The City of Cusco is not only a beautiful place because of its archeological sites, but also for the incredible culture that, to this day, you can see in the holidays and festivals in Cusco that involve of magic.
Cusco has many festivities throughout the year. Most of them are celebrated in honor of a saint and are part of the Christian calendar adopted during the colonial era. However, these celebrations are also mixed with ancient beliefs and traditional forms of worship from Inca times.
Here, we gonna show you the main festivals in Cusco. Take attention:
1.- Feast of Señor de los Temblores
This procession celebrates the Monday before Easter and dates back to the earthquake of the 1950s. This celebration is of particular interest, that permits to the visitors observe the fusion between the Andean religions and Christianity.
The image of the Señor de los Temblores is translated in procession by the streets of the city of Cusco like the Incas made it to translate the mummies of their chiefs, high priests, and rulers.
Finally, the main part of the celebration involucrate the ñucchu flower, used as an offering to the ancient gods such as Huiracocha. The same flower, that today is used to make the crown of Señor de los Temblores. This is one of the most important festivals in Cusco.
2.- Feast and Procession of Señor de Qoyllority
The more traditional Andean rites of the festival and procession of the Señor de Qoyllority are less well known than the spectacular Inti Raymi, which is celebrated at the foot of Ausangate at 4,700 meters above sea level on the Tuesday before Corpus Christi in late May or early June.
They are accompanied by different dancers (chauchos, qollas, pabluchas or ukukus) that symbolize different mythical characters. The ukukus (bears) are the watchers of the Lord, as well as of Apus and apachetas (mounds of stones placed by the pilgrims, as atoned sins), and those who maintain the discipline during the liturgical acts.
A group of strong Queros, inhabitants of what is perhaps the purest Quechua community in Peru, disguised as “pabluchas” in search of the Snow Star that is locked in their entrails.
3.- Feast of Corpus Christi
The Corpus Christi Festival has been celebrated throughout Peru since colonial times but reached its peak in Cusco. 15 Saints and Virgins from different districts are carried in a procession to the Cathedral where they “receive” the body of Christ incarnated in the Sacred Host.
The celebration of Corpus Christi gathers thousands of faithful devotees around Marian representations, saints, Santiago and the Blessed Sacrament, it is one of the most popular festivities in Cusco.
In this festivity there is no discrimination of race or social status because everyone has the right to attend and render devotion to their patron or saint.
4.- The incredible Carnivals of Cusco
During carnival season, different villages compete in colorful parades with decorated floats, traditional costumes, and dances. These celebrations preserve the traditions of Cusco, including the Carnival of Cusco, traditional huaynos, and the Carnival of Tinta. It is one of the most popular and anticipated festivals in the region.
On this date, there are also different gastronomic festivals in Cusco where exquisite traditional dishes are exhibited and offered for sale, among them Timpu, puchero, Kapchi de habas and frutillada.
5.- Festivals in Cusco: Pilgrimage to the Señor de Huanca
The Pilgrimage of the Señor de Huanca is an important celebration that takes place in Cusco and whose central date is September 14th.
It is a walking pilgrimage where people and devoted followers travel from their villages to the Sanctuary of Huata Piedra Negra.
6.- The beautiful Festivity of Virgen del Carmen
The Festivity of Virgen del Carmen is full of color and music where hundreds of parishioners, people, and groups of dancers go out to accompany the image of the virgin.
Through their dances, the men and women show their deep faith, gratitude, and prayers for protection to the Mamacha.
7.- Pachamama Day
Pachamama Day is a celebration that honors Mother Earth and thanks her for the food and protection she gives to people throughout the year.
During this festival in Cusco, people let the earth rest from farming work and honor it by offering food. It is a tradition to bury pots filled with food as an offering to the earth goddess.
8.- The traditional Santurantikuy
It is a fair that brings together many important artisans of the area and where exhibitions of their handcrafted products are held.
The most representative image of this fair day is undoubtedly the Niño Manuelito, which is the name by which the Baby Jesus is known and which is made of ceramic in different sizes and different positions.
What festival is celebrated in June in Cusco?
The celebration of Inti Raymi is one of the most important festivities in Cusco. It takes place every June 24 in the city of Cusco, specifically in the ancient Inca fortress of Sacsayhuaman.
The religious celebration comes from Inca times and includes a representative of the Inca, along with representatives of the four suyos and other important figures of the ancient empire. They appear in the large esplanade of the famous fortress of Sacsayhuamán.
Ceremony begins with the entrance of a minor Inca, who arrives at Sacsayhuamán announcing the arrival of the representatives from the four suyos and the Inca himself.
It culminates with a representation of the Inca festival of the winter solstice in Sacsayhuaman. Despite being very touristy, it is worth seeing its dances and street parades, as well as the pageantry at Sacsayhuaman.
Cusco’s festivals and celebrations show the city’s rich culture and the mix of ancient Inca traditions with Spanish influence. These events are not just celebrations. They also help preserve the history and traditions of Cusco while bringing together locals and visitors who enjoy this beautiful city.
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