The customs of Peru reveal the richness of a country where Andean and Catholic traditions coexist in festivals, dances, and rituals. From Inti Raymi in Cusco to the Virgin of Candelaria in Puno, each celebration conveys identity and collective memory. Understanding these traditions is a way to connect with the living cultural heritage that unites the nation.
Main customs of Peru
The cultural fusion of Andean and Catholic traditions
In Peru, ritual life combines Andean beliefs with Catholic practices. Processions, offerings, and dances coexist with pre-Hispanic symbols like Pachamama and Inti. The result is a diverse festive calendar where devotion shares space with music, food, and community bonding.
The value of tradition in Peruvian identity
Customs are not just memories of the past: they organize the agricultural year, strengthen neighborhood organization, and provide a sense of belonging. Each region maintains its own ways of celebrating, and this continuity is key to the transmission of language, art, and memory.
Most representative festivities of Peru
The Festival of the Virgin of Candelaria (Puno)
In February, Puno welcomes thousands of dancers and musicians honoring the city’s patroness. The celebration combines masses and processions with choreographic contests. Highlighted are embroidered costumes, elaborate masks, and groups of sikuris that fill the streets and stadium with highland melodies.
The Lord of Miracles: the purple month in Lima
October paints Lima purple. The image travels through the historic center amidst incense, chants, and promises. Families, brotherhoods, and businesses accompany the floats, while traditional sweets like Doña Pepa’s turrón mark the season. It is an expression of popular faith that brings together people from all over the country.
Inti Raymi: the Festival of the Sun in Cusco
Every June 24, Cusco revives an Inca rite dedicated to the sun. The reenactment in Quechua takes place in symbolic spaces like Qorikancha, the Main Square (Plaza de Armas), and Sacsayhuamán. Music from Andean instruments, ceremonial attire, and a historical script make this event a unique experience for locals and visitors alike.
Carnivals in Cajamarca and other regions
In February, carnival is expressed with parades, verses, and the traditional yunza or umisha: a tree loaded with gifts that is toppled to the rhythm of dance. Cajamarca is a reference point, but Ayacucho, Apurímac, and the jungle also celebrate with their own styles, vibrant colors, and festive humor.
The Feast of San Juan in the Peruvian Amazon
June 24 is a central day in the jungle. People share juanes, dances, and fairs, and many communities perform the “blessed bath” in rivers the night before. Iquitos, Tarapoto, Pucallpa, and other cities organize cultural activities that integrate gastronomy, music, and devotion to Saint John the Baptist.
Rituals and cultural expressions
Paying homage to the earth and venerating Pachamama
During August, Andean communities make offerings to thank and seek balance. Coca leaves, grains, flowers, and chicha are arranged on ritual tables that a specialist consecrates. This gesture expresses reciprocity: the earth provides sustenance and, in return, receives care and respect.
Ayacucho retablos as traditional art
The retablo is a decorated box that holds scenes from Andean life: festivals, labor, and myths. Molded and painted figures narrate local stories with patience. This folk art preserves techniques passed down by retablo families and is now a symbol of Ayacucho.
Dances and artistic expressions of Peru
La Diablada, Morenada, and other dances from Puno
These dances combine theatricality, marked steps, and powerful bands. La Diablada confronts good and evil with demon masks; Morenada is known for its cadence and the sound of rattles; Llamerada and Waca Waca recreate trades and tales from the highlands.
Music and traditional costumes in celebrations
Charangos, quenas, zampoñas, and bombos keep the festive pulse alive. The costumes feature fine embroidery, sequins, hats, and masks that identify each group. Behind each garment are family workshops and a creative economy that thrives on the festival calendar.
Importance of customs in cultural tourism
How festivities attract international visitors
Celebrations organize the tourist season and distribute benefits to accommodations, artisans, musicians, and local guides. Those traveling for culture seek clear dates, reliable logistics, and respectful experiences with communities. If you plan to attend any of these events, the guidance of Machu Picchu Wayna can help you coordinate tickets, transfers, and visits without interfering with the rituals.