Peru in 2016: A Calendar of Festivals, Concerts and Other Events

So what’s happening in Peru in 2016? Well, quite a lot, as always. Below you’ll find most of the major events taking place across the country this year, including everything from national holidays to regional religious festivals, ritual battles, and music concerts (listed in grey italics).

If you’re interested in a particular event, please double check the dates and other details in advance – I try my hardest to keep this calendar up-to-date and accurate, but that’s sometimes easier said than done (if you do spot an error, please let me know).

January	February	March	April	May	June
July	August	September	October	November	December

Peru in January

• New Year’s Day — Jan 1, National Holiday

• Niño Callaocarpino y el Niño Jacobo Illanes — Jan 1 (central day), Huancavelica: A festival and pilgrimage typically featuring traditional dances and bullfights.

• Festival de los Negritos — Dec and/or Jan, Huánuco: The “Festival of the Blacks” in which dancers with blackened faces dance through the streets of Huánuco.

• Adoración de Reyes Magos — Jan 6, nationwide: Also known as Epiphany, the 12th day after Christmas, which celebrates the visit of the three wise men to Jesus.

• Foundation of Iquitos — Jan 5: A good excuse for a party in the jungle.

• Joe Vasconcellos — Jan 14, Sargento Pimienta, Barranco, Lima.

• Foundation of Lima — Jan 18: Civic parades, parties and a good few fireworks.

• Chiaraje — Jan 20 (the date could easily change), Canas Province of the Cusco Region: A ritual battle for a good harvest, held in honor of Pachamama, or Mother Earth.

• Matisyahu — Jan 23, Dragón del Sur, Punta Hermosa, Lima.
  

• Electro Selvámonos — Jan 23, Domos Art (Costa Verde, Magdalena del Mar): One of Peru’s biggest electronic music festivals returns.

• Molly Nilsson — Jan 23, venue TBA: Swedish-born synth-pop artist.

• The Adicts – Jan 28, Discoteca Céntrica (Real Plaza), Lima: Old-school English punk.

• Hardwell — Jan 29, Explanada de la Costa Verde: Big room and electro house from the acclaimed Dutch DJ.

• Concurso Nacional de Marinera — Jan 25 to 31, Trujillo: Peru’s biggest marinera dance festival returns for its 56th edition, again held in Trujillo, with the grand final on January 31.

Peru in February

• Carnival — throughout February: Parades, parties, yunsa trees and water fights. Lots of water fights…

• Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria — first half of February, Puno Region: Colorful processions with hundreds of musicians and dancers. Expect a fair amount of drinking, too…

• Luchas de Toqto — Feb 2 (may vary), Canas and Chumbivilcas Provinces of Cusco: Another ritual battle similar to Chiaraje (see January), also in the Cusco region.

• Pisco Sour Day — Feb 7: A national day for drinking pisco sours in Peru, no excuses.

• Electro Acústicos (Mar de Copas, Amén and Los 13 Baladas): Feb 13, Discoteca Céntrica (Real Plaza), Lima: Three Peruvian rock bands go all acoustic.

• Valentine’s Day — Feb 14, Nationwide: Boring.

• Pxndx (Panda) – Feb 20, Parque de la Exposición, Lima: Mexican rock.

• Tankard – Feb 26, C.C. Festiva, Lima: Thrash metal from Germany.

• Festival del Verano Negro — last week of February, Chincha Province, Ica: An annual celebration of Chincha’s Afro-Peruvian folk culture.

Peru in March

• John Cale — March 1, Gran Teatro Nacional, Lima: Welsh singer-songwriter and founding member of the Velvet Underground.

• We Are One Tour 2016 (Lagwagon, Belvedere, Mute and Adrenalized) — March 5, Centro de Convenciones Festiva, Lima.

• Anniversary of the Foundation of Trujillo — March 5

• The Rolling Stones — March 6, Estadio Monumental, Lima: The legendary English rock band comes to Lima as part of its Latin America tour, with some of the most expensive tickets ever sold in Peru.

• Ica Wine Festival – March 4 to 13: Ica’s wine harvest is celebrated with the Festival Internacional de la Vendimia de Ica. Drink wine, eat local food and watch beauty queens stomping around in vats of grapes. Yep, it’s a perfect day out.

• VNV Nation — March 8, Cocos Club, Lima.

• Ximena Sariñana — March 9, Teatro Pirandello, Lima.

• Alejandra Guzmán – March 9, Jockey Club del Perú, Lima: Mexican singer-songwriter known as Latin America’s Queen of Rock (apparently).

• Tame Impala — March 15, Parque de la Exposición, Lima.

• Lila Downs – March 15, Gran Teatro Nacional, Lima: American–Mexican singer-songwriter and actress.

• Enforcer – March 18, Crypto Bar, Barranco, Lima: Swedish heavy metal.

• Fiesta de San José — March 18 to 20 (may vary), Las Delicias District of Trujillo: Spanish heritage festival with drinking, dancing, Peruvian Paso horses and its own “running of the bulls.”

• Surco Wine Harvest Festival — exact dates vary, Surco District of Lima: More wine, this time in Lima. Drink, eat, and watch more beauty queens trampling grapes.

• Semana Santa (Holy Week) — March 20 to March 26, Nationwide

• Jueves Santo (Maundy Thursday) – March 24, National Holiday

• Viernes Santo (Good Friday) – March 25, National Holiday

• Día de Pascua (Easter Day) – March 27: Religious parades, family feasting and not a lot of chocolate.

• El Señor de los Temblores — March 28, Cusco: The image of El Señor de los Temblores (The Lord of the Earthquakes) is paraded through the streets of Cusco, a major event that draws huge crowds.

Peru in April

• Festival Cultura Libre – April 2, Parque Andrés Avelino Cáceres, San Isidro, Lima

• Coldplay — April 5, Estadio Nacional, Lima: Along with The Rolling Stones, this is the biggest concert of the year so far.

• Lima Back in Dark Festival — April 8, Centro de Convenciones Festiva, Lima.

• Anniversary of the District of Amantani — April 9, Amantani District of Puno: The islands of Amantani and Taquile on Lake Titicaca celebrate the foundation of their district.

• Primera Parada al Festival Selvámonos – April 16, Paintball de Chorrillos, Lima

• Anniversary of Chiclayo — April 18: The anniversary celebrations last for a week, with food fairs, music, dancing and, of course, beauty queens.

• National Peruvian Paso Horse Contest — normally mid- to late-April, Mamacona, Lima: Yet to be confirmed, but the biggest Paso horse contest in Peru should return in 2015.

• Anniversary of the Constitutional Province of Callao — April 22, Callao

• Brothertiger – April 22, Embassy, Plaza San Martin, Lima

• Lima Fest 2016 – April 23, CC Barranco Arena, Lima

• Chunk! No, Captain Chunk! – April 24, MK Vip, Lince, Lima: Rock from France.

• Anniversary of Ayacucho — April 25: Francisco Pizarro founded the settlement of San Juan de la Frontera de Huamanga in 1540; Simón Bolívar later changed the name to Ayacucho in 1825. The anniversary of this historic city features numerous activities, including cultural and sporting events, food fairs, drinking and general revelry.

• El Señor de la Justicia — April 25, Ferreñafe, Lambayeque Region: A religious festival in honor of the image of El Señor de la Justicia.

• Anniversary of Jauja — April 25, Jauja, Junín Region: Jauja was the first Spanish capital city in Peru and also the location of the country’s first cathedral. Anniversary celebrations last for at least a few days.

• Alejandro Sanz – April 27, Estadio Nacional, Lima; April 30, Estadio U.N.S.A., Arequipa: Grammy Award-winning Spanish singer-songwriter and musician.

Peru in May

• Virgin de Chapi — May 1, Arequipa: Thousands of pilgrims walk to the Sanctuary of the Virgin de Chapi, home to one of the most important images of the Virgin Mary in Peru.

• Dia de los Trabajadores (Labor Day) — May 1, National Holiday

• Fiesta de las Cruces — May (exact dates may vary), typically in highland regions: Religious-types carry crosses between neighboring churches in various parts of Peru. Cusco has the Cruz Velacuy procession in early May; Huancavelica has a cross-related fiesta called the Fiesta del Espíritu Santo (sometime in May); Pasco, Ayacucho, Junín and Puno also celebrate the Fiesta de las Cruces.

• José González – May 3, Museo de Arte Contemporáneo, Barranco, Lima: Swedish indie folk singer-songwriter.

• Fiesta de Alasitas — May 3, Puno: A bustling market selling alasitas, miniature representations of things that you want in real life.

• Señor de Muruhuay — May 3 (may vary), Tarma, Junín Region: A pilgrimage to the Señor de Muruhuay, an image of Christ that appeared on a rock outside Tarma. Pilgrims leave a Carta a Dios, a letter giving thanks to God or asking for a miracle.

• Anniversary of Cotahuasi — May 4, Cotahuasi District of La Unión, Arequipa Region: Featuring the holy trinity of bullfights, beer and beauty queens.

• SOJA – May 6, Centro de Convenciones Barranco Arena, Lima: Grammy-nominated reggae band from the USA.

• The Vamps — May 10, Parque de la Exposición, Lima.

• Señor de Torrechayoc — sometime in May, Urubamba, Cusco Region: A festival paying homage to a miraculous cross located in Urubamba, with dancing, drinking and cockfighting.

• Homage to the Defenders of Alianza Field — May 26, Tacna: A day of remembrance for those that died at the Battle of Tacna (May 26, 1880) during the War of the Pacific.

• The Farm – May 27, Discoteca Cocos, Lince: The not quite so age-resistant Scousers are still playing, it would seem.

• Holi Festival of Colour – May 28, Explanada de la Costa Verde de Magdalena

• Deceased – May 28, C.C. Festiva, Central Lima: The US death metal band will be supported by a handful of local metalheads.

• Vivo X El Rock 7 – May 28, Estadio Nacional: One of Peru’s major music festivals, headlined this year by Limp Bizkit.

• Crystal Castles – May 29, C.C. Barranco: Experimental electronic band from Toronto.

Peru in June

• Soviet Soviet – June 1, Discoteca Cocos, Lince: Italian post punk.

• The Ocean Blue – June 2, Discoteca Cocos, Lince: American indie pop.

• Chachapoyas Tourist Week — early June (dates vary)

• Qoyllority — early June (possibly late May), Ocongate District, Cusco: A mountain pilgrimage to the sanctuary of Sinakara. Qoyllority (or Qoyllur Rit’i) takes place in the days before Corpus Christi.

• Corpus Christi — June 4, Nationwide: A moveable feast celebrated to various extents throughout Peru, but particularly important in Cusco.

• Draco Rosa – June 9, C.C. Barranco: Multi Grammy and Latin Grammy award-winning American-born Puerto Rican musician, singer, songwriter etc. etc.

• Comeback Kid – June 10, Sotano Bar, Plaza de Armas: Canadian hardcore punk (Canadians do hardcore??)

• Reggae Sessions Festival – June 11, Explanada de la Costa Verde de Magdalena Del Mar: Featuring Alpha Blondy, Tribal Seeds, Mística and a host of local reggae bands.

• Kaputt Fest – June 16, secret location (?): A selection of hip young Latin American bands and DJs.

• Los Cafres – June 17, C.C. Embarcadero 41 de Barranco, Lima: Argentine reggae.

• Anniversary of Ica — June 17: Food, drink, parades, a mini-marathon and beauty pageants.

• Sondor Raymi — June 18 and 19, Andahuaylas, Apurímac Region: Re-enactment of the Chanka origin myth, La Epopeya Chanka (The Chanka Epic). The main event takes place at Pakucha Lake and at the Chanka archaeological site of Sondor.

• Festival Folklórico de Raqchi — third Sunday of June, Canchis Province, Cusco Region: A folkloric festival at the Inca archaeological site of Raqchi (Raqch’i, or the Temple of Wiracocha).

• Moyobamba Tourist Week — second half of June (may vary), Moyobamba, San Martin Region

• Eros Ramazzotti – June 21, Explanada Sur Del Estadio Monumental: Never heard of him? No, nor have I. But apparently he’s big enough to have sung duets with Cher and Tina Turner, among others.

• Fifth Harmony – June 22, Anfiteatro del Parque de la Exposición: I think they won The X Factor or something.

• Noche de San Juan — June 23 and 24, Calana, Pachi and Pocollay Districts, Tacna: The Night of Saint John Includes a nighttime procession through the Valle Viejo (Old Valley).

• Chaccu de Vicuñas — June 24 (or thereabouts), Pampa Galeras National Reserve, Ayacucho: A communal vicuña roundup in the Pampa Galeras National Reserve. Locals and tourists help to form a human chain known as chaccu, a herding technique that predates the Incas.

• Inti Raymi — June 24, Cusco: The “Festival of the Sun” is one of the most important dates on Cusco’s calendar. The reenactment of the Inca winter solstice ceremony takes place at the Sacsayhuamán archaeological site.

• San Juan Festival — June 24, jungle regions of Peru: A major festival throughout the Peruvian jungle.

• National Ceviche Day — June 28, Nationwide

• Suicidal Tendencies – June 28, venue TBA: More thrash metal from the USA. Seems like limeños love this stuff.

• Día de San Pedro y San Pablo — June 29, Nationwide: The festival of Saint Peter and Saint Paul is celebrated to varying extents across Peru, but is best known for its maritime processions.

Peru in July

• Napalm Death – July 1, The Blood, Santa Beatriz: The legendary British extreme metal band comes to Lima.

• Retro 2016: A Flock Of Seagulls, Information Society and More – July 1, Domos Art, Costa Verde de Magdalena: For all you retro heads out there.

• Festival Selvámonos – July 1 and 2, Oxapampa: One of Peru’s biggest and best festivals returns.

• Deafheaven – July 6, Discoteca MK (Av. Arenales 1746, Lince): American metal band.

• Cultura Profética – July 9, Jockey Club del Perú: Puerto Rican reggae.

• Tarapoto Tourist Week — July 8 to 19 (dates may vary), Tarapoto, San Martín Region

• Anniversary of Puerto Maldonado — July 10: Founded by Don Juan Villalta on July 10, 1902.

• Kevin Johansen – July 14, Gran Teatro Nacional: Argentine-American rock pop from a guy who looks really cheesy.

• Lima Indie Festival – July 16, Embassy (Plaza San Martin): Returning for its sixth edition.

• Virgen del Carmen Festival — July 15 and 16, various regions: Colorful street parades, some featuring re-enactments of key moments from Peruvian history, with dancers and bands. Celebrations are big in Lima, Callao (Virgen del Carmen de la Legua festival), Celendín and Paucartambo (Mamacha Carmen festival, near Cusco).

• Pollo a la Brasa Day — July 19

• MACROSS 82-99 – July 22, venue TBA: I Googled this and still can’t figure out what it’s all about. I think he’s from the future or something.

• Anniversary of the Province of Huaraz — July 25

• Festival de Apóstol Santiago — July 24 and 25, mainly in the highlands

• Pisco Day — July 26

• Sasha Grey – July 27, Discoteca Céntrica del Real Plaza Centro Cívico: I thought I recognized the name… turns out she’s an American actress, model, author, musician and ex-porn star. I assume she’ll just be singing in Lima.

• Foals — July 27, C.C. Barranco Arena, Lima.

• Anniversary of the Arrival of Austro-German Settlers in Oxapampa — July 24 to 31, Oxapampa Province, Pasco Region: Settled by Austro-German immigrants in the 1850s; the anniversary celebrations highlight the region’s distinct culture and cuisine.

• Fiestas de Quillabamba — July 25 to 29, La Convención, Cusco Region: Celebrating the anniversary of La Convención (capital Quillabamba), the largest province in the Cusco region.

• Fiesta del Sol — July 27, La Unión, Huánuco Region: A re-enactment of an important Inca festival (similar to Inti Raymi in Cusco) at the Huánuco Pampa archaeological site.

• Peruvian Independence Day — July 28, National Holiday

• Fiesta del Señor de las Ánimas and Yawar Fiesta– July 28 to August 3, Apurimac Region: The Yawar Fiesta in Cotabambas is a symbolic ritual in which a condor is tied to the back of a bull (read this Colca Canyon trip report for more info).

• Día del Rock Peruano 2016 – July 30,  Lawn Tennis (Av. Salaverry, in front of the Campo de Marte): A new rock festival created by the people behind Vivo X El Rock, this one is 100% Peruvian rock. 

Peru in August

• Día de la Pachamama — August 1, Andean regions: Pago a la tierra (payment to the earth) ceremonies in honor of Pachamama (Mother Earth).

• Santísima Cruz de Chalpón — first week of August, Motupe, Lambayeque Region: Religious festival in which the miraculous Cruz de Chalpón (Cross of Chalpón) is carried down from its hilltop to the town of Motupe. Events surrounding the pilgrimage include music festivals, food fairs and Peruvian Paso horse shows.

• Nuestra Señora de las Nieves — August 5, central and southern Andes: A religious festival celebrated in Spain, Portugal, Italy and parts of Latin America. In Peru, the festivities are most notable in cities like Cusco, Ayacucho and Junín.

• El Guincho – Aug 13, venue TBA: Never heard of him? Nor have I. But he’s Spanish and describes his music as “space-age exotica.” So there you go.

• Anniversary of Arequipa — August 15: Founded in 1540 by the Spaniard Garcí Manuel de Carbajal. Festivities begin a week or so before the anniversary, with the famous Corso de la Amistad (Friendship Parade) on August 15.

• Virgen de la Asunción — August 15: Celebrated to varying extents in Peru; a major event in Chachapoyas (Amazonas), Cangallo (Ayacucho) and Chacas (Ancash).

• Anniversary of Huánuco — August 15

• The Wonder Years – Aug 16, Yield Bar, Central Lima: American pop punk from Pennsylvania.

• Jesse & Joy – Aug 19, Jockey Club del Perú:  Grammy Award-nominated brother-sister pop duo from Mexico.

• Anniversary of Callao — August 20, Callao, Lima Metropolitan Area

• Yngwie Malmsteen – Aug 23, C.C. Barrranco: Damn, there’s a name I haven’t heard for a while. Rock on.

• Yaku Raymi — August 20 to 26, Carmen Salcedo District of Andamarca, Ayacucho Region: A weeklong festival giving thanks to Pachamama, featuring scissors dances, food fairs, historic re-enactments and the annual clearing of the water canals.

• Diazepunk – Aug 27, venue TBA: Classic punk rock from Peru.

• Reincorporation of Tacna into Peru — August 28, Tacna: Peru lost Tacna to Chile during the War of the Pacific (1879–1883), but regained the territory following the 1929 Treaty of Lima.

• Oxapampa Tourist Week — August 25 to 31, Oxapampa, Pasco

• OBK – Aug 29, Discoteca Mangos (Av. Arequipa 1530, Lince): Spanish synthpop.

• Saint Rose of Lima Day — August 30, National Holiday: No work today thanks to Saint Rose of Lima, the loopy first Catholic Saint of the Americas.

• Laura Pausini – Aug 31, Explanada Sur del Estadio Monumental: Italian pop singer-songwriter.

Peru in September

• Maia Urban Fest (Daddy Yankee, Nicky Jam and Maluma) – Sept 3, Costa Verde de Magdalena.

• Festival Reyna del Cañaveral — dates vary, Apurimac: Head down to the banks of the Rio Pampas for the “Festival of the Sugar Cane Queen.”

• Fiesta Patronal Virgen de la Natividad — Sept 8, San Martín Region: A popular religious festival in the small town of Lamas near Tarapoto.

• Virgen de Cocharcas — Sept 8, Andahuaylas, Apurímac: A pilgrimage ending at the sanctuary of the Virgen de Cocharcas.

• Vandal Fest — Sept 10, Concha Acústica del Campo De Marte, Jesús María: A one-day hip hop festival featuring bands from across South America (and one from Spain).

• Lima Metal Fest — Sept 10, Av. Defensores Del Morro 2290, Chorrillos: Loads of metal bands from the USA, Germany, Italy, Brazil, Chile and Peru.

• Dengue Dengue Dengue — Sept 10, Palacio del Inca, Central Lima: Tropical bass/electronic cumbia from an increasingly acclaimed Peruvian duo.

• Luis Fonsi – Sept 10, Explanada del Estadio Monumental: This guy won a Latin Grammy Award for singing Latin pop. I’ll let you decide the merits of that.

• H2O — Sept 13, C.C. Barranco: Hardcore punk from New York City.

• Festividad del Señor de Locumba — Sept 14, Tacna: A pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of the Señor de Locumba, about 50 miles northeast of Tacna.

• Señor Cautivo de Monsefú — Sept 14 (main day), Monsefú, Lambayeque Region: Flower-strewn street parades in the small town of Monsefú near Chiclayo.

• Señor de Huanca — Sept 14, Cusco: The pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of the Señor de Huanca is one of the largest in Peru, attracting people from across the continent.

• Nicky Romero — Sept 16, Explanada del Estadio Monumental: Chart-topping electro house from the Dutch DJ.

• Soilwork — Sept 17, The Blood, Santa Beatriz, Lima: Swedish melodic death metal.

• Esperanza Spalding — Sept 18, Museo de Arte Contemporáneo, Barranco: American jazz bassist, cellist, singer and songwriter.

• The Sisters of Mercy – Sept 22, venue TBA: English rock from before I was even born.

• Festival Internacional de la Primavera — end of Sept, Trujillo, La Libertad Region: Trujillo’s International Spring Festival is a multiday event with dancing, street parades, live music, gastronomic fairs, beauty pageants, bullfights, surfing and more.

Peru in October

• Promised Land of Pozuzo Festival — Oct 4 to 8 (dates may vary), Pozuzo, Oxapampa Province, Pasco Region: A celebration of the culture and heritage of the town of Pozuzo, founded in 1859 by colonists from Tyrol (Austria) and Prussia (Germany).

• Road to Ultra – Oct 7, Explana del Circuito de Playas de la Costa Verde, Magdalena del Mar: Peruvian edition of the Ultra Worldwide festival.

• Ciudad Rock – Oct 8, Estadio Monumental: This is only the second edition of the Ciudad Rock festival, but they’ve managed to confirm Iggy Pop, which is quite impressive.

• Battle of Angamos — Oct 8, National Holiday: Anniversary of the naval confrontation between Chile and Peru during the War of the Pacific. One of Peru’s greatest heroes, Admiral Miguel Grau, died during the engagement in 1879.

• Battles – Oct 11, C.C. Barranco: American experimental rock. CANCELED
  

• Alan Parsons — Oct 12, Gran Teatro Nacional: The solo side of Alan from the Alan Parsons Project.

• Julia Holter — Oct 12, Bazar, Miraflores: “Art pop” from the American singer and songwriter.

• Unknown Mortal Orchestra — Oct 12, C.C. Barranco.

• Señor Cautivo de Ayabaca — Oct 13, Ayabaca, Piura Region: A pilgrimage to see the image of the Señor Cautivo de Ayabaca in the town of Ayabaca (about 130 miles from Piura).

• Christian Meier — Oct 14, Anfiteatro del Parque de la Exposición: The Peruvian actor, singer and Latina housewife’s pin-up comes home to Lima. 

• Resistance (with Carl Cox) — Oct 14, Explanada de la Costa Verde de Magdalena del Mar: Carl Cox headlines a line-up of DJs including Matador and Nicole Moudaber.

• Todo X El Rock — Oct 15, Estadio Monumental de la UNSA, Arequipa: Bret Michaels and the Spin Doctors have been confirmed for the Arequipa edition of Todo X El Rock. Sorry, Arequipa.

• Anniversary of Tingo Maria — Oct 15

• El Señor de los Milagros — second half of October, Lima: The largest religious congregation in South America, with processions through the streets of Lima in honor of a miraculous image of Christ known as El Señor de los Milagros (Lord of Miracles).

• Señor de Luren — third Monday in October, Ica: An annual procession of the wooden image of the Señor de Luren (patron saint of Ica), carried through the streets of the city.

• Slipknot — Oct 18, Estadio Nacional: American heavy metal heavyweights.

• Mayhem – Oct 20, venue TBA: Controversial Norwegian black metal. These guys sound like real dicks (and they once fractured a fan’s skull after throwing a severed sheep’s head from the stage).

• Breakbot — Oct 20, Toro (Jr. Salaverry 143, Barranco): French DJ

• Fiesta Patronal de Santa Úrsula — Oct 21 to 24 (dates may vary), Viraco, Castilla Province of Arequipa Region

• Aerosmith — Oct 24, Estadio Nacional: One of the biggest gigs of the year (Bush was supposed to be the support act, but they pulled out).

• Xandria — Oct 25, Oliver Club, Miraflores: German symphonic metal.

• Guns N’ Roses — Oct 27, Estadio Monumental: No introduction needed.

• Technotronic — Oct 30, Discoteca Cocos (Av. Arequipa 1530, Lince): Belgian electronic music from the late-80s. Remember “Pump Up the Jam”? Yep, that one. 

• Día de la Canción Criolla — Oct 31: A national day in honor of música criolla. Expect performances in restaurants and music venues across the country.

• Halloween — Oct 31: Halloween isn’t a major event in Peru, but each year there are more and more pumpkins, themed parties and costumed kids to be seen on October 31, especially in the big cities.

Peru in November

• Día de Todos los Santos (All Saints’ Day) — Nov 1, National Holiday

• Día de los Difuntos (All Souls’ Day/Day of the Dead) — Nov 2, nationwide: Families visit the graves of relatives, taking meals, flowers or other gifts to the graveside. The vigil sometimes begins on the night of Día de Todos los Santos and continues until dawn the following day.

• Travis – Nov 3, Parque de la Exposición: “Why Does It Always Rain on Meeee?” God, I hated that song.

• Pond — Nov 3, C.C. Barranco: Psychedelic rock from Perth, Australia.

• Creamfields Perú — Nov 4, Fundo Mamacona: The international Creamfields electronic music festival returns once again to Lima.

• Anniversary of Puno — Nov 4: The anniversary of the “Folkloric Capital of Peru,” with a week of events including traditional dances, music, fireworks and a re-enactment of the Inca origin myth (normally on Nov 5).

• Courtney Barnett — Nov 10, C.C. Barranco: The quirky singer-songwriter and guitarist from Melbourne, Australia, comes to Lima for the first time.

• Ica Tourist Week — Nov 12 to 20 (dates may vary): Expect marinera dance contests, Peruvian Paso horse shows, live music, beauty queens and more.

• Kurt Vile — Nov 15, C.C. Barranco: Vile comes to Lima with his band The Violators.

• Festival L.I.M.A. — Nov 19, C.C. Festiva: Featuring Javiera Mena, Kanaku y El Tigre and various other bands from across Latin America.

• Moquegua Tourist Week — Nov 20 to 25 (variable).

• Pasco Tourist Week — Nov 20 to 29 (variable): The Semana Jubilar y Turistica de Pasco includes plenty of dancing and drinking, as well as the annual marathon, which is said to be the highest marathon in the world (but it’s not one of the confirmed world records from Peru).

• Juntos en Concierto — Nov 25, Jockey Club: With Daddy Yankee, Gilberto Santa Rosa and Víctor Manuelle.

• Feria de San Clemente — sometime in November, San Clemente, Piura: The annual fair has a little bit of everything, mixing religious parades with food fairs, marinera dances and motocross competitions.

Peru in December

• Gian Marco – Dec 2 and 3, Parque de la Exposición: Peruvian singer-songwriter and multiple Latin Grammy Award-winner.

• Chris Cornell — Dec 2, Huaca Pucllana: Former Soundgarden and Audioslave frontman Chris Cornell comes to Lima as part of his Higher Truth tour, with a set at the Huaca Pucllana archaeological site. Sounds good.

• Armin Van Buuren — Dec 7, Explanada de la Costa Verde: The Dutch DJ returns to Lima.

• Immaculate Conception — Dec 8, National Holiday: The Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary is a national holiday in Peru.

• Tribute to American Liberty — Dec 9, Ayacucho: At the Battle of Ayacucho on December 9, 1824, allied patriot forces gained a vital victory in their struggle for independence from Spain. Annual festivities take place across the Ayacucho region to mark the historic event.

• New Order — Dec 10, Parque de la Exposición: English rock/synth pop band from the Eighties.

• Virgen de la Puerta — Dec 12 to 15, Otuzco, La Libertad Region: A procession of the miraculous statue of the Virgen de la Puerta (Virgin of the Gate) through the streets of Otuzco, a town a couple of hours east of Trujillo.

• Vivo X El Rock 8 — Dec 17, Estadio de San Marcos: The eighth edition of arguably Peru’s biggest festival. Acts include The Cranberries, Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, Papa Roach, Sum 41, and Garbage.

• Santuranticuy — Dec 24, Cusco: An annual market held on Cusco’s main square, selling nativity scenes and other festive or religious items crafted by artisans from across Peru.

• Christmas Eve — Dec 24: Christmas in Peru is all about December 24 and the Noche Buena (the “Good Night”). Families stay up until midnight to celebrate, eating a late-night Christmas feast and opening their gifts.

• Christmas Day — Dec 25, National holiday: December 25 normally gets off to a sleepy start as people struggle to recover from hangovers, and remains reasonably quiet throughout much of the day.

• Danza de Tijeras Festival — Dec 24 to 27 (dates may vary), Huancavelica: A gathering of Peru’s most talented scissor dancers for the annual Danza de Tijeras Festival in Huancavelica.