Cusco, Peru City Guide
For over 20 years, Pamela Lanier's Cusco, Peru Travel Guide has been your connection to Cusco's tourism community with invaluable details on local attractions, restaurants, shopping, museums, history, outdoor recreation and more.
Cusco Festivals
The Inti Raymi “Sun Festival” was once the most important festival for Incans when the religion was based on worshipping the sun. Today the festival continues to be held on June 24th of every year in the plains, in the temple, and also in the Main Square of Cusco. The day consists of a ceremony and sacrifice with an emphasis on a lively celebration that draw tourists and locals alike.
The month of June also brings the festival of Corpus Christi to Peru, an extended ceremony with fifteen saints and virgins processing to the cathedral in Cusco to greet “the body” of Christ forty days after Easter. A wonderful opportunity to experience Peruvian culture up close, the Festival of Corpus Christi includes ringing the biggest church bell in Peru and twelve traditional dishes prepared and eaten the night before the main celebration.
Cusco Carnavale is a happy, festive celebration held during the month of February and/or March. The main festival ritual involves planting a large tree “yunza” laden with presents and gifts, and the entire group dances around the yunza taking turns trying to chop it down. Throughout Peruvian country, people also throw water at one another during the month of Carnavale, and the entire month is one of mirth and celebration.
