Festival Calendar

Huaraz and the villages in the Callejón de Huaylas celebrate their Andean roots in traditional festivals that are among Peru's most spirited. If your visit coincides with a regional festival, you'll see a profusion of folk dances, costumed dances (some with extraordinary masks), and the stirring local music that accompanies them, played on exotic instruments such as roncadoras, quenas, and zampoñas. Carnaval, the Fiesta de Mayo, the Semana del Andinismo, the Patron Saint Festival, the Fiesta de las Luces, and Virgen de las Mercedes are among the most festive, but be warned that accommodations are at a premium, and prices skyrocket at these times.

Here's the complete list of regional festivals:

  • January 18 to January 21: La Virgen de Chiquinquirá (Caraz)
  • February or March: Carnaval Huaracino (Huaraz)
  • March or April: Semana Santa and the steps of the pilgrimage (Huaraz and Callejón de Huaylas)
  • May 2 to May 10: Fiesta de Mayo, celebrated with traditional dances, ski races, and a lantern procession (Huaraz)
  • June: Semana del Andinismo, a celebration of outdoor adventure (Huaraz and Callejón de Huaylas)
  • June 22 to June 24: San Juan Bautista, Day of the Indian (Pomabamba and the entire Sierra Andina)
  • July 6 to July 9: La Virgen Santa Isabel (Callejón de Huaylas)
  • July 20 to July 30: Independence Celebration (Huaraz and Caraz)
  • July 28 to July 29: Fiestas Patrias
  • August 1 to August 6: Patron Saint Festival (Coyllur and Huaraz)
  • August 13 to August 16: Virgen de la Asunción (Huata and Chacas)
  • August 29 to August 30: Fiesta Patrona (Chiquián and Santa Rosa)
  • September 14: Fiesta de las Luces (Huaraz)
  • September 14 to September 27: Señor de Burgos (Recuay)
  • September 23 to September 27: Virgen de las Mercedes (Carhuaz)
  • October 5 to October 7: Virgen del Rosario (Huari)
  • October 12: Virgen del Pilar (Ticapampa)
  • October 28: Fiesta Cívica (Yungay)

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.