Festivals and Special Events
Qoyllur Rit’i
Qoyllur Rit’i is one of the most revered religious places in Peru, whose name means Snowstar or Shining Snow. It is situated at foot of the “Ausangate “snowy to 4600 meters over sea level. Every year, the first week of May a massive pilgrimage marks this ritual. Every small village sends a delegation composed by colorful dancers known as “Pabluchas” or “Ukukos” who dance during 3 days in honor to the Christ of” Qoyllur Rit’i” and the “Apu Ausangate”.
Corpus Christi
This is a colorful religious procession which is made every year the first or second week of June (some times the last week of May). During this procession 15 saints and virgins from all the churches and districts of Cusco arrive to the Cathedral to worship the body of Christ. This procession is made always on Thursday and is accompanied by music and typical dances. The traditional meal of this feast is the famous “Chiriuchu”, a local dish composed by corn tortilla , chicken, toasted corn, pork sausage, cheese and baked cuy.
Inti Raymi and Cusco Feasts
The Inti Raymi also known as Sun’s Feast is the main event in Cusco. It is celebrated on June 24 (day of Cusco) in the “Q’oricancha”, “La Plaza de Armas” (main square) and mainly in the Sacsayhuaman temple. The “Inti Raymi” is a monumental theater show which represents the original feast of the sun that celebrated the Incas in the winter solstice. There are thousands of dancers and actors who wear Incan clothes and declaim their dialogues in Quechua in an amazing theater staging, which lasts around 8 hours.
Besides, during all the month of June, there are many cultural and entertainment activities like art expositions, international fairs (like Huancaro), typical dance contests, civic parades, free musical concerts, amazing fireworks and much more.
This is also the high period for the tourism; therefore the hotels are absolutely full. If you want to visit Cusco in this time it would be advisable to make reservations one or several months before.
Virgin of Carmen Feast
This is the most colorful feast in Cusco, it is celebrated between July 14 and July 18 in honor to “La Virgen del Carmen” or “Mamacha del Carmen” (Virgin of Carmen). This religious celebration is made in Paucartambo a village far 4 hours from Cusco city by car. The gathering that raises the curtain on these days of feast is held in the main square, where musical groups play their instrument while richly dressed choirs sing beautiful songs in Quechua. This festival lasts five days, during this time several dance companies like “Waca Waca”, “Sajras”, “Capac Negro” and others leaves to the streets to accompany the Virgin in the processions. The main day (on July 16) the Virgin is borne aloft in a procession to bless to his devotees and scare away demons
Independence Day
“Fiestas Patrias ” (Independence Day) is the main celebration in Peru. It is celebrates on July 28 and 29. During these feasts there are many military parades, Peruvian cook exhibitions, Peruvian Paso horse exhibitions and musical festival , both in Cusco and all the country.
Lord of Huanca
On September 14 during this religious pilgrimage, thousands of devotees from Cusco, Peru and all the world arrive to the “Sanctuary of Huanca” (to 40 Km of Cusco city) to receive the blessing of the Christ or looking for a miracle. This is one of the main religious pilgrimages in South America. During the feast of the “Lord of Huanca”, there are also a nice handcraft fair in “San Salvador ” village to 2Km of the Sanctuary. From Cusco, it takes about 4-6 hours to arrive walking to the Sanctuary and around 1 hour half by car.
Todos los Santos
This is a peculiar celebration; since the Peruvians salute the Death with flowers and food. During this feast, the people visit the tombs of his family and friends, carrying the flowers, the music and the food that they liked most when they were alive. Besides, it is traditional to eat on this day a special kind of bread known as “Wawa” and roast pork.
Christmas and Santurantiquy
During Christmas time Cusco is a beautiful city. The “Plaza de Armas” (main square) is transformed into a magical place, thanks to the people from the mountains that come to sell beautiful sculptures that represent to baby Jesus, Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph and the Wise Men in addition to images of pastors and many kinds of animals in a marvel fair named “Santurantiquy”. These images are used by the local population to built wonderful “Nacimientos” (representations of the Christ born) in their homes. If you are in Cusco in Christmas, you must visit the Santurantiquy, it is a unforgettable experience.
The visit of the Wise Men
Every year on January 6, community elders designate the highest authorities of their villages; these authorities are known as “Varayoc”, who receives a scepter from his predecessor like power symbol. This ceremony coincides with the religious ceremony of “Wise Men” that commemorates the visit of the wise men to Christ Child. Therefore, also there are several religious processions and other activities like fairs or bullfights.
Carnival
This feast takes place during February or March before the Lent time; it is a joyful and cheerful celebration; the children enjoy throwing water balloons to the people during all the month. The most typical ritual of carnival is the “Yunza”, it is a big tree which is planted at center of a field or patio with many gifts surround it. The people dance around this tree, each one tries to cut the three and the person or couple who cut it, organizes the “Yunza ” the next year.
Holy Week
During Holy Week there are many processions and other religious activities. It highlights the Procession of the “Señor de los Temblores” or “Taytacha de los Temblores” (Lord of the earthquakes the Patron of the city), this procession takes place on Easter Monday. This procession is celebrated since 1650 when a devastating series of earthquakes destroyed the city. The history says that the earthquakes stopped only when the image of the Lord of the Earthquakes leaves to the streets.
Other peculiar tradition during this time are the “12 meals”, it is a tradition that commemorates the last diner of Jesus and his apostles. The families in Cusco prepare 12 different meals and gather to eat together; the sprit of this tradition is similar to the Thanksgiving Day in United States.
Cruz Velacuy
It is a mixture amongst Christian and Andean celebration; since this day it celebrates the catholic feast of the crosses; nevertheless, most of crosses are in the hills, which are the “Apus” (former Andean Gods) whom the Andean man has always revered. This celebration takes place on May 2 and May 3. During this feast the crosses are decorated and prepared to leaves in processions. It is a feast with music and typical dances.
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