Famous Festivals in Peru
If you are looking for a destination that offers rich culture, history, and diversity, Peru is a great choice. Peru is home to many festivals that celebrate its ancient and modern traditions, from religious ceremonies to artistic expressions. In this blog post, we will introduce you to some of the most famous festivals in Peru that you can experience throughout the year.
Inti Raymi: The Festival of the Sun
One of the most spectacular and ancient festivals in Peru is Inti Raymi, which means “the festival of the sun” in Quechua, the language of the Incas. Inti Raymi honors Inti, the sun god, who was considered the supreme deity and ancestor of the Inca rulers. The festival takes place on June 24th, which coincides with the winter solstice and marks the beginning of a new year for the Andean people.
Inti Raymi was originally celebrated with animal sacrifices, dances, music, and lavish offerings at the main square of Cusco, which was then the capital of the Inca empire. Today, Inti Raymi is a theatrical reenactment that attracts thousands of visitors every year. The festival starts at dawn at Qorikancha, or “the temple of gold”, where an actor playing Sapa Inca (the emperor) invokes and praises Inti. Then, a colorful procession moves to Plaza de Armas (the main square), where Sapa Inca delivers a speech in Quechua. Finally, the ceremony culminates at Sacsayhuaman (a fortress on a hill), where Sapa Inca performs a symbolic sacrifice of a llama and announces his predictions for the coming year.
Inti Raymi is a unique opportunity to witness how Peru preserves its ancestral heritage and showcases its vibrant culture.
Candelaria: The Festival of Music and Dance
Another famous festival in Peru is Candelaria, which celebrates La Virgen de la Candelaria (the Virgin of Candles), who is believed to be the patron saint of Puno, a city on Lake Titicaca. Candelaria combines Catholic and indigenous elements and reflects Puno’s identity as “the folkloric capital” of Peru.
Candelaria takes place during February’s first two weeks and features more than 200 groups performing music and dance from different regions of Peru and neighboring countries such as Bolivia. The festival also includes religious processions with statues of La Virgen de la Candelaria adorned with flowers and candles.
Candelaria is one of South America’s largest festivals and has been declared by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Santurantikuy: The Festival of Crafts
If you are looking for some unique souvenirs from Peru or want to admire local artisans’ workmanship skills,
you should visit Santurantikuy (which means “selling saints” in Quechua). Santurantikuy is an annual craft fair that takes place on December 24th at Plaza de Armas in Cusco.
Santurantikuy dates back to colonial times when Spanish missionaries introduced nativity scenes as part
of Christmas celebrations. Since then, Peruvian artisans have developed their own styles
and techniques to create figurines, sculptures, paintings, and other items related
to religious themes or Andean culture. Some of the most popular products are retablos (wooden boxes with miniature scenes), ayacuchanos (clay figurines),
and niño manuelitos (baby Jesus dolls).
Santurantikuy attracts thousands of buyers and sellers every year and creates a festive atmosphere with music, food, and fireworks. It is also considered an expression of cultural resistance against foreign influences. These are just some examples of famous festivals in Peru that you can enjoy during your trip.
Peru has many more festivals that celebrate its diversity, creativity, and spirituality throughout
the year. We hope this blog post has inspired you to explore this amazing country and discover its rich culture.