Inti Raymi and Cusco’s great festivals
If you can time your trip for June, do it. Cusco in festival season is one of the great spectacles of the Americas — and at its heart is Inti Raymi, the Inca Festival of the Sun, watched by tens of thousands.
Inti Raymi — the Festival of the Sun
Held every 24 June, Inti Raymi recreates the Inca winter-solstice ceremony with hundreds of costumed performers across three stages, ending at the great fortress of Sacsayhuamán. It is the highlight of Cusco’s calendar.
The festival calendar
| Festival | When | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Carnival | February | Water, music and dancing |
| Corpus Christi | May/June | Saints’ processions and feasting |
| Qoyllur Rit’i | May/June | High-altitude pilgrimage to a glacier |
| Inti Raymi | 24 June | The Inca Festival of the Sun |
| Fiestas Patrias | 28–29 July | Peru’s national independence days |
Planning around the festivals
June is busy and magical, but hotels, trains and Inca Trail permits book up fast — reserve early and check the permit calendar. Pair the festivals with a city tour to understand the Inca roots behind them.
Visit in festival season
Book early for June — see live availability now.
Frequently asked questions
Inti Raymi, the Inca Festival of the Sun, takes place every year on 24 June, with the main ceremony at Sacsayhuamán above Cusco.
Yes — it is dry season and festival season, the most vibrant time of year. Just book accommodation, trains and Inca Trail permits well in advance.
You can watch parts for free in the city, but the main Sacsayhuamán ceremony has ticketed seating that sells out, so arrange it ahead.