Festivities in Peru, especially those held from July to December, fill the country with color, music, and tradition. If you’re planning to travel during the second half of 2025, these celebrations offer you a unique window into the heart of the country. Whether you’re drawn to ancestral rituals in the Andes, coastal processions, or jungle carnivals, each month holds a celebration worth experiencing.
In this post, we’ll show you the most captivating festivities in Peru between July and December 2025, along with cultural context, travel tips, and everything that makes each event special. Get ready to plan a journey that goes far beyond tourism.
You may also like: Learn to distinguish the differences between llama and alpaca
Festivities in Peru 2025: month by month calendar from July to December
Planning a trip during the second half of the year? This month-by-month guide to the festivities in Peru from July to December 2025 will help you experience the country’s rich cultural heritage up close. From traditional Andean rituals to vibrant Amazonian celebrations, the festivities in Peru are a perfect window into the heart and soul of its people. Get ready to align your travels with the most meaningful and colorful moments of the year.
July: Fiestas Patrias (July 28–29)
Peru’s Independence Day is the most important national holiday. Across the country, streets are adorned with red-and-white flags, and the atmosphere is filled with patriotic pride. Lima hosts official parades and military demonstrations, while cities like Arequipa, Cusco, and Trujillo celebrate with folkloric dances, live music, and fireworks.
Travel tip: Book accommodations early this is a peak travel period for locals and tourists alike.
- Where: Nationwide, especially in Lima, Cusco, and Ayacucho.
- What to expect: Military parades, concerts, traditional dances, food fairs, and plenty of Peruvian flags waving everywhere.
Where to stay:
- Lima: Hotel Antigua Miraflores (Av Grau 350, Miraflores) or Selina Lima (Alcanfores 465, Miraflores, Lima)
- Cusco: Tariq Boutique Hotel (C. Tandapata 172, Cusco) or Casa Andina Standard (Av. Alfredo Benavides 271 Miraflores)
- Ayacucho: Altipacha Ayacucho Hotel (JR, 28 de Julio 527, Ayacucho) or DM Hoteles Ayacucho (Jr, 9 de Diciembre 184, Ayacucho)
You may also like: Inti Raymi festival: Your guide to cusco’s most vibrant andean celebration
August: Día de Santa Rosa de Lima (August 30)
Celebrated in Lima and throughout Peru, this day honors the country’s first saint and the patroness of the Americas. Pilgrims visit her sanctuary and the famous wishing well at her family’s home in downtown Lima. The celebration blends Catholic devotion with traditional Peruvian customs.
Where to go: Visit Lima for the official events or explore smaller towns for a more intimate experience.
- Where: Chachapoyas (Amazonas), Huánuco, and rural areas of Cusco.
- What to expect: Religious processions, traditional dances like “diablos danzantes”, and locals in colorful attire.
Where to stay:
- Chachapoyas: Gocta Andes Lodge (Jirón 1 de Abril #361 – La Banda de Shilcayo, San Martín, Perú) or La Casa de Seizo (Al Lado de los Baños Termales de San MAteo, Moyobamba Perú)
- Huánuco: Grand Hotel Huánuco (Jirón Dámaso Beraún 775, Huánuco) or Hotel Venecia (Palacio Benjamin N° 429 (Prolongación Abtao) Huánuco)
- Sacred Valley (Cusco): Explora Valle Sagrado or Skylodge Adventure Suites (Pista 224 km, Ollantaytambo)
You may also like: Corpus Christi in Cusco 2025: 4 key dates of the celebration
September: Señor de Huanca (September 14)
This deeply spiritual pilgrimage takes place in the Andes near Cusco. Thousands of faithful walk to the Sanctuary of the Señor de Huanca, located in the Sacred Valley. It’s a time of prayer, devotion, and reflection.
Why it matters: It reveals the strong syncretism between Andean beliefs and Catholicism that defines much of Peruvian spirituality.
- Where: Sapallanga, near Huancayo (Junín region).
- What to expect: A massive pilgrimage, Andean music, traditional dances, and open-air fairs.
Where to stay:
- Huancayo: Hotel Presidente Huancayo (Ca. Real 1138, Huancayo) or Blub Hotel Spa (Pje. Verand 187, Huancayo)
- Sapallanga: Local guesthouses or rural stays nearby.
You may also like: 5 things to do in Lima: before your Andean trip
October: El Señor de los Milagros (All month, especially Oct. 18, 19, 28)
Known as the “Purple Month”, October is dominated by processions honoring the Señor de los Milagros, one of the largest religious events in Latin America. In Lima, thousands of devotees dressed in purple walk alongside the image through the city’s streets in a stunning display of faith.
What to experience: Sweets like turrón de Doña Pepa, purple candles, and traditional hymns fill the atmosphere with warmth and unity.
- Where: Lima.
- What to expect: The largest religious procession in Peru, with thousands dressed in purple, floral carpets, and devotional chants.
Where to stay:
- Historic Center: Hotel Bolívar or Gran Hotel Bolívar (Jirón de la Unión 958, Lima)
- Miraflores (more comfortable): Casa Andina Premium (Av. la Paz 463, Miraflores) or Selina Lima Miraflores.
You may also like: Puka Pukara 2025: The red fortress inca that protected Cusco
November: Día de Todos los Santos y Día de los Difuntos (November 1–2)
Peruvians remember their ancestors with food offerings, flowers, and visits to cemeteries. In Andean regions, families prepare meals their loved ones enjoyed in life, sharing them at the gravesites. In the jungle, the celebration includes music and communal rituals.
Cultural tip: Join local families (if invited) or observe respectfully—it’s a day of both mourning and joy.
- Where: Nationwide, with strong traditions in Ayacucho, Cusco, and Puno.
- What to expect: Colorful cemetery altars, “pan wawa” (decorated bread), local music, and meals shared in memory of loved ones.
Where to stay:
- Ayacucho: ViaVia Hotel (28 de Julio 540, Ayacucho) or Altipacha Ayacucho (JR, 28 de Julio 527, Ayacucho)
- Puno: Casa Andina Premium Puno (Sesquicentenario 1970, Puno) or Tierra Viva Puno Plaza.
You may also like: How to get to aguas calientes: the best guide for travelers 2025
December: Santuranticuy (December 24)
This artisan fair in Cusco’s Plaza de Armas is a vibrant pre-Christmas event where you can find hand carved nativity figures, Andean textiles, and traditional gifts. It’s one of the oldest and most beautiful markets in Peru.
Why visit: It’s a magical mix of Indigenous and Catholic traditions, where local artists showcase their work and travelers can feel the Christmas spirit with an Andean touch.
- Where: Cusco (Plaza de Armas).
- What to expect: A traditional Christmas fair where artisans from all over Peru sell nativity scenes, religious art, and handmade gifts.
Where to stay:
- Cusco Historic Center: JW Marriott El Convento Cusco (Esquina de la, Ruinas 432, Cusco), Hotel Rumi Punku (Choqechaka 339, Cusco), or Niños Hotel.
New Year’s Eve in Peru (December 31)
From yellow underwear for good luck to burning old-year effigies, Peruvians have their own special way of welcoming the new year. Cities like Cusco, Lima, and Arequipa host street parties, concerts, and fireworks displays.
Tip: Join the crowd in Cusco’s Plaza de Armas for a spiritual, energetic way to begin 2026. It’s one of the many festivities in Peru where ancient beliefs and modern joy blend perfectly.
Why the Second Half of the Year Is Perfect for Cultural Travel
If you’re passionate about meaningful travel, the festivities in Peru during the second half of 2025 offer unforgettable experiences. These celebrations are not just events they are living expressions of history, identity, and community.
Whether you’re dancing in the streets of Lima, sharing food with a family in the Andes, or watching artisans craft wonders in Cusco, you’ll leave with more than photos you’ll carry stories, emotions, and deep memories.
To truly connect with the spirit of these festivities in Peru, it helps to explore them alongside local experts who can explain their meaning and cultural background. You’ll gain not just access, but understanding.
So if you’re planning your next trip, consider timing it with one of these festivities in Peru. The country doesn’t just welcome you it embraces you with tradition, color, and soul.
Ready to live it for yourself?
Check out our curated itineraries with top rated Peru tour operators and let the rhythm of Peruvian culture guide your journey.
