community receives the larger portion of land. The men are armed with slings, leather whips, and sticks and dress in vests decorated with flowers. The women assist by caring for the horses, collecting stones, and cheering for the men with songs.

February 2nd: Toqto Fights. Chumbivilcas, Livitaca (Toctopata), Cusco. These take place in Toqto, a town located between the Districts of Yanaoca and Livitaca. The fights last three days and represent the past when the people fought to receive more land. On the first day, people settle down in the place; the second day, one-on-one fights begin, and later, groups of five to ten men are formed. After eating and drinking, everyone fights on the third day, and when the games end, the wounded are taken care of and the communities perform the qhaswa (a party for both winners and losers)

Variable: Qoyllority. Quispicanchi, Ocongate, Cusco. A pilgrimage to the summit of MountSinaqara. Along the way, there is a procession, some dancing, musical groups performances, fireworks, and a symbolic alasitas market (works in miniature). This festival unites two traditions – Andean and Catholic – since it celebrates both the image of Christ that appeared on a rock at 4750 masl / 15.584 fasl and the worship of the Apu Ausangate.

Variable: Lord of Torrechayoc. Urubamba, Cusco. This festival began in 1860 when an enormous cross was placed in the snow, and the opening of a section of railway (Urubamba-Lares) was celebrated with a mass. Years later, the cross was carried to the city of Urubamba where they began a worship of it. In addition to a mass, the cross is carried in a procession with all its jewels. There are fireworks, parades of dancers, bullfights, and cockfights.
 
Variable: Corpus Christi. Cusco. A procession of sixteen sculptures of much venerated patron saints. The procession is partially formed by music and folklore dance groups. The traditional food is the chiri uchu, roasted Guinea pig with jerky, toasted corn, rocoto (hot pepper), boiled chicken, cheese, seaweed, fish eggs, and corn tortilla. 

June 24th: Inti Raymi. Cusco Region. Inti Raymi is the Sun’s festivity. It coincides with the winter solstice and the harvests season. The Sacsayhuaman fortress is the stage for the ceremony, following a detailed script, including the sacrifice of two llamas to tell the future. The Inca, who urges the authorities in Cusco’s main square to govern well, presides over the ceremony. At dusk, the Inca announces the end of the day’s ceremonies and merry-making starts.

May - June / movable: Corpus Christi. Cusco Region. Fifteen saints and virgins from different Cusco districts arrive at the cathedral in procession to salute Christ’s body in the form of a consecrated wafer kept in the fabulous 26-kg massif gold custody. During the night wake, typical dishes, such as chiriuchu (guinea pig and hot peppers), chicha and corn bread, are served. As soon as the sun rises, the parade starts around the main square, and then the images enter the cathedral to salute each other. Finally, the delegations go back to their churches in the midst of songs and prayers.

June first week: Qoyllur Rit'i. Cusco Region. The largest pilgrimage of all indigenous nations of the Americas. More than 10 thousand people arrive in Sinakara, at the foot of the Ausangate mountain (6362 masl / 20873 fasl), to pay homage to a painting of Child Jesus. The ascent of a group of strong Queros to the snow-capped summit to seek the Star of the Snow (Qoyllur Rit’i) in the mountain’s heart is full of symbolism. They will take large blocks of ice on their shoulders back to their Quechua communities to water their lands with sacred water.

July 15th and 16th: The Virgin of El Carmen. Cusco Region. The Virgin of El Carmen or Mamacha Carmen, patroness of mixed-blood people, is worshipped in a colorful procession of her image along the village streets. Music and singing in Quechua, and groups representing passages of the history of Peru. On the central day, the Virgin blesses the attendants and casts off demons that perform risky acrobacies on roof tops. The grand finale, is a war against demons in which the faithful triumph.

July 25th – 29th: Quillabamba Fests. La Convencion, Santa Ana, Cusco. This is the anniversary celebration of the Province of La Convencion whose capital is Quillabamba. Every year, a Coffee Queen or “Miss Quillabamba” is chosen. There are also cockfight tournaments, motocross competitions, and the Cocla Fair, which features a music fest with national and international artists.

August 1st: Pachamama Raymi or Earth Mother Day. The entire department. Cusco. On this day, the following festivals takes place: Pachamamaraymi in the District of Ccatca, Wataqallariy in the District of Maras, and Kinturaymi in Huasao in the District of Oropesa. This is an Andean ritual that worships and gives tribute to the Pachamama (Mother Earth) in a special ceremony called “payment to the earth” with offerings of coca leaves, chicha de jora, and huayruro seeds (mystical jungle seeds). The rite marks the beginning of the Andean New Year.

September 14th: Lord of Huanca. Calca, San Salvador, Cusco. The story of the Lord of Huanca began in 1675 when, it is said, Jesus Christ appeared in a cave to Diego Quispe, an Indian. His vivid story inspired one of the best painters of the time to reproduce the picture on a rock. The worship (recognized in 1779) reaches its climax on 14th September, and believers arrive from all over Peru and Bolivia in search of cures for their physical and spiritual afflictions.

December 24th: Santuranticuy. Cusco. This fair takes place in the Cusco Main Square and brings together artisans to sell a large variety of sacred representations, woodcarvings, and pottery to put nativity scenes together.

December 31th – January 2nd: Niño Callaorcarpino and Jacobo. Huancavelica. This festival is a massive pilgrimage to Chaccllatacana located 4 kilometers from Huancavelica. Among the festival activities are the dance of the negritos, a bull fight in the Andean style of an open ring, and the farewell cortamonte (tree decorated with gifts and fruits and while dancing the tree is cut), that ends the celebration.

January 4th – 7th: Epiphany. Huancavelica. Considered the most complete and typical popular festival, it is the representation of the journey the Three Wise Men took to Jerusalem. The highlight is the dance of the pastorcitos (little shepherds) in front of the Church of San Francisco and the Quichka Machu, a wise and grotesque character.

January (variable): Festival of the Niño Dulce Nombre de Jesus or the “Lost Child”. Huancavelica. It commemorates the search for the boy Jesus who was found by his parents in the Temple with the Teachers of the Law. The celebration that includes songs and dances stretches out for four days. There is the fantastic competition among the dancers of the Negritos that happens through the main streets of the city.

March – April: Holy Week. Huancavelica. The celebration begins with the procession of the Sorrowful Virgin on Friday followed by the Palm Sunday mass and massive nightly processions for personal reflection.

May – June (variable): Feast of the Holy Spirit. Huancavelica. Feast of the patron of Huancavelica where the Holy Spirit is worshipped with customary expressions like the chaskiy bull, the chutay bull, and the pukllay bull, performed by different neighborhoods during the week. This feast begins with the Lowering of the Crosses, accompanied by the traditional wakrapukus (cattle horns), harawis (songs), and the sounding of the sacred pututo conch shell horns.

December 24th – 28th: Galas, Laicas o Tusuq. Huancavelica. An ancient dance performed even today as a classic dance and magical/religious ritual with choreographed parts that represent characters such as the Pachamama (Earth Mother), Hananpacha (realm of the gods), and Ucupacha (underworld) as well as aspects of Andean popular life. The presentation, which takes place at the Church of San Francisco, is linked to graceful and skillful movements and abilities.

December 24th– January 19th: Festival of the Negritos. Huánuco. This festival commemorates a historical fact: on Christmas Day 1648, a wealthy Spanishman freed his black slaves, who celebrated dancing around the Nativity scene. Today, this celebration features the Cofradias de los Negritos (Brotherhood of the Slaves), who march through the streets dancing and showing their colorful costumes until they reach the Nativity scene where they wait for the arrival of the Baby Jesus.

July 27th: Festival of the Sun. Dos de Mayo, La Union, Huánuco. Festival of the Sun, or Inti Raymi, is a deep-rooted custom in Andean tradition. It takes place in the Ushno, or Main Square, of the Inca fortress of Huanuco Pampa.

August 15th: Anniversary of the Spanish Founding of Huanuco. An agricultural, industrial, and handicraft fair is organized, as well as performances by musical groups and excursions to the main regional tourist attractions. 

October 15th: Anniversary of Tingo Maria. Leoncio Prado, Rupa Rupa (Tingo Maria), Huánuco. The celebration begins with a musical show of typical songs and dances of the region. There is also an agricultural, handicraft and tourist fair. In addition, adventure sport competitions take place featuring mountain biking and whitewater rafting on the HuallagaRiver.

February: Negro Summer Festival. El Carmen, Chincha, Ica. This is an Afro-Peruvian dance contest. There are also craft, wine and food fairs as well as main street parades.

March: Wine Grape Festival. Chincha and Ica, Ica. This is a celebration of the grape harvest and the wine making in the department. Fairs, contests, parades with floats, musical festivals, and parties are organized. The Wine Grape Queen is chosen, and she is the first to start crushing the grapes that make the wines, piscos, and other liquors.

March or April: Easter in Ica. This festival starts on Palm Sunday with the procession of the Lord of the Triumph and ends with the resurrection procession, also known as “The Drunken Procession”. The streets are decorated with flower carpets and triumphal arches.

September: Tourist Week of Ica. There are Peruvian Paso horse exhibitions, cock fights, wine contests, pisco testing, visits of different bodegas, and the International Sandboard Contest.

September – October: Yauca Virgin of the Rosary. Yauca del Rosario at Ica. It is a massive pilgrimage with thousands of followers walking 25 km / 16 miles from Ica to the district of Yauca del Rosario. A traditional fair and novenas take place.
 
First Friday to third Monday October: Lord of Luren. Ica Region. The origin of devotion for the Lord of Luren, patron of the city of Ica, dates back to 1570, when it was mysteriously lost in the desert to reappear in a desolate place called Luren, where a small temple and a hospital for Indians were built. On the central day, the wooden image of Christ in agony, accompanied by the Virgin Mary and Magdalene, leaves in procession to parade the entire city all night until dawn.

January / February: Marinera Festival. La Libertad Region. The Mansiche Arena in Trujillo is the stage for the National Marinera Contest, the most elegant by couples dance in Peru. Different categories and choreographic styles are judged. Both dancers swirl while waving a white kerchief and executing a number of characteristic steps. The made dancer wears a poncho and a hat, and if riding horse back, he does so on a Peruvian Paso horse. His lady wears a beautiful typical regional dress.

February: Huanchaco Carnival. Trujillo. The Huanchaco Carnival originated at the beginning of the twentieth century, inspired by the Venice Carnival. The tradition was updated twenty years ago, and today the celebration includes the election of the Carnival Queen, floats, parades, people in costumes, carnival dances, and contests.
 
March: Surfing Championship. Chicama, La Libertad. It takes place in MalabrigoBeach (also known as ChicamaBeach) and surfers from all over the world participate. This beach is worldwide famous for the largest left handed wave in the world.

March: Saint Joseph Festival. Trujillo, Las Delicias Beach Resort at La Libertad. Emulating Spanish traditions, these festivities feature typical Spanish dishes and drinks, people dress up and the streets and houses are decorated in the Spanish style. Besides processions of Peruvian Paso horses, heifers freed like in Pamplona, a bull festival, and a bull fight, tascas (bars), tunas (musical groups), and tablaos (Flemish dances) are organized.

September 29th: Peruvian Pace Horse National Contest. Trujillo, La Libertad. It is organized by the Peruvian Paso Horse Breeders and Owners Association of Trujillo in the framework of the International Spring Festival. The horses dance the Marinera guided through slight movements of the reins by the experienced chalanes (riders).

September / October: International Spring Festival. La Libertad Region. Colonial Trujillo streets and houses are decorated for the floats parade led by the Queen of Spring, followed by foreign and Peruvian beauty queens. Skillful cheerleaders from abroad also catch the bystanders attention.

January 5th: Founding of Iquitos. Province of Maynas, district of Iquitos, Loreto. A joyful celebration with civic parades and parties that everyone participate in.

June 23 to 25: Saint John. Loreto, and Ucayali Regions. The most important festivity of the Amazon symbolizes the renewal of faith under the figure of Saint John the Baptist and the power of water, a vital element in the entire Amazon region. This is why, in Iquitos and Pucallpa (Yarinacocha), the people get purified in the waters of rivers or lakes. On this date, there are also music festivals and typical dances, produce and crafts fairs, and typical dishes, such as the famous juanes (rice tamales) representing the Saint’s head.

June: Feast of Saint John. Maynas, Loreto. The feast of John the Baptist takes on a symbolic character since water is a vital element throughout the entire Amazon Rainforest. You can listen to local bands and try typical food of the area.

February (variable date): Madre de Dios Carnaval. There are parades that move along the main streets of the city, marching contests, a beauty queen contest, and the election of Miss Manguare and King Momo.

Variable date: NDO EDN DARI Festival - Festival of my Land. Tambopata, Madre de Dios. The purpose of this festival is to strengthen the Amazonian cultural identity through dance contests, traditional activities and food, mystic ceremonies (payments to the land and ayahuasca vision quest) as well as promote the research done on ayahuasca through a congress of investigators.

July 10th: Anniversary of Puerto Maldonado. Tambopata, Puerto Maldonado Madre de Dios. Competitions like regattas and motorcycle races, food testings and a beauty queen contest take place during the week.

September (variable): Festival of the Reyna del Cañaveral (Sugar Cane Queen). Tambopata, Madre de Dios. The following events take place: the picture presentation of “The Incas, Corner Stone”, cooking and cocktail contest, Southern Macro-Region Hotel Congress, Venice Night at the Port Authority headquarters, and a Gastronomic Festival.

December 26th: Anniversary of Madre de Dios. The celebrations start at night with parties, serenades, and dances. There are parades, athletic tournaments, and artisanal and Christmas fairs on the main day.

May 3rd and 4th: Feast of Alacitas and Las Cruces. Puno. It is a special occasion where the inhabitants sell miniature handcrafted items, symbolizing the things anyone wishes to possess like houses, cars, money, etc, in different fairs located along the main streets of each city. Bolivian artisans also participate in this festival.

November 1st to 7th: Anniversary of the Founding of the City of Puno. To celebrate the city, the school pupils are in charge of organizing civic demonstrations and dance shows throughout the city streets. On 5th November, the people present an account of the creation of the Inca Empire, the legend that tells how the mythic couple Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo emerged from the sacred lake in search of land to found the Empire.

February / first half: Virgen de la Candelaria. Puno Region. Location: city of Puno (3808 masl / 12493 fasl). On the central day, the Virgin parades the city in a colorful procession, followed by more than 200 bands of musicians and a similar number of groups who dance around the city and compete for prizes in the local stadium. The festivity is related to the pre-Hispanic farming cycles of planting and harvesting (worshipping Pachamama or Mother Earth), as well as with the region’s mining activity.