National Holidays in Peru

National holidays in Peru include familiar events like Christmas and New Year’s Day, as well as strictly Peruvian holidays such as the anniversary of the Battle of Angamos and Peru’s Independence Day. Whatever the occasion, most of these holidays provide a good excuse for a party and a beer or three.

Apart from advanced party planning, knowing when a national holiday is going to occur is handy for more mundane and practical reasons. During national holidays in Peru, many shops and services shut early or don’t open at all. Transport can also take a hit, with buses and flights fully booked days or weeks ahead of time. The same applies to hostels and hotels. In other words, national holidays are good for revelry, but they can also play havoc with your travel plans.

For a full list of this year’s events, see Peru Festivals and Events in 2016.

All the National Holidays in Peru

• January 1 – New Year’s Day (Año Nuevo)

• March or April – Maundy Thursday (Jueves Santo)

• March or April – Good Friday (Viernes Santo)

• May 1 – Labour Day (Dia de los Trabajadores)

• June 29 – St Peter’s and St Paul’s Day (Día de San Pedro y San Pablo)

• July 28-29 – Independence Day (Día de la Independencia). Peru’s Independence Day is officially the 28th of July. The 29th is in honour of Peru’s armed forces and police (and for hangovers).

• August 30 – St Rose of Lima Day (Día de Santa Rosa de Lima). Feast Day in honour of St Rose of Lima, the first Catholic Saint of the Americas.

• October 8 – Battle of Angamos (Batalla de Angamos). A significant Peruvian defeat in the War of the Pacific against Chile, involving the capture of the ship Huascar and the death of Admiral Miguel Grau.

• November 1 – All Saints’ Day (Día de Todos los Santos)

• November 2 – All Souls’ Day (Dia de los Muertos)

• December 8 – Immaculate Conception (Dia de la Purísima Concepción)

• December 24 – Christmas Eve. Half-day holiday. Kids often stay up late to open their gifts at midnight.

• December 25 – Christmas Day (Navidad)

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ENTERTAINMENT TIP: If looking for fun at night, or to watch sports during the day, or even a taste of home, visit the Wild Rover Hostels Chain for great food, sports and beer! Entrance to their bars is free even for non-guests

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If you have any questions or need any information about the events above then feel free to leave a comment below.