Peru's National Holidays: Experience Tradition in Every Corner of the Country
Peru’s National Holidays: A Country That Proudly Celebrates Its Independence
Every July 28 and 29, all of Peru dresses in red and white to commemorate its independence from Spanish rule. These are days filled with emotion, history, and tradition, when every corner of the country celebrates in its own way—with cultural, gastronomic, and patriotic expressions that reflect Peru’s richness and diversity.
The history of Peruvian independence is marked by heroic figures such as Don José de San Martín and Simón Bolívar, who led the liberation campaign. On July 28, 1821, San Martín proclaimed Peru’s independence in Lima’s Plaza Mayor, after a long campaign that included the landing in Paracas and alliances with Peruvian patriots. Years later, Bolívar would consolidate this freedom with the historic battles of Junín and Ayacucho in 1824.
But beyond the historical events, the National Holidays are a time to connect with national identity. Let’s see how these dates are celebrated in Peru’s three major regions: the Coast, the Highlands, and the Jungle.
Celebrations on the Coast: Lima and Patriotic Fervor
On the Peruvian coast, especially in Lima, the capital, the national holiday celebrations combine solemnity with popular joy. July 28 begins with the traditional Mass and Te Deum at Lima’s Cathedral, followed by the President of the Republic’s address to the nation. The next day, July 29, the civic–military parade takes place, one of the most anticipated events for the public.
During these dates, Lima also becomes a cultural hub. The International Book Fair in the district of Jesús María, for example, offers a special program that this year includes tributes to Peruvian Nobel laureate Mario Vargas Llosa and to the guest country, Italy.
Gastronomy plays a central role in coastal celebrations: culinary fairs allow Limeños to enjoy Peru’s iconic dishes. Families organize jaranas criollas, where traditional music such as the vals and the marinera accompany gatherings full of patriotic pride. In addition, this year features the presentation of the Great Chinese Circus with its show “Beijing Beijing – Fu Tu” at the Gran Teatro Nacional.
In every home, it’s common to see the Peruvian flag waving from balconies and windows—a symbol of the patriotic spirit that unites citizens.
Celebrations in the Highlands: Tradition, Identity, and Folklore
In the Andean region, the National Holidays are experienced with a deep connection to roots and history. Cities like Cusco, Arequipa, and Ayacucho celebrate with school parades, artisan fairs, and traditional dances. In many towns, the celebrations begin days before July 28, with religious activities, community fairs, and folk festivals.
Patriotic fervor blends with ancestral traditions. In some places, the festivities include processions, native dance competitions, agricultural fairs, and gastronomic festivals featuring typical regional dishes such as rocoto relleno, cuy chactado, or fried trout.
In the Highlands, these holidays are also an opportunity for family reunions: many people who migrated to cities return to their hometowns to celebrate with loved ones, renewing their bonds with the land and culture.
Celebrations in the Jungle: Nature, Joy, and Color
The Peruvian Amazon offers a unique way to celebrate independence—in contact with nature, with vivid colors, exotic flavors, and an endless festive atmosphere.
One of the most representative cities of the Peruvian Amazon is Iquitos, known as “the pearl of the Orient.” Here, the National Holidays are celebrated with school parades, sports activities, Amazonian music festivals, and above all, a strong tourism offering. It’s an ideal time for domestic travel and for discovering places like the Santo Tomás resort, where visitors can go water-skiing, or the Amazonian aquariums that showcase exotic fish found nowhere else in the world.
Visitors can also enjoy accommodations in Momón, located deep in the jungle, or tour the historic center of Iquitos, which preserves buildings from the rubber boom era with notable European influence.
In every corner of the Amazon, love for the homeland is expressed in its own style—joyful, colorful, and full of life.
One Country, Many Ways to Celebrate
Peru’s National Holidays not only commemorate a historic event but also reinforce the identity of a diverse and multicultural nation. From processions in the Andes, to Lima’s literary and gastronomic fairs, to the vibrant celebrations of the jungle, Peru shows that its unity lies in its diversity.
SOURCES
National Library of Peru
Tripadvisor