Cusco--Holidays and Festivals

By John Howison

Cusco plays host to several yearly festivals, some driven by Amerindian influences, others by post-Columbian traditions and some that blend both.

The most well attended and most popular festival in Cusco is Inti Raymi, the yearly Inca festival celebrating the winter solstice on June 24, according to the Inca Sundial (modern science has since pinned the date to June 21).

Qoyllur Rit'i usually takes place on the Sunday before Corpus Christi. People make the pilgrimage from all over to pray to the Lord of Qoyllur Rit'i who they believe has powers to bring them success in love, school, etc. The festival is capped off by a procession on the final night when hundreds of people climb the surrounding glaciers and lug down huge icicles. The icicles are melted to produce holy water which is thought to help the sick community members.

As in pretty much all Latin American cities, Cusco lets loose for Carnaval. The celebration peaks the Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday and is a great time to visit Cusco if you want to party.

Likewise, Semana Santa, held during Easter, is celebrated all over Latin America. Cusco celebrates by holding numerous processions through the streets, including an Easter Monday procession led by El Señor de los Temblores (Lord of the Earthquakes).

For the Santuranticuy festival, on December 24, hundreds of artisans descend up Cusco's Plaza de Armas to spread their wares out on blankets. It is one of the largest craft fairs in Peru.