Peru’s rich history and culture come alive in celebrations held throughout the year. These special dates bring Peruvians together and reinforce identity and tradition. Below are some of the most significant dates on the national calendar:
- 2 Feb – Feast of the Virgin of Candelaria
- 1 May – Labour Day
- 3 May – Feast of the Three Crosses
- 24 Jun – Inti Raymi
- 28 Jul – Independence Day
- 15 Aug – Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin
- 1 Nov – All Saints’ Day
- 2 Nov – Day of the Dead
2 February – Feast of the Virgin of Candelaria
This religious celebration takes place in Puno and ranks among Latin America’s largest festivals. It blends Catholic devotion with Andean ritual, vivid costumes, and folk music.
1 May – Labour Day
Like many countries, Peru marks Labour Day to honour workers and labour rights. It is a moment to reflect on working conditions and recognise how essential the workforce is to national development.
3 May – Feast of the Three Crosses
This festival honours three crosses placed on mountain summits during the colonial era. It includes rituals, dances, music, and offerings to crosses regarded as protectors of Andean communities—a fusion of Catholic and Andean spirituality.
24 June – Inti Raymi
Inti Raymi is an ancient Inca festival celebrated on 24 June in Cusco and other Andean regions. It coincides with the winter solstice and honours Inti, the sun god—one of the Inca Empire’s principal deities. The celebration features ancestral rituals and dances that thank the sun for its light and warmth and ask for abundant harvests and prosperity. Full of colour and tradition, it reconnects Peruvians with their cultural and spiritual roots.
28 July – Independence Day
Independence Day commemorates Peru’s independence from Spain in 1821. Military and civic parades, official ceremonies, cultural events, and festivals take place nationwide. It is a chance for Peruvians to celebrate their heritage and renew their commitment to sovereignty and progress.
15 August – Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin
Catholic communities across Peru celebrate the belief that Mary was assumed body and soul into heaven. Processions and Masses honour the Virgin Mary as mother of Jesus and as a symbol of divine love and protection.
1 November – All Saints’ Day & 2 November – Day of the Dead
All Saints’ Day (1 November) and the Day of the Dead (2 November) are linked Catholic observances. On 1 November believers honour all saints, including those never formally canonised. Families visit cemeteries to clean and decorate graves and pray for loved ones. On 2 November attention turns specifically to souls of the departed, asking that they find peace. These days blend remembrance, prayer, and reflection on life and death.
Major dates for travellers in Peru:
- International Harvest Festival (March)
- Festival of the Sun (June)
- Trujillo Marinera Festival (September)
- International Spring Festival (October/November)
- Candelaria Festival (February)
- Lord of Miracles procession (October)
- Holy Week in Cusco and Ayacucho
Holy Week is especially important in Peru, above all in Cusco and Ayacucho. Processions and religious activities commemorate the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Christ.
Lord of Miracles (October). Lima’s largest religious festival stretches through October, with main days on the 18th, 19th, and 28th. It recalls the 1746 earthquake after which a painting of Christ on the cross survived intact—becoming a symbol of hope. Thousands of devotees dressed in purple join processions carrying the image known as the Cristo Moreno.
What these tourism highlights involve:
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International Harvest Festival (March) Celebrated in several regions, this festival thanks Pachamama for abundant harvests and fertile soil. Parades, folk dances, and religious ceremonies showcase farmers’ work and promote respect for nature.
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Festival of the Sun (June) Also known as Inti Raymi, this June celebration in Cusco reimagines the Inca sun ceremony. Actors in traditional dress stage rituals at Sacsayhuamán, reconnecting audiences with Inca heritage.
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Trujillo Marinera Festival (September) One of Peru’s oldest fairs honours the city’s patroness, the Virgin of Candelaria, with parades, concerts, sports, and local cuisine.
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International Spring Festival (October/November) Cities across Peru welcome southern-hemisphere spring with flowers, colourful dress, parades, live music, and family-friendly cultural events.
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Candelaria Festival (February) Dedicated to Mary under the title of Candelaria, February celebrations include processions, folk dances, and religious services with dazzling street parades.
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Lord of Miracles (October) Lima’s massive October devotion centres on processions of the Señor de los Milagros image—an expression of deep popular faith.
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Holy Week in Cusco and Ayacucho Solemn processions, biblical street theatre, and liturgies recall Christ’s Passion before Easter—deeply moving experiences for residents and visitors alike.
