National Holidays in Peru 2026
Updated Date:
Author: HowToPeru Editorial Team
Quick Summary: Peru has 16 national public holidays in 2026, including New Year’s Day, Easter holidays, Fiestas Patrias, several important military anniversaries and Christmas Day. Holidays can affect opening hours, transport and accommodation, so travelers should check dates before finalizing an itinerary. This guide lists Peru’s official national holidays for 2026 and highlights some of the major annual festivals that can also affect travel.
Peru Independence Day, July 28
National holidays in Peru include familiar events like Christmas and New Year’s Day, as well as strictly Peruvian holidays such as the Battle of Angamos, Battle of Junín and Peru’s Independence Day. Whatever the occasion, many provide a good excuse for a celebration and, in true Peruvian fashion, a party or two.
Apart from advanced party planning, knowing when a national holiday is coming up is useful for more practical reasons. Shops, banks, government offices and other services may close or operate reduced hours. Transport and accommodation can also fill up quickly around the busiest holiday periods.
If your Peru itinerary falls around Easter, Fiestas Patrias or another major holiday, it is worth booking important transport and hotels in advance.
National Holidays in Peru in 2026
The following are Peru’s national public holidays for 2026:
- January 1, Thursday: New Year’s Day (Año Nuevo)
- April 2, Thursday: Maundy Thursday (Jueves Santo)
- April 3, Friday: Good Friday (Viernes Santo)
- May 1, Friday: Labour Day (Día del Trabajo)
- June 7, Sunday: Battle of Arica and Flag Day (Batalla de Arica y Día de la Bandera)
- June 29, Monday: St Peter’s and St Paul’s Day (Día de San Pedro y San Pablo)
- July 23, Thursday: Peruvian Air Force Day (Día de la Fuerza Aérea del Perú)
- July 28, Tuesday: Fiestas Patrias and Peru’s Independence Day
- July 29, Wednesday: Fiestas Patrias
- August 6, Thursday: Battle of Junín (Batalla de Junín)
- August 30, Sunday: St Rose of Lima Day (Día de Santa Rosa de Lima)
- October 8, Thursday: Battle of Angamos (Combate de Angamos)
- November 1, Sunday: All Saints’ Day (Día de Todos los Santos)
- December 8, Tuesday: Immaculate Conception (Día de la Inmaculada Concepción)
- December 9, Wednesday: Battle of Ayacucho (Batalla de Ayacucho)
- December 25, Friday: Christmas Day (Navidad)
For the latest official information, travelers can also check the Peruvian government’s national holiday calendar.
The Peruvian flag takes center stage during several patriotic holidays throughout the year.
Peru’s Biggest Holiday Period: Fiestas Patrias
July 28 and 29 are among the most important dates on the Peruvian calendar.
July 28 commemorates Peru’s declaration of independence from Spain in 1821. Celebrations take place throughout the country, with flags appearing on homes and businesses, military and civic events, concerts and plenty of family gatherings.
July 29 continues the Fiestas Patrias holiday period and traditionally includes celebrations connected to Peru’s armed forces and national institutions.
For travelers, this is one of the periods when accommodation and transport can become especially busy. Popular destinations such as Cusco, Arequipa, Paracas and the south of Peru can see a significant increase in domestic tourism.
Holy Week and Easter in Peru
Maundy Thursday and Good Friday are national holidays in Peru. In 2026 they fall on April 2 and April 3.
Semana Santa is particularly important in places such as Ayacucho and Cusco, where religious processions and celebrations can attract large crowds.
Religious processions are an important part of the Easter period in Peru.
One of Cusco’s best-known religious events is the procession of El Señor de los Temblores, or Lord of the Earthquakes. Large crowds gather in the historic center, so visitors should expect road closures and heavier-than-normal demand for hotels and transport.
National Holidays vs. Other Days Off in Peru
Not every day off in Peru is a national holiday.
The government sometimes declares additional días no laborables, particularly for public-sector employees or around major holiday weekends. Regional governments may also declare non-working days for important local anniversaries and festivals.
For example, Monday July 27 was declared a nationwide non-working day for public-sector workers in 2026, immediately before Fiestas Patrias.
These extra days can still affect opening hours and travel demand even though they are different from Peru’s permanent national holidays.
Major Festivals and Events Travelers Should Know About
The old Peru events calendar included hundreds of concerts, sporting events and one-off activities. Those quickly became outdated, which is why the old 2020 calendar is being retired.
But several annual festivals are worth keeping here because they return each year and can have a real impact on travel.
Virgen de la Candelaria
Held in Puno around February, the Virgen de la Candelaria festival is one of Peru’s largest celebrations of traditional music and dance.
Traditional festivals in Peru can bring hundreds of dancers and musicians into the streets.
Puno becomes extremely busy during the main festival period. Travelers planning to visit Lake Titicaca at this time should reserve accommodation and transport well ahead.
Inti Raymi in Cusco
Inti Raymi takes place on June 24 and is one of the biggest annual events in Cusco. The modern celebration recreates the Inca Festival of the Sun, with ceremonies taking place in and around the historic city.
The main events culminate at Sacsayhuamán.
Inti Raymi is one of the most important annual festivals in Cusco.
June is already one of Cusco’s busiest months, and Inti Raymi increases demand further. Book hotels, tours and intercity travel early if your visit falls around June 24.
Arequipa Anniversary
Arequipa celebrates the anniversary of its Spanish foundation on August 15, with events taking place throughout the city in the surrounding days.
Arequipa is especially lively around its anniversary celebrations in August.
The celebrations normally include parades, cultural activities, music and the city’s famous Corso de la Amistad.
Señor de los Milagros
October in Lima is closely associated with the Señor de los Milagros, one of Peru’s most important religious traditions.
Señor de los Milagros processions draw large crowds in Lima during October.
Major processions pass through central Lima and can result in road closures, large crowds and slower journeys through affected parts of the city.
Christmas in Peru
Christmas Day on December 25 is a national holiday, but for many Peruvian families the main celebration takes place late on December 24, known as Nochebuena.
Families gather for dinner, gifts are often opened around midnight and fireworks traditionally mark the arrival of Christmas Day.
Christmas celebrations and decorations in Peru.
December 24 itself is not one of Peru’s permanent national public holidays, so travelers should not assume everything will be closed all day. Businesses may still choose to reduce their hours.
Concerts, Football Matches and Other Large Events
Not every event that affects your trip is a holiday. Major football matches, concerts and international events can also create heavy traffic and increased accommodation demand, particularly in Lima.
Lima’s major sporting events and concerts can also affect traffic and travel plans.
Unlike national holidays, these events change from year to year. Check current event schedules shortly before traveling rather than relying on an old annual calendar.
How Peru’s Holidays Can Affect Your Trip
National holidays are often a great time to experience Peru, but they can also make travel more complicated.
- Hotels can fill up: Domestic tourism increases around long weekends, Easter and Fiestas Patrias.
- Transport gets busier: Flights and long-distance services may sell out earlier than usual.
- Public offices and banks may close: Do not leave important paperwork or money matters until a holiday.
- Attractions may change their hours: Museums, archaeological sites and private attractions can operate special schedules.
- Traffic can increase: Parades and processions sometimes close streets in city centers.
If you’re traveling around Peru during a busy holiday period, organizing transport in advance can save a lot of hassle. Services with hotel pickup, such as Peru Hop, can also avoid the extra taxi trips and terminal logistics involved with public buses.
Frequently Asked Questions About Holidays in Peru
How many national holidays does Peru have in 2026?
Peru has 16 national public holiday dates in 2026, including the two-day Fiestas Patrias celebration on July 28 and 29.
What is Peru’s most important national holiday?
Fiestas Patrias on July 28 and 29 is Peru’s main patriotic holiday period. July 28 commemorates independence and celebrations continue nationwide through July 29.
Are shops closed during national holidays in Peru?
It depends on the business. Government offices, banks and some services may close, while restaurants, supermarkets and tourist businesses may stay open or use reduced hours.
Is November 2 a national holiday in Peru?
No. All Saints’ Day on November 1 is a national holiday, but November 2, All Souls’ Day, is not one of Peru’s permanent national public holidays.
Is Christmas Eve a public holiday in Peru?
December 24 is an important celebration day, but it is not one of Peru’s permanent national public holidays. Christmas Day on December 25 is the national holiday.
Should I avoid traveling during Peru’s national holidays?
Not necessarily. Holidays and festivals can be some of the most interesting times to visit Peru. Just expect larger crowds and book important accommodation and transport earlier than usual.
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If you have any questions or need any information about the holidays and events above, feel free to leave a comment below.
