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Table of Contents (2 Sections)
Cusco festivals in 2027 mix Catholic and Andean traditions, with processions, music and dance in the streets. Known as the former capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco captivates visitors with its deep historical roots and living traditions. In 2027, the city will once again host some of the most important cultural events and celebrations, blending ancient Andean rituals with colonial influences.
In 2027, Cusco’s festivals will once again highlight the city’s cultural richness through religious and cultural celebrations that blend Andean cultural traditions with colonial influences. These festivals and celebrations reflect the cultural identity and cultural pride of the people of Cusco and take place every year across the different districts of Cusco.
Among the most important religious festivals is the Corpus Christi celebration in Cusco, where saints and virgins are carried in procession to the Plaza de Armas of Cusco. People gather in the main square for this major religious festival, one of the most significant holidays in Cusco. In 2027 it falls on 27 May.
June in Cusco is considered the best time to visit, especially around 24 June, when the Inti Raymi Festival also known as the Festival of the Sun takes place every year on June 24. This iconic celebration marks the beginning of the Andean New Year during the winter solstice and stands out as one of Peru’s most impressive cultural shows.
Other important events include Holy Week in Cusco, Carnival in Cusco (Cusco Carnival), and the Virgen del Carmen Festival, all part of Cusco festivities that fill the streets of Cusco with music, dance, and colorful festivals. These spiritual and cultural celebrations offer a unique opportunity for those visiting Cusco to connect with Peru’s living traditions. Many travelers combine a festival in Cusco with a visit to Machu Picchu. If you plan your trip around a festival in 2027, book hotels early, as Cusco fills up on these dates.
Our advice for festival dates#
The festivals we recommend most are Inti Raymi on 24 June, Corpus Christi and Qoyllur Rit’i, which falls in May or June. We do not run special departures for them, but we help travelers plan their visit.
Hotels and tours fill up on these dates, so book three to six months ahead.
Cusco Festivals 2027: Dates of the Main Celebrations#
- Holy Kings: 6 January 2027
- Carnival: February 2027, ending on Ash Wednesday, 10 February
- Fiesta del Choclo: 8 March 2027
- Semana Santa: 21–28 March 2027 (Señor de los Temblores procession on Monday 22 March)
- Qoyllur Rit’i (Snow Star Festival): around Trinity Sunday, 23 May 2027, followed by Corpus Christi on 27 May
- Arkana Festival: usually in May
- Inti Raymi: 24 June 2027
- Pachamama Day: 1 August 2027
- All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day: 1–2 November 2027
- Christmas and New Year’s Eve: December 2027
1. Holy Kings: 6 January 2027
On January 6th, Cusco holds the Three Kings (Fiesta de los Reyes Magos) festival, a colorful and joyful moment inherited from the colonial past. While this festival is widely celebrated across Latin America and Europe even (Spain, especially), Cusco gives it a unique local twist. Traditionally, this event marks the arrival of the Magi to bring gifts to the newborn Jesus. The festival in Cusco is both religious and festive.
Whether you are religious or not, this event is fascinating to witness with local people holding processions and dressed in elaborate costumes. If you are not a fan of processions, you can still enjoy public performances of traditional Peruvian dances and music. Food stalls are also a main attraction during this event, offering a wide range of delicious typical dishes, especially sweets. The event provides an opportunity to witness the blend of Catholic and Andean traditions.
The Three Kings celebration, as the opening cultural event in Cusco, is an excellent introduction to the city’s cultural calendar. Indeed, it sets the tone for the year ahead with a family-friendly and festive atmosphere that invites everyone to share a festive event in community, both visitors and locals.
2. Carnival: February 2027
The Carnaval period is well known all over Latin America. It is one of the most anticipated and appreciated celebrations in Cusco. Each country and region has its own way to celebrate: distinct costumes, dances, songs, food, and proper activities. Whereas the city of Cajamarca in Peru is holding the largest events,Carnaval in Cusco is as exuberant. It traditionally marks the end of the rainy season and the start of Lent. During Carnaval, the whole city of Cusco becomes a lively stage for a series of street parades, performances, dances, and water and foam fights that involve both locals and tourists.
One of the particularities of Cusco’s Carnaval is the traditional dance known as «La Danza de los Diablos» (Dance of the Devils), which represents the ongoing battle between good and evil. Dressed in elaborate devil costumes, dancers perform theatrical movements that captivate audiences, encouraging spectators to join the show. The «Carnaval de los Andes» brings regional dances, giant costumes, music and decorations to the city.
Be ready to get wet and dirty: people throw water balloons, coloured powder and foam, and visitors rarely escape. The streets are crowded and noisy, and most visitors join in.
3. Corn Festival: 8 March 2027
The Fiesta del Choclo, held on March 8th in Huayllabamba (Sacred Valley), is a celebration dedicated to one beloved pillar of Peruvian agriculture: corn, or «choclo.» This festival celebrates corn as a symbol of life, fertility, and prosperity. Not very famous yet, it is becoming one of the best cultural events and festivals in Cusco and the Sacred Valley.
Whether you are a food lover or just interested in sharing a traditional celebration with local people, the Corn Festival is for you. The event features various activities, including tastings of typical dishes made with fresh corn, such as tamales, humitas, and chicha (fermented corn drink). It also counts with cultural performances that highlight the importance of corn in Andean traditions. There are also competitions, where locals showcase their skills in corn harvesting and the preparation of traditional corn-based dishes.
The Choclo Festival offers a unique opportunity to explore the agricultural roots of the region, learn about the history of corn cultivation in the Andes, and enjoy the flavors that have nourished the region for centuries. This event allows you to learn more about corn cultivation, which has shaped Peru’s cultural and natural heritage.
4. Semana Santa: 21–28 March 2027
Semana Santa, or Holy Week, is one of the most significant religious celebrations in Cusco, reflecting the city’s deeply rooted Catholic faith. The event combines elaborate processions with traditional ceremonies that draw thousands of visitors to the city each year.
One of the highlights of Semana Santa in Cusco is the grand procession that takes place on Holy Monday (22 March in 2027). This procession is known as the Procesión del Señor de los Temblores (Procession of the Lord of the Earthquakes) and is one of the most awaited events in the Andean world. A statue of Christ is carried by the participants through the streets of Cusco, accompanied by thousands of devotees who pray and sing hymns as they walk along the city’s cobblestone roads.
Additionally, local churches host special masses, where visitors can witness traditional religious music and ceremonies. The atmosphere in Cusco during Semana Santa is absolutely unique with a blend of Catholic devotion and Andean spirituality. The event is a perfect way to experience both the religious and cultural heritage of Cusco.
5. Snow Star Festival (Qoyllur Rit’i): around 23 May 2027
Qoyllur Rit’i in Quechua or Snow Star Festival is a popular event that celebrates the region’s high-altitude Andean culture. It takes place in the valley nearby the Ausangate glacier. In 2011, it was declared an Immaterial Heritage of UNESCO.
It consists of a pilgrimage to the sanctuary of the Lord of Qoyllurit’i which combines elements from Catholicism and worship of pre-Hispanic nature deities. The pilgrimage includes processions of crosses up and down the snow-capped mountain and dances play also an important part. Indeed, a hundred different dances are performed representing the different ‘nations’ (or Peru regional areas).
The Snow Star Festival suits travelers interested in Andean traditions who are ready for cold nights at high altitude.
6. Arkana Festival: usually in May
The Arkana Festival, held in May, is a music festival blending indigenous and mystical traditions of the Andes. Arkana means «sacred» or «mysterious» in Quechua, and it is a gathering that emphasizes connection to the earth, the sacred, and the spiritual world. It takes place in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
This festival features a blend of workshops, healing ceremonies, music, gathering artists and visitors from all over the world. Visitors have the chance to experience powerful ceremonies led by shamans, who offer insights into Andean cosmology and practices of energy healing.
The Arkana Festival is perfect for those seeking a deeper connection to the mystical side of Cusco and the Sacred Valley. It combines arts with personal transformation, offering a unique and transformative experience for attendees.
7. Inti Raymi: 24 June 2027
Inti Raymi, the Inca Sun Festival, is the most iconic and important festival of Cusco. Held every year on June 24th, Inti Raymi is a fantastic reconstitution show of the ancient Inca ceremony honoring Inti, the Sun God. The festival takes place at the ruins of Sacsayhuamán, where thousands of visitors gather to attend the spectacle.
Inti Raymi is the best-known celebration of Inca culture in Cusco. On this occasion, actors are wearing elaborate costumes; they perform traditional dances, and rituals that pay homage to the Sun God. Originally, the ceremony was performed to ensure the prosperity of the empire and a favorable harvest. Inti Raymi is one of the largest and most important cultural events in Peru, attracting both national and international visitors.
8. Pachamama Day: 1 August 2027
Pachamama, or Mother Earth, is one of the most revered deities in Andean culture. The festival takes place throughout the region, but it is especially significant in Cusco and the Sacred Valley, where locals participate in a series of rituals and ceremonies to express gratitude to Pachamama for her abundance and blessings.
This celebration consists of offering food, drink, and symbolic gifts to the Pachamama, including the sacred despacho ceremony, where participants create elaborate offerings with coca leaves, grains, and other symbolic items. Traditional music, dances, and prayers accompany these rituals. It is a unique opportunity to witness the deep connection the people of Cusco have with the land and their ancestors. It offers an opportunity to learn about the spiritual traditions that have shaped the Andean worldview for centuries.
9. All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day: 1–2 November 2027
In Peru, families remember their dead on All Saints’ Day (1 November) and All Souls’ Day (2 November). It is a beautiful, vivid festival in Cusco that honors deceased loved ones. Once again, this celebration is based on indigenous Andean beliefs and Catholic traditions, where families gather to remember the dead and celebrate their lives.
Throughout Cusco, altars are set up with offerings of food, flowers, and photographs of the deceased. During nighttime, the city shines with hundreds of candles, held by the windows. The day is filled with prayer, music, and the sharing of memories, creating a respectful yet celebratory atmosphere. Despite the significance of such celebration, the atmosphere remains very joyful.
10. Christmas and New Year’s Eve 2027
Christmas time is an exceptional period to celebrate in Cusco, as the city is decorated with festive lights and decorations, creating a charming and welcoming atmosphere. Local families make pesebres (nativity scenes), which you can see in churches and some of the main squares.
New Year’s Eve is marked by grand celebrations in the Plaza de Armas, where locals and tourists alike gather for music, fireworks, and the joyful ringing of church bells. Most of the nightclubs invite artists to enliven the crowds until late. Be sure that you will find the place to celebrate until the end of the night. Whether you’re celebrating Christmas with a traditional mass or welcoming the New Year with the locals, Cusco’s festive season is a good time to see local traditions.
Written by Joel Cárdenas Gonzales
Founder & CEOFounder and CEO of Southern Peru Explorers since 2009. Born in Cusco and trained as an official tour guide at Instituto Khipu. About the author
