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
- University performances: June 5, 9, 10, 16, and 20, 2026
- Elementary school dance performances: June 8, 2026
- High school and CETPRO dance performances: June 15, 2026
- Elementary school dance parade: June 17, 2026
- High school dances: June 18, 2026
- Location: Plaza de Armas, Cusco
- Free event
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 20, 2026
- Location: Plaza de Armas, Cusco
- Free event
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: May 29 – June 4, 2026
- Location: Sinakara Sanctuary, Ocongate (Quispicanchi Province, Cusco)
- Free event
Every year, thousands of people set out on a trek to the heights of Ocongate to participate in one of the most intense expressions of faith in the Andes. Their destination is the Sinakara sanctuary, where the Lord of Qoyllur Rit’i is venerated—a deeply revered image that represents the union of Andean spirituality with Catholic tradition.
For several days, groups organized into “nations” arrive accompanied by dancers, musicians, and the ukukus—symbolic figures who serve as guardians during the journey. The main celebration takes place on Holy Trinity Sunday, featuring Masses, traditional rituals, and a fair where people buy miniatures symbolizing personal wishes.
This pilgrimage is more than a religious festival: it is an encounter with the ancestral, a way to keep alive a tradition that connects communities with their roots and with the natural environment.
Corpus Christi
- Date: June 3, 4, and 11, 2026
- Location: Plaza de Armas, Cusco
- Free event
Corpus Christi is one of Cusco’s most iconic and traditional religious celebrations. In 2026, the festival begins on June 3 with the procession of saints and virgins into the Cathedral. The main day of celebration is June 4, featuring a grand procession around the Plaza de Armas, while the Octave takes place on June 11, when the statues return to their churches.
The Plaza de Armas becomes a meeting point between the religious and the festive, where the carguyoc (stewards) and their communities pay homage with elaborate costumes, music, and customs that have been kept alive for centuries. Additionally, during this time, it is a long-standing tradition to enjoy chiri uchu, one of the most iconic dishes of this Cusco festival.
More than just a procession, Corpus Christi is a unique experience that reflects the strength of Andean faith and culture in the very heart of Cusco.
Luces y Sonidos: Night of Lights and Sound in Cusco
- Date: June 19, 2026
- Location: Plaza de Armas, Cusco
- Free event
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, 2026
- Location: Qorikancha, Plaza de Armas & Sacsayhuamán
- Free to watch at Plaza de Armas; tickets are required for the official staged areas at Qorikancha and Sacsayhuamán.
It is the most iconic celebration of the Jubilee Month and one of the country’s most important cultural events. Inspired by the ancient Inca ceremony dedicated to the sun god, Inti, this festival coincides with the winter solstice in the Southern Hemisphere, the time of year when the day is shortest and the night is longest. For the Incas, it was a sacred date to pay homage to the Sun and ask for its return with strength, light, and energy for a new agricultural cycle.
The modern reenactment brings together more than 700 actors who bring an ancestral ceremony to life. The Inca and the Coya emerge from the Qorikancha temple alongside their royal court, musicians, and priests, heading toward the Plaza de Armas, where the Inca symbolically meets with the current representative of the people. The procession then moves to the Sacsayhuamán esplanade to perform the central ritual: the symbolic sacrifice of a llama (no real animal is 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 2026?
Corpus Christi in Cusco takes place on June 3, 4, and 11, 2026. The saints enter the Cathedral on June 3, the main procession is held on June 4, and the Octave takes place on June 11.
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.
Come to Cusco in June and experience one of the most colorful and exciting times of the year. If you want to know all the dates and activities, check out EMUFEC’s complete official calendar.
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