Festivals in Cusco in June 2025

There are months that go by unnoticed, and there are months that define a people’s identity. June in Cusco is far from ordinary—it’s a time of pride, living memory, and collective expression. The streets fill with music, traditional outfits bloom in every corner, and even the air feels charged with history. This is not just about watching parades or snapping photos; it’s about feeling, about being part of a city that celebrates what it is, what it was, and what it continues to be.

Why is June the Jubilee Month in Cusco?

One of the most beloved aspects of the Jubilee Month is the parade of educational institutions. From preschools to universities, students prepare for weeks to proudly display their cultural expressions and love for their city.

Highlights include:

• June 11–12: Elementary and high school parades. These days are especially recommended—full of color, energy, and joy.
• June 16: The National University of Art “Diego Quispe Tito” showcases impressive giant mobile sculptures. It’s a must-see.

These parades aren’t just formalities. They’re heartfelt expressions of cultural pride, where young people perform traditional dances, wear regional outfits, and bring history to life through their presentations.

June 10–23: Traditional Dance Parades

The atmosphere in the Plaza de Armas is full of music, traditional dances, handmade costumes, and symbolic representations of Cusco’s rich culture. It’s a living classroom where visitors and locals alike can appreciate the region’s deep identity and the strong sense of community that binds its people.

If you’re in Cusco during these dates, don’t miss the chance to walk among the crowds, enjoy the performances, and celebrate with the locals. It’s one of the most authentic ways to connect with the heart of the city—through the passion of its people.

• June 10: Initial educational institutions.
• June 11: Primary-level educational institutions. (Highly recommended seeing)
• June 12: Secondary educational institutions. (Highly recommended seeing)
• June 13: Higher education institutions.
• June 14: Universidad Tecnológica de los Andes.
• June 15: Colleges of Journalists of Peru and journalistic institutions.
• June 16: National University of Art “Diego Quispe Tito”. (Parade of giant mobile sculptures – Highly recommended seeing)
• June 17: Andean University of Cusco.
• June 18: National University of San Antonio Abad del Cusco.
• June 19: Inca Garcilaso de la Vega Educational.
• June 22: Parade of the 13 provinces of Cusco.
• June 23: Civic Parade of private institutions of the region.

June 15–18: The Lord of Qoyllority

The pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of Qoyllority is one of the most powerful spiritual experiences in the Andes. Thousands walk to the Sinakara glacier, where the image of Christ is venerated. But this is not an ordinary Catholic event—it’s a deep expression of Andean syncretism, blending worship of Christ with offerings to the Apus (sacred mountain spirits).

There are prayers, music, dances, and spiritual acts. Some pilgrims arrive on their knees or carrying heavy crosses as acts of devotion. The ukukus, half-man, half-bear characters, play a crucial role as protectors of the mountain and guides in the ritual.

Qoyllority is not a show. It’s a living, breathing journey of faith, resilience, and cultural identity.

June 19: Corpus Christi and Chiriuchu Festival

Corpus Christi is one of Cusco’s most significant Catholic celebrations. Fifteen sacred images—saints and virgins from different churches—are carried in majestic processions to the Cathedral. Bands play, incense fills the air, and thousands of locals gather in reverence.

That same day, another celebration takes place: the Chiriuchu Gastronomic Festival. Chiriuchu is a traditional cold dish representing the three regions of Peru—coast, highlands, and jungle. It includes roasted guinea pig, chicken, chorizo, cheese, corn tortilla, fish roe, seaweed, and more, served over corn husks. Sharing chiriuchu is a way of honoring Cusco’s diversity and abundance.

June 21: Andean New Year and Night of Lights

The Willka Kuti, or Andean New Year, aligns with the winter solstice in the Southern Hemisphere. It marks the return of the Sun, and for Andean communities, it’s a deeply spiritual event. People perform rituals to thank the Pachamama (Mother Earth) and the Tayta Inti (Father Sun) for life and abundance.

Across the city and surrounding communities, offerings to the earth are made, accompanied by music and prayer.

At night, the Night of Lights and Sound brings celebration to the heart of Cusco. Fireworks, concerts, and cultural shows create a magical atmosphere in the Plaza de Armas.

June 24: Inti Raymi – The Festival of the Sun

The most iconic celebration of Cusco, Inti Raymi, honors the Sun God in a grand re-enactment of the ancient Inca ceremony. Once celebrated by the Inca Pachacútec, this ritual was revived and dramatized to preserve history and heritage.

The event takes place across three main locations:

1. Qoricancha: The Inca greets the sun at the Temple of the Sun.
2. Plaza de Armas: Delegations from the four regions of the Inca Empire arrive to pay homage.
3. Sacsayhuamán: The main stage, where the ceremony culminates with dances, rituals, and a symbolic llama sacrifice.

Over 600 actors and musicians participate. Attending Inti Raymi is like traveling through time, immersing yourself in the spiritual strength of the Inca civilization.

June 26: Octava del Chiriuchu

A week after Corpus Christi, people gather once more to share and enjoy Chiriuchu, continuing the celebration in a spirit of togetherness. It’s a reminder that gastronomy is also a way to celebrate culture, and that traditions live on through taste and memory.

Living, Feeling, and Celebrating Cusco

June in Cusco is more than just a series of events—it’s a deep expression of identity. Every step, every dance, every drumbeat tells a story passed down for centuries. Whether you’re watching a school parade, tasting chiriuchu, or standing in awe during Inti Raymi, you’re not just visiting a city—you’re becoming part of its heartbeat.

If you come to Cusco in June, don’t just observe. Take it in, participate, and allow yourself to feel the energy that only a city with a soul like Cusco can offer.