Christmas in Peru 2026 (Navidad)
About
25 December (Navidad) is a national public holiday in Peru, but the main celebration is Nochebuena on Christmas Eve — a late-night family dinner, often followed by fireworks at midnight. In Cusco the Santuranticuy artisan market animates Christmas Eve.
Highlights
- National public holiday; the big celebration is Christmas Eve (Nochebuena)
- Midnight fireworks and family dinners on 24 December
- Cusco's Santuranticuy nativity market the same evening
Practical tips
- Christmas Eve (24 Dec) is when everything happens — many places close from afternoon
- Book Christmas-period trains and Machu Picchu tickets well ahead
Other upcoming events
Inti Raymi (Festival of the Sun)
The Inca winter-solstice rite to Inti, the sun, re-enacted each year above Cusco at the fortress of Sacsayhuamán — the headline event of the Andean dry season, with hundreds of costumed performers.
Saints Peter and Paul in Peru 2026 (San Pedro y San Pablo)
29 June, the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul (San Pedro y San Pablo), is a Peruvian national public holiday, especially celebrated in fishing communities as a day honouring fishermen.
Machu Picchu Discovery Day 2026 (July 7)
July 7 marks the 1911 discovery of Machu Picchu by Hiram Bingham — and, since 2007, its naming as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Cusco and Aguas Calientes mark the day with decorations, parades, folk music, dance and Pachamama offerings.