The carnivals in Cusco represent one of the most vibrant and authentic celebrations in the Peruvian festive calendar. This festival, which fuses ancient Andean traditions with elements of European carnival, transforms the imperial city into a stage of overflowing joy where music, dance, and traditional games take center stage.
During these special dates, the streets of Cusco fill with color, water, streamers, and the characteristic talcum powder that marks the beginning of a celebration season involving the whole community. From the traditional games of “compadres” and “comadres” to the emblematic “yunza,” every moment of the Cusco carnival encapsulates centuries of history and tradition that remain alive in the hearts of the locals.
This comprehensive guide will take you through all the essential aspects of the Cusco carnivals, from their exact dates to the best culinary experiences that accompany these unique festivities in the world.
The essence of the carnivals in Cusco
The Cusco carnivals transcend mere festive celebration to become a cultural manifestation deeply rooted in regional identity. This festivity represents the perfect meeting point between the Andean worldview and Catholic traditions, creating a unique syncretism that characterizes much of Peru’s cultural expressions.
Traditional elements
- Regional folk dances
- Music with Andean instruments
- Water and talcum powder games
- Special traditional foods
- Social reciprocity rituals
Cultural significance
- Renewal of community ties
- Celebration of fertility
- Preparation for harvests
- Strengthening of local identity
- Transmission of ancestral traditions
Important Cultural Fact: The Cusco carnivals maintain a ritual structure that respects Andean agricultural cycles, where each activity has a specific meaning related to the fertility of the land and community prosperity.
Participation in the Cusco carnivals knows no age or social class. From the youngest to the elderly, everyone actively takes part in the celebrations, keeping alive a tradition passed down from generation to generation through direct experience and community involvement.
When are the carnivals in Cusco 2026?
The carnivals in Cusco follow the Catholic liturgical calendar, celebrated during the days leading up to Ash Wednesday. For the year 2026, the official celebration dates are strategically spread over several weeks, allowing each tradition its special moment in the spotlight.
| Date | Celebration | Main Activities |
|---|---|---|
| February 20 | Compadres’ Thursday | Traditional games among men |
| February 27 | Comadres’ Thursday | Women’s celebration and revenge |
| March 2 | Carnival Sunday | Main parades and contests |
| March 3 | Carnival Monday | Central day with yunza |
| March 4 | Carnival Tuesday | Continuation of festivities |
| March 9 | Temptation Sunday | Closing of the carnivals |
It is important to mention that although these are the official dates, many communities in the Cusco department extend the celebrations throughout February and part of March, adapting the calendar to their specific local traditions.
Tip for Visitors: If you plan to visit Cusco during the carnivals, book your accommodation in advance. These dates represent a high season due to the great tourist appeal of the traditional festivities.
The central day: Carnival monday
Carnival Monday is the climax of all the carnival celebrations in Cusco. On this day, the entire city transforms into a grand festive stage where all the traditions that characterize this millennial festivity converge.
Water and paint games
The traditional water games represent one of the most characteristic and anticipated aspects of the Cusco carnivals. This practice, which may seem like simple fun, holds deep ritual meanings related to purification and spiritual renewal.
The traditional elements used in these games include:
- Holy water: Used especially in the early moments of the day
- Perfumed talcum powder: Applied to faces as a symbol of purity
- Colorful streamers: Adorning hair and clothing
- Water balloons: Prepared especially for the games
- Water guns: Modern tools that keep the tradition alive
Participation in these games follows certain unwritten rules widely respected by the Cusco community. Respect for elders, protection of valuable traditional clothing, and moderation in water use are fundamental principles guiding these activities.
Parades and contests
The carnival parades in Cusco represent true showcases of popular art where each group, educational institution, and community organization displays its creativity and artistic talent. These events, meticulously organized by local authorities, follow established routes that allow for maximum citizen participation.
Contest categories
- Best traditional dance
- Most creative group
- Best typical clothing
- Outstanding musical performance
- Institutional participation
Prizes and recognitions
- Municipal trophies
- Cultural recognitions
- Cash prizes
- Participation certificates
- Special media coverage
The judging panel consists of folklore specialists, municipal representatives, and recognized personalities from the Cusco cultural scene. Their evaluation criteria include the authenticity of the representations, artistic quality, community participation, and respect for ancestral traditions.
Yunza or cortamonte
The yunza undoubtedly represents the most anticipated and symbolic moment of the entire Cusco carnival. This ritual, which combines playful elements with deep spiritual meanings, represents the perfect culmination of the carnival celebrations.
The preparation of the yunza begins several days before the main event. A tree, usually eucalyptus or willow, is carefully selected and decorated with a wide variety of gifts that include:
| Type of Gift | Meaning | Who Provides It |
|---|---|---|
| Food products | Abundance and prosperity | Local merchants |
| Household utensils | Family well-being | Participating families |
| Toys | Joy and future | Sponsors of the event |
| Clothing and textiles | Protection and warmth | Textile artisans |
| Money in envelopes | Economic prosperity | Authorities and sponsors |
Important Tradition: The couple that manages to knock down the yunza automatically becomes the sponsors responsible for organizing the yunza the following year, thus perpetuating this beautiful community tradition.
The cortamonte ritual follows a specific sequence where participating couples, to the rhythm of traditional music, take turns chopping at the trunk of the tree. This moment is filled with expectation and joy, as whoever manages to bring it down not only earns the honor of being the sponsor for the next year but also the responsibility of keeping this ancestral tradition alive.
Compadres and comadres party in Cusco
The celebrations of compadres and comadres represent the perfect prologue to the main carnivals, establishing a festive atmosphere that gradually builds up to reach its peak during the central week. These festivities, separated by exactly one week, maintain a dynamic of play and reciprocity that strengthens community social ties.
Compadres’ day: A tribute with humor
Compadres’ Thursday marks the official start of the carnival season in Cusco. On this day, men take center stage by organizing activities that combine humor, music, and the traditional water games that characterize this time of year.
The traditional activities of Compadres’ Day include:
- Morning serenades: Groups of compadres roam the streets playing traditional music
- Organized water games: Friendly competitions between different groups
- Humorous performances: Skits and comedic representations in public squares
- Gift exchanges: Symbolic gifts among compadres
- Preparation of chicha: Community making of traditional beverages
The figure of compadrazgo in Cusco culture transcends simple friendship to become an almost familial bond that implies mutual responsibilities and unconditional support. On this day, these ties are renewed and strengthened through shared celebration.
Cultural Significance: Andean compadrazgo establishes social support networks that function as community safety systems, where each compadre has specific obligations to their compadre’s family.
Comadres’ day: The festive revenge
One week after Compadres’ Day, Cusco women take to the streets to celebrate their day with an energy and creativity that far exceeds the male festivities. Comadres’ Thursday has become a true demonstration of women’s organizational power and creativity in the festive realm.
Cusco comadres are characterized by their meticulous preparation and ability to create spectacles that combine tradition with innovation. Their celebrations include unique elements that clearly distinguish them from the compadres’ festivities:
Exclusive activities
- Elaborate themed parades
- Coordinated group choreographies
- Creativity contests
- Exchange of typical foods
- Rituals of female sisterhood
Distinctive elements
- Coordinated outfits
- More elaborate decorations
- Music with choreographies
- Strategic water games
- More structured organization
The “revenge” represented by the comadres is not simply a response to male activities but a demonstration that female creativity and organization can exceed any expectation. Many Cusqueños consider Comadres’ Day to be more spectacular and memorable than Compadres’ Day.
Closing of the carnivals in Cusco
Temptation Sunday marks the official closing of the Cusco carnival season with a celebration that combines nostalgia, gratitude, and the promise to renew these traditions next year. This day, locally known as “closing of the carnivals,” retains a more reflective yet equally festive character.
During the closing, activities focus on the community evaluation of the celebrations held and the public recognition of those who stood out for their participation and organization. It is common to observe ceremonies of gratitude towards the yunza sponsors and organizers.