Holy Week in Cusco

Holy Week in Cusco is one of the most important and emotional religious celebrations in Peru. This ancient capital of the Inca Empire transforms every year into a sacred stage where Catholic traditions masterfully blend with elements of the Andean worldview, creating a unique spiritual experience that attracts thousands of visitors from around the world.

During these holy days, the cobbled streets of Cusco’s historic center are filled with solemn processions, ancestral chants, and the aroma of incense mixed with the pure air of the Andes. The city, declared a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, offers an incomparable setting for experiencing an authentic Holy Week, where each ceremony tells a story of faith passed down through generations.

This celebration is not only a religious event but also a deep cultural manifestation that reflects the mixed identity of the Cusco people. Here, Catholic fervor intertwines with pre-Hispanic rituals, creating a spiritual experience that transcends cultural boundaries and connects participants with the sacred in an extraordinary way.

Holy Week 2026 Dates and Liturgical Calendar in Cusco

Holy Week in Cusco follows the Catholic liturgical calendar, beginning on Palm Sunday and ending on Easter Sunday. The dates vary each year based on astronomical calculations established by the Catholic Church.

Important Fact: Easter Monday in Cusco features the famous Procession of the Lord of the Earthquakes, considered the most important event of Holy Week in Cusco and declared National Cultural Heritage.

Liturgical Day	2026 Date	Main Event	Approximate Time
Palm Sunday	March 24	Blessing of palms and procession	10:00 AM
Holy Monday	March 25	Solemn Mass in the Cathedral	7:00 PM
Holy Tuesday	March 26	Procession of Our Lady of Sorrows	6:00 PM
Holy Wednesday	March 27	Stations of the Cross through the streets	7:00 PM
Holy Thursday	March 28	Washing of the feet and Eucharist	6:00 PM
Good Friday	March 29	Procession of the Holy Sepulchre	3:00 PM
Holy Saturday	March 30	Easter Vigil	8:00 PM
Easter Sunday	March 31	Resurrection Mass	10:00 AM

Most Important Holy Week Events and Processions in Cusco

Holy Week celebrations in Cusco are known for their solemnity and massive local participation. Each day features specific events that blend Catholic liturgy with unique Andean cultural expressions.

Procession of the Lord of the Earthquakes: The Crown Jewel

The Procession of the Lord of the Earthquakes, locally known as “Taytacha Temblores,” is the most iconic and emotional event of Holy Week in Cusco. Traditionally held on Holy Monday, it traces back to the 17th century when an earthquake devastated Cusco.

The image of the Crucified Christ, carved in wood and of colonial origin, is venerated for its supposed power to protect the city from earthquakes. During the procession, which travels through the main streets of the historic center, thousands of faithful accompany the image with songs in Quechua and Spanish, creating an atmosphere of profound spirituality.

Unique features of the procession:

• Approximately 8 hours long
• Route of 3.5 kilometers through the historic center
• Participation of over 100,000 people
• Accompanied by traditional music bands
• Rain of red flower petals (ñucchu)

Distinctive cultural elements:

• Chants in ancestral Quechua
• Traditional Andean garments
• Offerings of flowers and candles
• Folk dances during the route
• Special blessings at key points

Masses and Religious Ceremonies in Cusco Cathedral

The Basilica Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin, a 16th-century colonial structure built on the foundations of Inca Viracocha’s palace, becomes the spiritual epicenter of Holy Week celebrations. Its liturgical ceremonies combine the solemnity of the Catholic rite with unique musical and artistic elements from the Andean region.

Holy Week Masses at Cusco Cathedral are distinguished by their extraordinary musical richness, where colonial baroque compositions are performed alongside traditional Andean melodies. The cathedral choir, accompanied by native instruments such as quenas and charangos, creates a sonic experience that transports attendees to the past.

“Cusco Cathedral during Holy Week becomes a bridge between heaven and earth, where ancestral voices rise in prayer alongside traditional liturgical chants.” – Monsignor Richard Daniel Alarcón Urrutia, Archbishop of Cusco

Special Ceremonies in the Cathedral:

1. Holy Thursday: Foot Washing Ceremony and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
2. Good Friday: Passion Liturgy and Veneration of the Cross
3. Holy Saturday: Easter Vigil with blessing of the new fire
4. Easter Sunday: Solemn Easter Mass with Te Deum

Traditional Customs and Cuisine During Holy Week

Holy Week in Cusco is not only experienced through religious ceremonies but also through ancestral culinary traditions that have been preserved for centuries. The gastronomy of these sacred days reflects the region’s characteristic cultural syncretism, where pre-Hispanic ingredients combine with colonial culinary techniques.

Traditional Dish	Main Ingredients	Day Consumed	Cultural Significance
Cusco Fanesca	12 Andean grains, codfish, milk	Holy Thursday and Good Friday	Represents the 12 apostles
Vigil Empanadas	Cheese, chard, egg, flour dough	Good Friday	Meat-free dish for penance
Pumpkin Porridge	Pumpkin, milk, cinnamon, sugar	All week	Traditional dessert for reflection
Cusqueñan Fish	Trout, yellow chili, spices	Good Friday	Meat substitute
Blessed Bread	Flour, lard, anise, eggs	Palm Sunday	Consecrated ceremonial bread

Family and Community Traditions

Cusco families maintain specific customs during Holy Week that strengthen community bonds and pass on cultural values to new generations. These traditions include the collective preparation of food, the creation of floral carpets for processions, and participation in family prayer groups.

• Creating floral carpets: Families in the historic center create beautiful carpets with flower petals over which processions will pass
• Visit to the seven churches: Holy Thursday tradition where families visit seven different churches to pray
• Preparing fanesca: A family culinary ritual that can take an entire day to prepare
• Sharing blessed bread: Tradition of exchanging ceremonial bread with neighbors and relatives
• Fasting and reflection: Spiritual practices including periods of fasting and community meditation

Must-Visit Places in Cusco During Holy Week

During Holy Week, certain places in Cusco gain a special spiritual dimension, becoming sacred spaces where history, faith, and culture meet in extraordinary ways. These sites not only offer profound religious experiences but also unique opportunities to understand the cultural richness of the Cusco people.

Main Temples and Sacred Spaces

Basilica Cathedral of Cusco

The city’s most important temple, where the main liturgical ceremonies take place. Its colonial architecture and sacred artworks make it a living museum of Cusqueñan faith.

Church of the Society of Jesus

Considered a jewel of Andean baroque, this Jesuit church houses major works of the Cusco School of painting and hosts special Holy Week ceremonies.

Temple of San Blas

Famous for its carved wooden pulpit, this small temple in the artisan San Blas neighborhood offers a more intimate experience of Cusco’s spirituality.

Church of San Pedro

Located near the central market, this church is especially venerated by local merchants and artisans, who organize special processions during the holy week.

Viewpoints and Contemplative Spaces

Cusco offers several natural viewpoints where the city can be admired and the grandeur of creation reflected upon during these days of spiritual retreat.

1. San Cristóbal Viewpoint: Offers a panoramic view of the entire city and is ideal for contemplation at dawn
2. Sacsayhuamán: The Inca fortress becomes a place for reflecting on the continuity of Andean culture
3. San Blas neighborhood: Its steep streets and artisan workshops keep Cusco’s cultural tradition alive
4. Plaza de Armas: The heart of all celebrations, where the most important processions converge

Special Recommendation: During the main processions, the colonial balconies of the historic center open to the public, offering unique perspectives of the celebrations from above.

Practical Tips for Traveling to Cusco During Holy Week

Planning a trip to Cusco during Holy Week requires special preparation due to high tourist demand and the unique nature of these celebrations. The city receives a significant influx of both national and international visitors, making it essential to take specific precautions to ensure a satisfactory experience.

Planning and Booking in Advance

Holy Week is considered high season in Cusco, so availability for lodging and tourist services is greatly reduced. It is crucial to make reservations at least 3 months in advance to secure quality options at reasonable prices.