19 things to do for Christmas in Cusco-Perú
If you are looking for something different for Christmas holidays this year, a Christmas holiday in Peru could be perfect for you! Christmas in Peru, as in other South American countries, is a unique experience. It is probably very different from what you are used to, with many new things to see and do!
Christmas in Cusco:
In the days before Christmas the beautiful city of Cusco will become the vibrant center of celebrations for both tourists and the Andean people, who maintain many traditions and customs of the Quechua people. Cusco is an ideal place for travelers with an impressive infrastructure of hotels, cafes, restaurants and others. Immerse yourself in the Christmas spirit of Cusco and enjoy a magical Christmas in Peru with our 19 things to do for Christmas in Cusco .
19 things to do for Christmas in Cusco
- Participate in a Peruvian cooking workshop. By learning the famous Peruvian cuisine in a cooking workshop. You will visit the local market and learn how to prepare the typical Peruvian Christmas sweets and snacks. Preview your party with Christmas dinner and maybe you can even impress your friends with your new cooking skills!
- Get a picture with a flame at Christmas! This is a very touristy thing to do, you might have to pay for this, but this photo may be one of your favorite memories! With an alinda llama, a beautiful local girl in bright typical dresses and amazing Inca stones in the background, this photo will be a special reminder of your Christmas holidays in Peru. It is also the closest thing to a reindeer in Cusco.
Explore the city of Cusco and its surroundings. Most of our excursions go normally during the holidays. Check out our excursions in Cusco including the one in the city of Cusco, the excursion of the Sacred Valley of the Incas and excursions or train trips to Machupicchu .
- Share some chocolate and a smile: A typical Christmas tradition of Cusco is a chocolate that invites people from the surrounding local communities, especially their children to share a cup of hot chocolate, a panettone and a toy to celebrate Christmas. These chocolates intended to provide a party to less fortunate families, take place in several areas of Cusco.If you are interested in joining us for this event or wish to make a donation please contact us (at least two weeks before Christmas). It would be a pleasure to have you participating in the Two Hands Chocolate!
- Check your schedule carefully: Don't forget that the main celebration is Christmas Eve, December 24, (not 25). The night of 24 is called Good Night and is when the main festivities are celebrated. On Christmas Day December 25, the city will be quite deserted, as most people celebrate with their families at home.
- Watch the artificial games. At midnight the city of Cusco will be lit with artificial games! Thousands of people and tourists will gather in the Plaza de Armas of Cusco to enjoy these incredible artificial games. This artificial game show will also take place on New Year's Eve.
- Enjoy the amazing Peruvian Christmas food! Like many other countries, most of the local people have a large and juicy turkey for Christmas dinner in Peru . The turkey will be seasoned with typical Peruvian condiments, even some injected portions of wine into their turkeys. A popular alternative to turkey is a typical roasted Peruvian pig, called a piglet. This is served with a tamale, which is a dough of steamed cornmeal, wrapped in banana leaves and filled with chicken, peanuts, hard boiled eggs, olives and chili pieces.
- Visit the colorful Christmas markets! The days before Christmas in Cusco are fun and busy with the city full of small Christmas markets . People are out buying gifts for their friends and relatives, eating sweets and breads and buying Christmas ornaments, such as textiles, incense, candles and ceramics.
- Beautiful Christmas scene on Instagram! Christmas scenarios are very common in Peru and you will see them throughout Cusco, in the streets, squares and inside buildings. A typical Christmas scene includes the main elements of the birth of Jesus: Figures of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, animals, angels and sages. Other Christmas decorations are also often included. Approximately 90% of Peru's population is Catholic, so birth scenes are an important part of Peruvian Christmas.
- Make your dreams come true: Visit Machupicchu on Christmas day! Being one of the Wonders of the World, Machupicchu is an incredible tourist attraction that Peru offers. What a great way to celebrate Christmas or receive the New Year with a visit to this amazing place!
- This charming archeological site will allow you to pause and reflect on the year and spend some time in the glorious mountains of Peru. One tip: Do not wait too long if you want to book a train excursion to Machu Picchu
- Enjoy the South American summer: In South America you will not find snow, winter vests or the cold bite during Christmas. Summer has just begun! This warm climate will be especially evident if you spend a couple of days on the Peruvian coast, where you will surely notice the high temperatures and the summer atmosphere.
- Buy a saint at the famous “Santurantikuy Navideño” fair On December 24, artisans from all over Peru will meet in the diverse and charming Christmas markets of Peru. It's magical… “Santurantikuy” Christmas Fair : Being a tradition for more than 5000 years, this market is perfect to take time to relax and to explore the colorful stalls, while having a hot chocolate. The word "Santurantikuy" means the sale of saints, which is why this market is called as such. This could be the ideal place to buy a souvenir or a last-minute Christmas gift. The fair is open from early in the morning and runs until late at night until Christmas Eve.
- Attend the Mass of Gallo The Basilica Cathedral of Cusco will open its huge doors for a beautiful Christmas Mass on the night of December 24. This Christmas Eve Mass or Mass of the Roosters begins around 10 pm and lasts approximately 1 hour and a half. Peruvians who attend this Mass return to their homes for an exchange of gifts at midnight, a Peruvian Christmas tradition. Even if you do not speak Spanish, attending this Mass is a cultural experience of a lifetime.
- Enjoy a warm drink of Peruvian comfort: Punch. As you stay on Christmas Eve to watch artificial games, you may need a nice and warm drink to keep warm. Try the punch, it is a typical Peruvian drink that contains milk, egg, clove cinnamon and airampo that is an Andean fruit that gives color. This drink is sweet and served hot which makes the perfect drink for your Christmas Eve celebration. The Punch is also served with Pisco added for those who want an alcoholic version of this Peruvian drink.
- Find the perfect place to experience Christmas Eve. In the Colonial center of Cusco will be exhibited, magnificent decoration with Christmas scenes and fireworks. The best way to see this is from one of the many balconies that line the main square. Whether with dinner, a pisco sour, a hot chocolate, you can observe the beautiful Christmas and New Year parties from a higher point of view.
- Go on a hike to Machupicchu. We organize several cultural exchanges with indigenous communities, as well as walks to Machupicchu during the holiday season. Hiking to Machupicchu is a very special effort, where you will experience a beautiful nature and a time to meditate without distractions making your time in Cusco really memorable.
- Are you still in Peru for New Year's Eve? If so, there are some unique activities that make your New Year celebration an unforgettable experience.
- Burn your old clothes. Every neighborhood in Cusco has a communal area where people go on New Year's Eve. Peruvians come here to burn their old clothes and things they no longer want to repeat on their next year's journey. These ceremonies in Cusco are symbolic for a new beginning and a way to relieve the weight of your backpack while traveling!
- You saw yellow. Part of the tradition on the eve of the New Year in Cusco, is wearing yellow clothes, it is supposed to bring good luck. In fact, after the celebration of the New Year, Cusco will be transformed into a city decorated in all yellow things, from balloons, ribbon and flowers.
- Attend the square for New Year's Eve. This is an absolute necessity. The square begins to fill up early with people, so it is important to reach a place before it gets too busy. On this night, Peruvians traditionally eat 12 grapes while they wait for midnight. When the Plaza de Armas explodes with electrifying joy, hugs, music and the famous fireworks show in Cusco.
- Experiencing Christmas and New Year's Eve in Cusco will be an unforgettable experience. You will have the opportunity to spend the holiday season in a different culture and participate in the various traditions that you observe in Peru. With all the fun activities, delicious food and drink and amazing fireworks, spending Christmas time in Peru will provide memories for a lifetime!
