Peru Guide

Each year around August 5, the citizens of Motupe, a small town about 80 km (50 miles) north of Chiclayo in the Lambayeque region, and worshippers from across the country pay homage to the Cross of Chalpon with a large pilgrimage festival.

Founded by the Spaniard Garcí Manuel de Carbajal on August 15, 1540, Arequipa celebrates its anniversary each year enthusiastically with festivities throughout the month of August.

As with so many other national products, coffee has its own day of celebration in Peru. Since 2008, the fourth Friday of August is dedicated to Peruvian coffee and promoted with tastings, fairs and special offers.

Already in the 17th century Pope Clemente X designated August 30 to Saint Rose of Lima, the patron saint of Lima, Peru, the Americas and the Philippines. And still today, this day is a public holiday in Peru honoring the devoted and selfless patroness.

Mistura is, or unfortunately correctly until 2017, was the largest and most important food festival in Latin America. Held annually in Lima, it attracted hundreds of thousands of national and international visitors putting the Peruvian capital and Peru on the gastronomic world map.

Each year on the second Sunday in September, Peruvians celebrate the "Dia de la Cocina y Gastronomia Peruana" (Day of the Peruvian cuisine and gastronomy) recognizing the importance and value of the diverse local cuisine in the country and abroad.

October is the purple month in Lima and Limeños pay homage to their most venerated religious figure: El Señor de los Milagros, also known as Cristo de Pachacamilla. Often dressed in purple frocks, worshippers carry an image of the Lord of Miracles, the patron saint of Lima, in huge processions throughout the city.

While on October 31 most think of Halloween, Peru celebrates on that day the Day of the Creole Song (Dia de la Cancion Criolla), an important part of the coastal culture of the country.

November is the time of the year in Lima that many await and lots despise: the Feria Taurina del Señor de los Milagros, the largest bullfight festival in Peru, is held in Lima’s renowned Plaza de Acho.

As so many other religious festivities in the country, the celebration of All Saints’ Day (Día de Todos los Santos Vivos) and All Souls’ Day (Day of the Dead - Día de los Difuntos) is a mixture of Christians elements brought to Peru by the Spanish conquerors and ancient indigenous traditions.