MARINERA NATIONAL CONTEST
Last week of January – Trujillo, La Libertad

The Marinera is one of the best-known folk dances of Peru. It is practiced in almost all regions, though with some variations. Every Year, The Marinera National Contest is held in the city of Trujillo, some 550 kilometers north of Lima, where the best couples in the country compete in different categories. Several activities take place in the city during this week, including parades, the traditional Baile del Perol (Pot’s Dance Ball) where everybody dresses in white, art exhibitions, etc.

FESTIVAL OF THE VIRGIN OF LA CANDELARIA
February 2 – Puno, Puno

The city of Puno is located on the banks of Lake Titicaca and at 3870 meters above sea level. It is considered by many the folk art Capital of the continent and it is here that the biggest celebration to honor the Virgin of La Candelaria takes place every year in February. Mass ceremonies and fireworks start the last week of January, although the main day is February 2, when the image of the Virgin is carried out of the church on the shoulders of the townspeople. This procession is accompanied by folk dance groups dressed with colorful clothes and masks. There are approximately 60 to 80 groups participating in it every year, each consisting of 100 to 250 members. The day of the Octava (generally the first Sunday after February 2) and the day after, the streets of Puno are taken over by folk dancers passing by the Church of San Juan to pay homage to the Virgin. 

HOLY WEEK IN TARMA
Holy Week – Tarma, Junin

A 300-kilometer/5 hour ride east of Lima, going through La Oroya (at 3726 meters above sea level) takes to Tarma, known as “the Pearl of the Andes” because of the beautiful scenery that surrounds it. It is also known for the celebrations of the Holy Week, during which Tarma is host to impressive candle light evening processions. Festivities start two weeks before Good Friday and ends on Palm Sunday with the blessing of the Palms and the traditional procession of the image of Christ riding a donkey through the main square. Especially remarkable are the carpets made of flower petals that are laid on the Streets

PERUVIAN PASO HORSE NATIONAL COMPETITION
April – Mamacona, Lima

The Peruvian Paso horse descended from the bloodstock that was brought to Peru by the Spaniards, who at the time were the foremost horse breeders in the world. Since no outside blood has been introduced for several centuries, the purebred Peruvian Paso horse has developed the gait (a particular pattern of moving on foot) that has become its trademark. Every Year, Peruvian Paso horse breeders bring their best horses to Mamacona (a former ranch 30 kilometers south of Lima) to participate in the National Competition that lasts one week. The activities include exhibitions of the champions, folk dances and music, a handicraft fair and stalls of typical food from the different regions of Peru

MAY FESTIVAL
First ten days of May – Huaraz, Ancash

Huaraz is located 417 kilometers north of Lima, near the highest tropical mountain range: the Cordillera Blanca. It is a point of departure for many trekking routes. Its patron saint is the Señor de la Soledad (Lord of Solitude), and his is one the most important celebrations in this city. It starts with the festival of Mayordomos (Hosts). On may 2 there is an evening serenade with fireworks. On May 3, the main day, the image of the Lord of Solitude is taken out of his church in a procession of the faithful that is accompanied by folk dancers. During the Octava (generally May 9) more musicians and folk dancers come from different towns of the region to pay homage to the Lord. The festival ends on the next day, known as the Colocación, with a mass and the last procession.

CHAKKU FESTIVAL
June 24 – Pampa Galeras National Reserve, Ayacucho

Pampa Galeras National Reserve, located some 350 kilometers east of Nazca in the department of Ica, was created to protect one of the most precious animal species in Peru: the vicuna. This South America camelid’s wool is coveted for its softness and delicacy. To make use of it without having to kill the animal, peasants perform the Chakku. This pre-Hispanic ritual consists of encircling the vicunas to flush them out of the mountains and into a corral. Once there, the vicunas are selected for shearing. The Chakku is preceded by social and cultural activities, as well as by a Pagapu, which is homage to the Pachamama or Mother Earth.

NATIVE HOLIDAYS
July 28-29 - Peru

The eve of the Independence Day is celebrated in Peru with serenades to the sound of Creole paces and folk music in plazas and public parks. On July 28, the Te Deum ceremony is performed in the cathedral, which includes the presence of the president of the country, and then the military parade begins in Lima’s downtown. The Home Fair, the biggest commercial event of Peru, and the Fair of La Molina also open its doors during July. In several cities of the country farming and cattle fairs are organized (Cajamarca, Piura, Monsefu).

JUBILEE FESTIVAL OF AREQUIPA
August 15 – Arequipa, Arequipa

Arequipa is the second largest city in Peru and is also known as the white city, since the most important colonial buildings were built of a white volcanic rock from a nearby quarry. The city was founded on August 15, 1540, and the anniversary of its foundation is the most important non-religious celebration in the region. Some of the most awaited activities are the competition of Tunas (musical choral groups) that serenade the city, walking from street to street, and the traditional bullfights that takes place at the Cerro Juli Plaza. On the anniversary’s Eve, there is a Grand Serenade and fireworks, and on August 15, the Friendship Parade includes musical and dance groups, beauty queens carried on traditional colorful carriages, and Peruvian Paso horse exhibitions.

INTERNATIONAL SPRING FESTIVAL
Last week of September – Trujillo La Libertad

Trujillo is known as the "City of the Eternal Spring” because of its mild weather. Every year local authorities organize a festival to celebrate the arrival of this season, which has become the most important event of Peru’s northern region. Various social and cultural activities take place during the International Spring Festival, such as handicraft and arts exhibitions, concerts of both classical and folk music, sports competitions, gastronomy contests, a beauty pageant and the traditional closing parade.

PROCESSION OF THE LORD OF THE MIRACLES
October 18, 19 and 28 - Lima, Lima

This procession has its roots in the Colonial era, when an Angolan slave painted the image of the crucified Christ on the wall of a now long-gone church in the Lima neighborhood of Pachacamilla. It quickly became an object of worship as it survived intact an earthquake that toppled most of Lima. The procession is the largest gathering of believers on the continent. They depart from the Church of Nazarenas in downtown Lima carried forth on the shoulders of the faithful to tour the main streets and districts of the capital in the course of several days. The image is carried on a litter crafted from silver and precious stones. The traditional and popular sweet cake called Turrón de Doña Pepa is prepared throughout the month.

RE-ENACTMENT OF THE EMERGENCE FROM LAKE TITICACA
November 5 – Titicaca Lake, Puno

According to the most popular legend explaining the creation of the Inca Empire, Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo emerged from Lake Titicaca searching for where to found what would become the capital of the Empire. This legend is re-enacted every year. The mythical couple departs from the island in the lake and arrives in the dock of the city of Puno, where a retinue awaits to take them to the place where a thanksgiving ritual is performed, followed by dancers and musicians of the nearby communities.

FESTIVAL OF THE VIRGIN OF EL CARMEN
December 27 – Chincha, Ica

The Village of El Carmen is located 200 kilometers south of Lima. To pay homage to their patron saint, the Virgin of El Carmen, the locals join together Christmas Eve and the day of the Virgin (December 27). This is an ancient festivity that has not only a religious side, but also a musical one, mixing Andean-Afro-Peruvian rhythms. The traditional “Dance of the Shepherds” dates back to the 17th century.