Cusco Festivals 2026: Complete Calendar of Events, Parades and Ceremonies of the Jubilee Month

Why June is the most important month in Cusco

If there is a month in which Cusco stops being a quiet city and becomes a giant stage of dance, music, faith and tradition, that is June. It is no coincidence that the people of Cusco call this period the Jubilee Month: for 30 days, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire celebrates its anniversary, but also revives ancestral ceremonies that date back long before the arrival of the Spanish.

Here is a fact few tourists know: although the city was officially founded by the Spanish on March 23, 1534, Cusco authorities decided in the 20th century to move the anniversary celebration to June 24, just to coincide with Inti Raymi, the Festival of the Sun. The result? A whole month of festivities mixing Catholic processions, civic parades, gastronomic fairs and Inca rituals. In August 2026, when you look at the photos of your trip, you will understand why it is worth planning everything in advance.

In this guide, I give you the complete calendar of the Cusco Festivals 2026, the key Inti Raymi schedules, where to eat without falling into tourist traps and how to get around a city that will literally be partying from start to finish.

Day-by-day calendar: Cusco Festivals 2026

The jubilee month is not a single event, but a marathon of activities. I recommend printing this list or saving it on your phone because each day has something different. The 2026 dates follow the traditional structure organized by EMUFEC (Empresa Municipal de Festejos del Cusco), so you can trust that the program will remain with few changes.

First fortnight: Corpus Christi and the first parades

The main celebration kicks off with Corpus Christi, a Catholic celebration that here acquires a unique Andean nuance. The fifteen images of saints and virgins from Cusco parishes are carried in procession to the Cusco Cathedral. For days, the faithful take turns watching over them and offering them food, especially the famous chiriuchu, a cold dish with guinea pig, chicken, egg omelet, cheese, rocoto, corn, coca and chorizo, served on a flat stone.

• June 7: Cusco Flag Day. Hoisting at the Plaza de Armas from early on.
• June 8: Beginner-level dances: the little ones parade in traditional costumes. It is cute and very photogenic.
• June 9: Parade of the Universidad Andina del Cusco (UAC).
• June 10: Parade of Universidad Continental.
• June 11: Return of the Saints to their parishes, closing Corpus Christi. The streets fill with flower carpets and songs.
• June 13: "Saludo del Perú al Cusco" parade, with delegations from all over the country.
• June 14: Flag hoisting and special parades at the Plaza de Armas.
• June 15: Parade of Higher Education Institutes and CETPROS.

During these days, the Plaza de Armas becomes the epicenter. The stands are set up around the square and access to the central perimeter is restricted, so get ready to walk and find a good angle. If you want to watch the parades comfortably, buy a seat in the stands (prices vary depending on proximity) or arrive an hour early if you prefer to watch from the improvised bleachers that locals set up.

Second fortnight: The final stretch towards Inti Raymi

The second half of the month raises the intensity. Universities, schools and folk groups take turns showing their dances, but the most important days are those approaching the winter solstice.

• June 16: Parade of the Universidad Nacional de San Antonio Abad del Cusco (UNSAAC), the oldest in the region.
• June 17: Primary-level dances. Hundreds of children dancing huaynos and carnivals is a spectacle you cannot miss.
• June 18: Secondary-level dances. Teenagers show more complex and colorful choreographies.
• June 20: Parade of allegories and anniversary of Colegio Inca Garcilaso de la Vega.
• June 21: Father's Day, but also Andean New Year (Willka Kuti). At Sacsayhuamán and other sacred sites, dawn ceremonies are held with offerings to Pachamama.
• June 21: First Corso de las Empresas "Saludo al Cusco", a nighttime parade with floats and comparsas.
• June 23: Institutional Civic Parade. It is the most formal: local authorities, police and the army parade in honor of the city.
• June 24: Inti Raymi, the big day. The main ceremony takes place at Sacsayhuamán.

A local tip: June 23 is eve night. The streets fill with bonfires, music and spontaneous dancing. If you have energy, go for a walk through the center and join the party. We Cusqueños are very open with visitors who show respect and a desire to share.

Inti Raymi in detail: schedules, tickets and where to watch for free

Inti Raymi is the largest theatrical performance in Latin America. Every June 24, more than 800 actors recreate the ceremony that the Incas dedicated to the Sun god (Inti). The staging is divided into three acts, each in a different setting in the city. If you do not know the logistics, you could miss half the event. Here I explain it step by step:

First act: Qoricancha (10:00 a.m.)

The ceremony begins at the Qoricancha, the ancient Temple of the Sun, now converted into the Santo Domingo convent. The Inca (the lead actor) enters the site and makes an invocation to Inti. This act is short, around 30 minutes, but it is the most intimate and solemn.

To see it, you have two options: buy a ticket in the stands set up in front of the temple (reference prices in August 2026 range between $80 and $150 soles, depending on location) or position yourself on Intiqhawarina street and watch the Inca's arrival from outside. It is not the same, but you still feel the energy.

Second act: Plaza de Armas (11:00 a.m.)

The Inca and his entourage move in procession to the Plaza de Armas. Here occurs the famous "chicha de jora" (fermented corn drink) and the Inca's speech to the people. The stands surround the square and prices rise considerably: between $150 and $400 soles per person. If you do not want to pay, you can watch from the balconies of the restaurants facing the square, but beware: many require a minimum consumption and fill up from 7 a.m.

Third act: Sacsayhuamán (1:30 p.m.)

The main act, the most spectacular, takes place on the esplanade of Sacsayhuamán, the Inca ceremonial fortress a 20-minute walk from the center. Here the symbolic sacrifice of a llama is performed (the animal is not harmed, it is part of the performance) and the Inca receives the energy of the Sun. The natural terraces of the hill become an amphitheater with capacity for thousands of people.

Tickets for Sacsayhuamán are the most expensive and the hardest to get. They are sold through authorized agencies and EMUFEC, with prices ranging between $200 and $600 soles for foreigners. The cheapest seats are in the upper area, but the view is equally good. If you travel on a tight budget, there is a free option: climb the slopes of Picchu hill (next to Sacsayhuamán) from where you can see the whole ceremony in the distance. Arrive before 11 a.m. to get a good spot.

Fun fact: Inti Raymi was banned by the Spanish in 1572 and was only recovered in 1944, thanks to an initiative by Cusco intellectuals who wanted to revive the tradition. Since then, it has not been suspended for a single year, even during the 2020 pandemic it was held virtually.

Where to eat and drink during the festivals

June is the perfect month to try dishes that are only prepared on these dates. Chiriuchu is the undisputed king: you will find it in markets and traditional restaurants. One of the best places to try it is the Mercado Central de San Pedro, where food stalls offer generous portions from 25 soles. There are also gastronomic festivals organized by the municipality, such as the Festival Gastronómico del Chiriuchu, which usually takes place in late May and early June.

If you want something more formal, here are my recommendations:

• Pachapapa (Calle Carmen Bajo 120, San Blas): modern Andean cuisine with dishes like baked guinea pig and chicharrón. Portions are large and the atmosphere is cozy. Average price: 60-90 soles per person.
• Chicha por Gastón Acurio (Calle Plaza Regocijo 261): by the renowned Peruvian chef, offers a reinterpretation of Cusco cuisine. The lomo saltado and causa are unmissable. Average price: 80-120 soles.
• La Cusqueñita (Calle Triunfo 393): a classic for lunch with an executive menu for 15-20 soles. It is not fancy, but the food is homemade and abundant.

To drink, you cannot leave without trying chicha de jora in the bars of Plaza San Blas or a pisco sour at the legendary bar Los Perros (Calle Tesoros 460). During the festivals, many bars organize live music nights with local sikuri and huayno bands.

How to get there and transportation during the festivals

Getting to Cusco in June is relatively easy because it is high season, but you need to plan ahead. The Aeropuerto Internacional Alejandro Velasco Astete receives direct flights from Lima, Arequipa and some South American cities. In 2026, the new Chinchero airport is expected to be operational, which could streamline flights, but check the status of the works before traveling.

If you come by land, buses from Lima take around 20 hours. The most recommended companies are Cruz del Sur and Oltursa, with tickets from 150 soles in semi-cama service.

Once in the city, public transportation is chaotic but functional. Colectivos (minivans) cover the main routes for 1 sol, but during the festivals the streets of the center are closed to traffic, so the best option is to walk. The city is compact: from the Plaza de Armas to Sacsayhuamán is only a 25-minute walk, although with the altitude it feels like 40. If you are not acclimatized, take a taxi (prices go up in June, so agree on the fare before getting in) or a mototaxi.

For June 24, traffic is total chaos. Taxis cannot get close to Sacsayhuamán