Peru celebrates around 3000 traditional festivities every year, some of the better Festivals and holidays in Peru are the following month by month.

1. FESTIVALS AND HOLIDAYS
IN PERU

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PERU
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FESTIVALS AND HOLIDAYS IN PERU

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Peru celebrates around 3000 festivals every year, most of which are to honor
the day of a patron saint. These saints were introduced as part of Christian
calendar bought to Peru by the Spanish. Most of these have been integrated
with the native traditions of Peru and give color and taste to the daily life of
the Peruvian people.
January
The anniversary of the Foundation
of Lima is on the 28 January with
celebrations usually taking place in
the historical center of the capital,
this goes along with tourist and
cultural activities.
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These celebrations along with typical dances are acts of religious devotion
that fill the people with happiness. Some of the better Festivals and holidays
in Peru are the following month by month.

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February
The Festival of the Virgin of the Candelaria, which is considered one of the
most important festivals in South America. The 2 February is most important
day when the Virgin leaves the church to go round and round the streets, the
festival lasts the whole month.
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Most towns have carnivals, which are held in the second part of the month,
but the City of Puno has the biggest with hundreds of different dance teams
competing for the best dance prize. If you plan to visit Puno in February, make
sure to check the local parades.

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March
In Cusco in the first two weeks of March is the Señor de los
Temblores, to celebrate the lord of the Miracles. Also in March is
Holy Week, when planning a trip to Peru you should consider Holy
week, the major cities in Peru come alive with religious parades and
festivals which feature statues of Christ which are paraded through
the streets and the local people throw flower petals.
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April
Festivals and holidays in Peru in April are a little quieter than other months
with the only the National Horse Riding Competition to mention. The
Peruvian Paso horse is breed that descends from horses that the Spanish
bought to South America during the conquest.
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May
In Arequipa, the main festival in May is the Virgin del Chapi or the Virgin of
the Purification. The local people make a pilgrimage going through the desert
of Arequipa. The festival features music and food and the main celebration
day is 1 May.
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June
June is a big month in Peru for festivals; In Cusco the anniversary of the city is
celebrated. During the month, there are traditional activities and food on offer.
Also in Cusco in June is the Inca festival of Inti Raymi. This is the traditional
festival of the Sun, to which the Inca´s worshipped. The festival coincides with
the winter solstice and the harvests. The festival takes place on 24 June and
you will need to book tickets.
Also in June in Cusco is Señor de Qoyllur Riti, which is the largest pilgrimage
in South America. More than 10 thousand people walk on foot to Ausangate
Mountain, worshipping a painting of the black Niño Jesus. The pilgrims return
from the mountain with blocks of ice that they place on their lands to irrigate
with the sacred water.
Another religious festival to
experience in June in Cusco is
Corpus Christi, all the saints are
taken from the Churches in Cusco
and are paraded through the streets,
and this is a spectacle not to be
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July
July sees the independence of Peru celebrated. The country celebrates this
day with a variety of celebrations, which normally include food, music, fairs and
plenty of partying.
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August
The most important festival in August is the Santa Rosa de Lima; the faithful
visit her sanctuary and the shrine that she herself constructed. One tradition is
when pilgrims throw letter with requests into the well where she threw the key to
her chastity belt.
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September
In the region of San Salvador near Cusco, Señor de Huanca is celebrated.
Thousands of people travel to the church of Señor de Huanca in the month of
September but the main celebration day is September 14.
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October
During the month of October Señor de los Milagros is celebrated, the faithful
celebrate all month and Lima is awash with purple, on the day of the
possession all wear purple tunics, singing and praying accompanied by the
image of the Señor de los Milagros.
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November
Day of all Saints and day of the Deceased are celebrated on the one & two of
November and these festivals are celebrated all over the country. The days
feature a mix of Christian and Indigenous beliefs.
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December
On 24 December the festival of Santurantcuy takes place in the Plaza de
Armas in Cusco, the Plaza is full of stall selling arts and crafts as well as all
you will need for Christmas. Christmas is celebrated in Peru as it all over the
world on 25 December with all of the church having Mass and other activities.
With Peru, being a very religious country Christmas is a very special time to be
in Peru.
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There is no best time to go to Peru,
with festivals happening all year
round. The list of things to do in Peru
is endless so do your research and
book a tour to Peru today.

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What are you waiting for a trip to Peru and
Machu Picchu will live in your memory
forever.
Machu Travel Peru