Calendar of Festivities

January 19-20
Ritual Festival of Pachatata and Pachamama
Place: Amantani

Ritual activities and native dances.

February 1- 18
Virgin of the Candelaria
Place: Puno

Each year, we celebrate the greatest patron-saint festival in all of Peru, in honor of the Virgin of Candelaria, the patron saint of Puno. The festival takes place every day during the first two weeks of February. More than 40,000 dancers and 9,000 musicians from throughout the Department participate in the festival, enlivening and adorning the streets of Puno. This unparalleled performance is considered one of the three largest events held in South America, along with the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil and the Carnival of Oruro in Bolivia. Declared a Heritage Cultural Festival of the Nation, the Candelaria is an expression of the traditional culture of communities located in the southern mountains of Peru, and contributes to our regional and national identity.

April 9
Anniversary of the District of Amantani

The celebration involves civic activities, fairs, native dance competitions with bullfighter-inspired costumes, ritual tributes to the land, the exhibition and sales of handicrafts, and more.

May 3
The Alasitas and May Cross Festival

In this festival, people buy miniature models representing the things they want in the coming year (home, car, job, diplomas, etc.) and have them blessed by a priest.

June 24
Farmers' Day and the San Juan Festival

This festival includes religious and folkloric activities, among others. It is also celebrated in the provinces of Lampa and San Roman and in the districts of Lampa, Cabana and Cabanillas. It is principally celebrated in the provinces of Puno, Yunguyo, Lampa and San Roman.

August 10
San Ramon Festival
Place: Amantani

This festival includes religious activities.

August 15
Festival of the Virgin of Cancharani

This festival includes pilgrimage to the shrine, religious manifestations, a native dance competition, and other activities.

November 2-8
Puno Tourism Week

During this week, you can see dance performances throughout the main streets of the city and a reenactment of Cápac and Mama Ocllo coming out of Lake Titicaca and the arrival of Kcapus.