Cusco in January 2025

January 6: Bajada de Reyes – Ollantaytambo

The Bajada de Reyes marks the official end of Christmas celebrations in Cusco. Families gather to take down their nativity scenes and attend masses honoring the Three Wise Men. In Ollantaytambo, the event becomes a vibrant mix of religious devotion and festive tradition rooted in the local culture.

In this Andean town, the celebration lasts three days. Residents organize a procession symbolizing the arrival of the Wise Men at the nativity scene. Statues of Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthazar are paraded through the cobblestone streets, accompanied by chants, local band music, and traditional dances.

Traditional dances and costumes

One of the most captivating aspects of the Bajada de Reyes in Ollantaytambo is the participation of dance troupes. Dancers wear colorful costumes, including masks, and perform traditional dances that narrate local and ancestral stories.

January 6: Niño San Cristóbal – San Cristóbal

Devotees visit San Cristóbal to give thanks for the blessings received and to seek protection for the coming year. The church, beautifully decorated with flowers and lights, fills with hymns and prayers reflecting the deep devotion of the attendees. After the mass, a procession is held in honor of the Niño de San Cristóbal.

January 17: Feast of San Antonio Abad – San Cristóbal

The Feast of San Antonio Abad, also known as the celebration of the patron saint of animals, is a spiritual and traditional event celebrated every January 17 in Cusco's San Cristóbal neighborhood. On this day, devotees pay tribute to the saint who protects animals and health. The festivities combine religious rituals and cultural expressions, showcasing the community’s deep connection to nature and faith.

January 20: Feast of San Sebastián

The festival in Cusco of San Sebastián stands out as one of the most important celebrations in this district. The event includes solemn processions where the statue of the saint is paraded through the streets, accompanied by devotees dressed in traditional attire and musicians playing folk melodies. Popular fairs offer iconic dishes such as chicharrón, and the evenings feature folk dance performances and fireworks that light up the sky, drawing both locals and visitors.

January 20: Feast of the Virgen Reina de Belén – Barrio de Belén

The devotion to the Virgen Reina de Belén dates back to colonial times when early missionaries brought the image to the neighborhood to promote Christian faith among locals. Depicted as a loving and protective mother, the Virgen de Belén quickly became a symbol of hope and spiritual guidance for the community.

Cusco in February 2025

February 2: Feast of the Virgen Purificada – San Pedro Church 

The Feast of the Virgen Purificada, celebrated every February 2 at San Pedro Church, is one of Cusco's most cherished religious festivals. This event, marking Candlemas Day, blends Catholic rituals with Andean customs, creating a spiritually and culturally rich celebration.

February 3: Feast of San Blas – Barrio de San Blas

The Feast of San Blas, celebrated every February 3 in the iconic Barrio de San Blas, is one of Cusco’s most unique cultural and religious events. Known for its bohemian vibe and artistic tradition, the neighborhood pays homage to its patron saint with a celebration that combines devotion, art, and folklore, attracting locals and tourists alike.

February 9: Feast of Niño Compadrito – Barrio de Santa Ana 

Held every February 9 in the historic Barrio de Santa Ana, this celebration is one of the area’s most defining events. The day begins with a solemn mass at Santa Ana Church, where the statue of Niño Compadrito is placed on an altar adorned with flowers, candles, and offerings.

February 27: Día de los Compadres – All neighborhoods of Cusco

Día de los Compadres celebrated the Thursday before Carnival Sunday, marks the start of Carnival festivities in Cusco. This day honors compadres, important figures in Andean social and family structures who embody unity, respect, and brotherhood.

Though rooted in ancient traditions, the festive and communal spirit of this day remains vibrant across all of Cusco’s neighborhoods.

Cusco in March 2025

March 6: Día de las Comadres – All neighborhoods of Cusco  

Similar to Día de los Compadres, one of the highlights of this celebration is the satirical effigies, or monigotes, representing the comadres. Made with old clothes, straw, paper, and exaggerated accessories, these effigies are hung from balconies, poles, or displayed in plazas. Each one is paired with humorous signs that comically highlight anecdotes or characteristics of the honored women.

March 9: Cusco Carnival – Citywide Celebrations

The Cusco Carnival dates back to colonial times when European Carnival traditions merged with Andean rituals giving thanks to Pachamama for the harvest’s abundance. This fusion created a unique celebration reflecting the region’s cultural identity, blending faith, humor, and creativity.

Carnival festival in Cusco is a time for fun and relaxation before Lent begins. It holds a special charm as it unites all communities across the city and the Sacred Valley in joyous festivities.

Cusco in April 2025 

April 13: Palm Sunday – All Churches in Cusco

In Cusco, this festival Palm Sunday is celebrated with deep reverence and joy, incorporating local elements that enhance the experience. Worshippers gather at churches carrying crosses and palm weavings decorated with flowers, wheat stalks, and sometimes small bread or fruits. These palm arrangements, symbols of peace and hope, are blessed during the mass and taken home as protection for the household.

April 14: Procession of the Lord of Earthquakes – Plaza de Armas, Cusco

This solemn and faith-filled festival in Cusco brings thousands of devotees to the Plaza de Armas to honor the Señor de los Temblores, the patron saint and protector of Cusco. The crucified Christ statue, known locally as Taytacha Temblores, arrived in Cusco during the colonial period and is credited with halting the devastating earthquake of 1650. Since then, it has been venerated as a symbol of protection against natural disasters and other dangers.

April 17: Maundy Thursday – Visit of the Seven Churches in Cusco

On this day, the traditional Visit of the Seven Churches gathers thousands of worshippers and visitors, who walk through Cusco’s most iconic temples to reflect on the moments leading up to Christ’s crucifixion.

Interesting note » The Visit of the Seven Churches has roots in Christianity and is observed in many cities worldwide. In Cusco, the tradition takes on a special character due to the historical and spiritual significance of its churches, which are not only places of worship but also architectural treasures that reflect the blending of Andean and Spanish cultures.

April 13–20: Holy Week – Celebrations Across Peru

Holy Week in Cusco is one of Peru's most important and solemn religious festivities. During this week, the country is filled with spirituality, tradition, and culture. Celebrations range from solemn processions in historic cities to unique rituals in rural communities, showcasing the rich diversity of Peruvian traditions.

Cusco in May 2025

May 3: Cruz Velacuy

The Cruz Velacuy, celebrated on May 3, is one of the most meaningful festivals in Cusco and the Andean communities. Also known as the Festival of the Crosses, it blends religious and cultural elements that honor crosses as symbols of protection in the lives of these communities.

May 19: Señor de Torrechayoc in Cusco

The Señor de Torrechayoc, the patron of Urubamba, is celebrated with one of the most important religious festivities in the Sacred Valley. The main event, held on a variable date in May, brings together worshippers and visitors in an atmosphere of devotion and joy. Activities take place in the main square, local churches, and even the city’s stadium, which gives this celebration a distinctive character.

Cusco in June 2025

June 15–18: Señor de Qoyllority

The pilgrimage to the sanctuary is at the heart of the Señor de Qoyllority festival. Pilgrims, known as almas, walk for hours carrying offerings and are accompanied by nations, and groups representing communities from Cusco, Puno, and nearby regions. These groups are led by ukukus, mythical characters symbolizing Andean bears, who play a central role in the rituals.

At the sanctuary, devotees attend masses, prayers, and offerings to the Señor de Qoyllority, depicted in an image painted on a rock. The nations perform traditional dances that highlight the connection between the spiritual and earthly realms.

June 19: Corpus Christi – Plaza de Armas and Plaza San Francisco 

Corpus Christi commemorates the presence of Christ in the Eucharist and stands as one of the most solemn Catholic celebrations. The event begins with the arrival of saints’ and virgins’ statues from city parishes and nearby communities. Figures like the Virgin of Almudena, San Sebastián, and San Jerónimo are carried on ornately decorated platforms to the Cathedral in Cusco's Plaza de Armas.

The festival is also an opportunity to enjoy folk dances, traditional music accompanying the processions, and chiriuchu, a classic Cusco dish served cold.

Read More » Corpus Christi in Cusco

June 24: Inti Raymi – Plaza de Armas and Sacsayhuaman

On June 24, Cusco hosts the Inti Raymi, one of the most significant and iconic festivals of Andean culture. Known as the Festival of the Sun, it honors the Inti, the Inca sun god, and marks the winter solstice in the southern hemisphere, a pivotal moment in the Andean worldview.

The Inti Raymi, reenacted with grandeur in the Plaza de Armas and the expansive Sacsayhuaman esplanade, draws thousands of attendees from around the world who come to witness this event steeped in history, tradition, and spirituality.

Fun Fact » The Inti Raymi was the largest festival of the Inca Empire, established by the Inca Pachacútec to pay tribute to the sun god, the source of life and prosperity. It was celebrated at the end of the harvest, marking the start of a new agricultural cycle.

Cusco in July 2025

July 15: Virgen del Carmen – Paucartambo, Pisac, and Huarocondo

The Virgen del Carmen Festival, celebrated on July 15, unites communities like Paucartambo, Pisac, and Huarocondo in a tribute filled with faith, culture, and tradition.

• In Paucartambo, Mamacha Carmen is honored with solemn processions and iconic dances such as the Chunchos and Saqras, which fill the streets with color and symbolism.
• In Pisac, the festivities include craft fairs and local markets, where the Virgin is accompanied in a flower-adorned procession with Andean music.
• In Huarocondo, the focus is on community devotion with masses, dances, and the traditional festivals in Cusco burning of castillos (firework towers).

Cusco in September 2025

September 14: Señor de Huanca – San Salvador

The Señor de Huanca, venerated at the sanctuary in the district of San Salvador, 48 kilometers from Cusco, holds deep spiritual significance in the region. According to tradition, the devotion began in colonial times after the appearance of a Christ figure in a cave, turning the site into a major center of pilgrimage.

Every September 14, thousands of faithful from Cusco and across South America journey through the mountainous landscape to reach the sanctuary, seeking miracles and protection. This deeply rooted tradition highlights the spiritual and cultural importance of the Señor de Huanca in the region.

September 30: Patron Saint San Jerónimo – San Jerónimo District

The celebration honoring Patron Saint San Jerónimo runs annually from September 27 to 30, with the main day falling on the 30th. The saint's image is paraded in procession twice a year: during Corpus Christi in Cusco and this patronal festival in the district of San Jerónimo.

Cusco in December 2025

December 24: Santurantikuy – Plaza de Armas, Cusco

The Santurantikuy, held every December 24, is one of Latin America’s oldest and most iconic Christmas fairs. Taking place in Cusco’s Plaza de Armas, it gathers artisans and merchants from across the region in a festive atmosphere brimming with holiday spirit.

The Santurantikuy, meaning “sale of saints” in Quechua, transcends the concept of a typical Christmas market. It is a celebration blending art, culture, and spirituality, drawing locals and visitors from around the globe.

Interesting note » A key attraction of the Santurantikuy is the intricate nativity scenes crafted by local artisans. These detailed representations of the Nativity include figures of Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, the Wise Men, and animals, created using materials such as ceramic, wood, plaster, or fabric.

Read More » Santurantikuy

Festivals in Cusco: A year of tradition and faith

If Cusco is part of your plans for 2025, be sure to align your visit with one of these celebrations. Taking part in these traditions offers more than just sightseeing—it’s an opportunity to connect with the region’s culture and take home a piece of Cusco's soul. Cusco is not just a place to visit; it’s a place to live and experience!