Holiday season in Peru: How it’s celebrated
Celebrating the holiday season in Peru offers a journey through diverse culture customs and traditions. Christmas and New Year are expressed differently across the country—shaped by geography, history, and local identity: In the coast (where Lima is located, the holidays take place during the height of summer, in contrast to the deep-rooted Andean traditions of Cusco, Peru’s holidays reveal the richness of its regional cultures.
For culturally curious travelers, the end of the year is an ideal time to experience Peru beyond its landmarks.
Lima: Coastal Traditions and Festive Urban Life
The city’s coastal location and summer climate influence the atmosphere and cuisine. Holiday tables often include turkey and various salads, as well as traditional favorites like panetón and hot chocolate—a classic Peruvian pairing, regardless of the season.
Many Peruvians follow the tradition of setting up a symbolic "nacimiento," depicting the birth of baby Jesus, with figures of Mary, Joseph, the Three Wise Men, and animals, as the country and Christmas celebrations are deeply related to the Catholic Church. This can usually be found in many Peruvian homes next to the classic Christmas tree. Churches across the city also have this representation, which is one of the most symbolic attractions and reflects the creativity of families.
New Year’s Eve is lively with fireworks, music, and celebrations throughout the city, especially in seaside areas and on city viewpoints.
Suggested holiday experiences in Lima:
Visit historic churches and plazas decorated for the season: Lima’s historic center is also decorated for Christmas, and a particular neighborhood, Calle Monte Umbroso in San Borja, attracts many locals every year.
Explore local markets and bakeries filled with holiday treats
Enjoy a festive dinner! Many hotels and restaurants offer special menus during this time of year.
Watch New Year’s fireworks from the coast or city viewpoints
Cusco: Andean Heritage and Spiritual Traditions
In contrast, Cusco’s holiday celebrations are deeply influenced by Andean culture and spirituality. Community, symbolism, and tradition take center stage, offering travelers an authentic cultural experience.
A highlight of the season is the Santurantikuy Market, held every December 24 in Cusco’s main square. Artisans from surrounding communities gather to sell handmade nativity figures, religious art, and traditional crafts—making it one of the most meaningful cultural events of the year.
Nativity scenes often reflect Andean life, incorporating local clothing, animals, and landscapes, while celebrations remain intimate and community-focused.
Suggested holiday experiences in Cusco:
Visit the Santurantikuy Market in Plaza de Armas
Attend a Christmas Eve mass in Cusco Cathedral
Explore nearby Andean villages decorated for the season
Enjoy traditional highland cuisine in a local home or restaurant
Food as a Cultural Expression Across Regions
Food plays a central role in Peru’s holiday season, though traditions vary by region.
Panetón is enjoyed nationwide, while regional dishes reflect local ingredients and cultural identity. This lighter, fluffier, and sweeter version of the classic Italian panettone, packed with candied fruit, is the centerpiece of many Christmas dinners and gatherings. For Peruvians, a Christmas dinner or table is incomplete without panetón. The market offers a variety of options for every budget, from supermarket versions to premium artisanal ones. Peru is a panetón powerhouse with massive production, so if you are in the country during the holidays, be sure to try some!
Seafood and fresh produce dominate the menu on the coast, but turkey is a staple of most Christmas dinners. It is typically served with a side salad or various rice dishes, the local’s favorite accompaniment.
In the Andes, heartier dishes and warm beverages are more common due to the weather. Traditionally, the star of the table is pork (or chicharrón - fried pork) with mote(peeled and boiled corn kernels) and canchita(toasted andean corn) on the side.
For travelers, holiday meals offer a delicious way to understand Peru’s diversity.
Suggested culinary experiences:
Try panetón in local bakeries or restaurants, there are different options and there are even more commercial options in supermarkets.
Join a cooking experience focused on holiday dishes
Visit markets to discover regional holiday ingredients
New Year’s Eve: Shared Customs, Local Variations
New Year’s Eve unites Peruvians across the country through shared traditions—wearing yellow for good luck, eating grapes with 12 wishes for the new year, and enjoying fireworks at midnight.
At the same time, each region celebrates in its own way, whether through neighborhood gatherings in Lima or community celebrations in Cusco’s plazas.
Suggested New Year’s experiences:
Participate in local traditions and rituals for good fortune (one of most classic in the capital is eating 12 grapes at the clock of the New Year - each one with a special wish or the easiest one, wearing something yellow).
Celebrate in a central plaza or a public gathering: Cusco’s New Year countdown is one of the most massive events accross the country, the main plaza is filled with locals and tourists celebrating and waiting to the final countdown of the year together, followed by the fireworks
Enjoy a festive dinner followed by midnight celebrations
A Cultural Journey Through the Holidays
Experiencing the holidays in Peru allows travelers to:
Witness regional traditions shaped by the regions
Participate in meaningful cultural events like Santurantikuy
Discover how food reflects local identity
Experience the holidays through local life and customs
Rather than a single celebration, Peru’s holiday season is a mosaic of regional expressions, offering travelers a deeper, more meaningful connection to the country—especially for those seeking cultural immersion during the most festive time of the year.
New Year’s celebration in Cusco Main Plaza