Planning to visit Cusco in June? Get ready for one of the most special times of the year. Known as the Jubilee Month, June brings the city to life with traditional dances, colorful parades, ancestral rituals, and seasonal flavors found only during this time.
From the iconic Inti Raymi to Corpus Christi and many other celebrations, this is when Cusco shares its rich cultural spirit. Discover the key events that make June a unique chance to connect with the city’s deepest traditions.
Cusco Traditional Dance Competition
- Date: June 9–17, 2025
- Location: Plaza de Armas, Cusco
Every June, during Cusco’s Jubilee Month, the main square bursts to life with dance, music, and tradition. One of the most anticipated events is the Traditional Dance Competition, where hundreds of performers take the stage in vibrant Andean costumes full of history and meaning.
Groups from kindergartens, schools, institutes, and universities compete throughout the week, each showcasing their unique dance style and proudly representing their institution.
This is more than just a show; it’s a vibrant expression of Cusco’s cultural identity and a celebration that locals hold close to their hearts.
Allegorical Parade by Diego Quispe Tito School
- Date: June 15, 2025
- Location: Plaza de Armas, Cusco
Among all the celebrations in June, one of the most anticipated parades by locals and visitors alike is the one organized by the Diego Quispe Tito School. Each year, students and teachers turn the Plaza de Armas into an open-air museum, showcasing massive allegorical creations that blend art, history, social commentary, and Andean tradition.
Elaborate costumes, moving sculptures, and creative performances bring to life historical figures, Andean landscapes, and current issues, each piece with its own unique visual identity. More than a parade, it’s a striking display of local talent that never fails to impress and move the audience.
Pilgrimage to the Lord of Qoyllur Rit’i
- Dates: June 15–18, 2025
- Location: Sinakara Sanctuary, Ocongate (Quispicanchi Province, Cusco)
Every year, thousands of people make a journey into the highlands of Ocongate to take part in one of the most powerful expressions of faith in the Andes. Their destination is the Sinakara Sanctuary, where the Lord of Qoyllur Rit’i, a deeply revered image symbolizing the fusion of Andean spirituality and Catholic tradition, is honored.
Over several days, organized groups known as “nations” arrive, accompanied by dancers, musicians, and ukukus, symbolic characters who serve as guardians along the route. The main celebration takes place on Trinity Sunday and includes Masses, traditional rituals, and a local fair where miniature items are sold to represent personal wishes.
This pilgrimage is more than a religious event, it’s a spiritual journey rooted in ancestry, a tradition that strengthens the bond between communities, their heritage, and the surrounding natural world.
Corpus Christi
- Date: June 19, 2025
- Location: Plaza de Armas, Cusco
Corpus Christi is one of the most essential and traditional religious celebrations in Cusco. Every year, fifteen sacred images of saints and virgins from different city parishes are carried in a grand procession to the Cathedral, accompanied by marching bands, dancers, and hundreds of devoted followers.
The Plaza de Armas becomes the heart of both devotion and festivity, where carguyoc (ceremonial sponsors) and their communities honor their patron saints with elaborate clothing, music, and customs preserved for generations. On this day, it’s also traditional to eat chiri uchu, a unique local dish served only during this celebration.
More than a procession, Corpus Christi is a powerful expression of faith and Andean culture in the very heart of Cusco.
Luces y Sonidos: Night of Lights and Sound in Cusco
- Date: June 20, 2025
- Location: Plaza de Armas, Cusco
The Night of Lights and Sound is one of the most anticipated events of Cusco’s Jubilee Month. It’s the city’s largest open-air concert, transforming the Plaza de Armas into a massive stage celebrating music, art, and local pride. An impressive platform is set up in front of the Cathedral, where local and national artists perform live for a crowd that fills the plaza.
The evening ends with a spectacular fireworks show that lights up the Cusco sky, visible from various points across the city.
Inti Raymi
- Date: June 24, 2025
- Location: Qorikancha, Plaza de Armas & Sacsayhuamán
Inti Raymi is the centerpiece of Cusco’s Jubilee Month and one of Peru’s most significant cultural events. Inspired by an ancient Inca ceremony honoring the Sun God (Inti), this celebration coincides with the winter solstice when the sun reaches its farthest point from Earth. It was the perfect time for the Incas to pay tribute and ask for the sun’s return.
The modern-day reenactment features more than 700 performers who bring this ancestral ritual to life. The Inca and the Coya emerge from the Qorikancha temple with their royal court, musicians, and priests. They make their way to the Plaza de Armas, where the Inca symbolically meets with the current representative of the people. The ceremony then moves to the esplanade of Sacsayhuamán for the central ritual: the symbolic sacrifice of a llama (no animals are harmed).
More than just a performance, Inti Raymi is a powerful celebration of cultural identity, bridging the past and present in an unforgettable way.
Cusco in June: A Unique Chance to Experience Its Living Culture
Jubilee Month isn’t just a calendar of events, it’s a time when the entire city comes alive with tradition, movement, and creativity. Every parade, dance, ceremony, and concert is the result of communities proudly preserving and sharing their heritage.
If you’re planning a trip to Cusco, June is one of the best months to visit. In addition to exploring the city’s archaeological sites, you’ll witness cultural celebrations that only happen during this time of year. Just make sure to plan ahead, as many travelers arrive to be part of these festivities.
Cusco welcomes you with a vibrant cultural calendar and a spirit that shines in every corner of the historic center.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main festivities in Cusco?
They include Inti Raymi, Corpus Christi, the pilgrimage of Señor de Qoyllur Rit’i, school parades, traditional dance competitions, and concerts.
What are Cusco’s festivities about?
They’re a mix of cultural, religious, and artistic celebrations held throughout June to honor the city’s rich history and traditions.
When do Cusco’s festivities take place?
They run throughout June, with events happening almost every day.
When is Inti Raymi celebrated?
On June 24th.
Where does Inti Raymi take place?
At Qorikancha, the Main Square (Plaza de Armas), and the Sacsayhuamán fortress.
Do I need tickets for Inti Raymi?
Only for the final part held at Sacsayhuamán. The events at Qorikancha and the Main Square are free to attend.
When is Corpus Christi in 2025?
On Thursday, June 19th.
Which saints are part of Corpus Christi?
15 saints and virgins from different churches in Cusco take part in the procession.
What food is traditional during this celebration?
The iconic chiri uchu, a dish only eaten during Corpus Christi.
What other activities happen in June?
School parades, artistic processions, fairs, and live concerts fill the city with energy.
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