There are plenty of festival to choose from in Cusco. The Festival of the Sun (Inti Raymi) is officially June 24, but celebrations go on for days before and afterward, with Inca folk dancing, gigantic parades, and vibrant costumes.

Easter Week (Semana Santa) takes place in March or April, depending on the year. This traditional, religious celebration includes several processions through the streets, with the biggest one led by the Lord of Earthquakes on Easter Monday. Stands offering traditional Easter dishes line the streets on Good Friday.

The Festival of the Crosses (Fiesta de las Cruces) goes on in May. Large crosses are decorated and delivered to churches, and crucifix vigils take place on the hilltops. Dancing and festivities offer thanks for the harvest.

Every May or June is the Festival of the Beer, with local and international artists and musicians. People from all over Peru flock to the Garden of the Beer of Cusco on Culture Avenue for three days of festivities.

Corpus Christi in June brings more religious parades that feature 15 effigies of saints. There are festivities at the Plaza de Armas and the Cathedral, which displays the effigies.

The Santuranticuy Festival in December may be the biggest crafts fair in the country. Hundreds of artists display their work in the Plaza de Armas, including saint’s images, ceramics, Nativity figures, and altars.