Cusco has a mystical feel all year round, but in the last week of December the energy multiplies. The mix of Andean faith and colonial customs makes Christmas and New Year’s Eve in the city a celebration unlike any other.
If you dream of ringing in the new year in the Plaza de Armas or at the foot of Machu Picchu, this guide explains the rituals, the party and the logistics.
Christmas in Cusco: market, color and tradition
- Santurantikuy (December 24). This is the largest and oldest Christmas crafts market in Peru. The name literally means “sale of saints.” It takes place in the Plaza de Armas and is the perfect place to buy figurines, nativity scenes and one-of-a-kind crafts. It’s well worth a visit.
- Andean Christmas dinner. It’s still a family affair, but with a local touch: the main dish is usually roast turkey or suckling pig, with tamales and hot chocolate to warm up the cold night.
- Weather in December. It’s the start of the rainy season. The landscape turns green, but bring a good rain jacket and non-slip shoes.
New Year’s Eve in the Plaza de Armas: the golden ritual
New Year’s Eve is the biggest party in the city, and everything revolves around the Plaza de Armas.
- Yellow underwear. In Cusco, the best-known tradition is to wear yellow underwear. The color is linked to good luck, the energy of the sun (Inti) and abundance in the year ahead.
- Laps around the fountain. At midnight, thousands of people run in circles around the central fountain in the Plaza de Armas. The laps are said to bring travel and luck in the new year.
- Dinner and party. Restaurants offer special gala dinners, with pisco sours and a toast. After midnight, the party takes over the square with fireworks and live music.
Time zone: Cusco runs on Peru time (GMT-5) all year. Check the time difference with home so you can send New Year’s wishes to your family before heading out to the square.
Machu Picchu on New Year’s Day: the logistics challenge
Visiting Machu Picchu on January 1 is a dream, but it takes real planning.
- Very high demand. Even though it’s the rainy season, December 31 and January 1 are in high demand. Machu Picchu tickets and train tickets sell out weeks or months in advance.
- Key tip. If your trip includes December 31, secure your Machu Picchu ticket and train before November. Leaving it to the last minute almost guarantees you’ll miss out.
Sun, luck and celebration
The combination of Inca tradition and festive energy makes New Year’s in Cusco a great way to start the year.
Spending the holidays in Cusco?
We’re a local agency in Cusco, registered with MINCETUR since 2003, with English-speaking guides. We put together year-end packages in Cusco and Machu Picchu and secure your ticket and train well in advance.