Plaza de Armas: Fun and Tradition
Cusco’s Plaza de Armas is the epicenter of the Cusco Carnival celebration, bringing together locals and visitors in an atmosphere of joy and tradition. Both on Carnival Sunday and during the Carnival Farewell, the plaza becomes the scene of an overflowing party, where men and women participate in a lively water game.
Attendees enjoy throwing water balloons at friends and strangers, while spray foam and colored flour add a festive touch. Laughter and excitement mix with the sound of splashing water, creating a unique experience that captures the essence of the Cusco Carnival.
The plazas of the historic center are icons of carnival fun, thanks to their open spaces and water fountains, which many use to replenish their strength and continue the game. This celebration is an opportunity to enjoy and live one of the most vibrant and authentic traditions of Cusco.
Carnivals in Cusco
The Carnivals in Cusco is arguably one of the most significant celebrations in the region, attracting both locals and tourists alike. This carnival is characterized by a vibrant display of tradition and cultural richness, taking place during the week leading up to Ash Wednesday. It features a myriad of events, such as lively parades, colorful costumes, and rhythmic music that fills the streets. Participants wear elaborate attire, often adorned with intricate embroidery and feathers, reflecting the rich indigenous heritage of the area. The atmosphere is further enhanced by traditional musical performances that incorporate local instruments such as the charango and the zampoña.
Rituals during the Carnaval de Cusco often include the ceremonial “Pachamama” offerings, which involve giving thanks to the Andean mother earth for her blessings. This aspect of the celebration highlights the connection between the community and their ancestral traditions. Food is an integral part of the carnival, with vendors offering an assortment of traditional dishes such as “pachamanca,” a dish cooked below ground with hot stones, and “chicha,” a fermented beverage made from corn.
Thursday of Compadres and Comadres: The Celebration of Unity
The Fiesta de los Compadres y Comadres is one of the most anticipated celebrations of the Cusco Carnival. Its origin dates back to the colonial era when the Spanish introduced compadrazgo as a spiritual bond through baptism or marriage. Over time, this custom became intertwined with the Andean worldview, symbolizing respect for Pachamama and the Apus.
Key dates in 2025:
Thursday of Compadres: February 20
Thursday of Comadres: February 27
Traditions and activities:
Rag dolls: Satirical representations of public or popular figures hanging on poles and balconies.
Gastronomy: Puchero, a meat and vegetable stew, is the star dish, accompanied by drinks such as chicha de jora and frutillada.
Comparsas and Music: The bands play huaynos and songs from the Cusco carnival, while the Huaylaca, a character dressed as a woman, livens up the party with humor and wit.
Doll Contest: Organized by the Municipal Company for Festivals and Tourism Promotion of Cusco (EMUFEC), it rewards creativity and the use of recycled materials.
The Role of Music and Dance in the Celebrations
Music and dance are integral components of the Carnival celebrations in Cusco, where they serve not only as forms of entertainment but also as essential expressions of cultural identity. The vibrant rhythms and captivating movements collectively create an atmosphere of joy and festivity, embodying the rich traditions of the Cusqueño people. The primary instruments utilized during these celebrations include traditional flutes, drums, and various string instruments, which together orchestrate a soundscape that resonates with the spirit of the festival.
One of the most notable dances performed during Carnival is the ‘Sikuri,’ which features dancers clad in colorful traditional attire, creating a visual feast that captivates audiences. This dance is characterized by its rhythmic movements and energetic adaptability, showcasing the versatility of performers. The ‘Huaylas’ is another popular dance that draws heavily on indigenous influences, and its performances often include intricate footwork and synchronized movements that represent community unity and strength. These dances not only engage participants but also reflect the themes of nature, agriculture, and ancestral reverence that underpin much of Cusco’s cultural framework.
Local musicians and dancers play a pivotal role in sustaining these traditions, often sharing personal anecdotes about their connection to the music and dance of the carnival. For example, Maria, a local dancer, reflects, “Each performance during Carnival allows me to connect with my ancestors and share our history with the world.” Similarly, Juan, a musician, expresses that “the sounds of our instruments tell stories that echo the soul of Cusco.” Such perspectives emphasize the significance of music and dance as living traditions that uphold the cultural narrative during Carnival. Through these vibrant expressions, the celebrations not only preserve the legacy of the Cusqueño people but also invite locals and visitors alike to participate in the joyous experience of Carnaval in Cusco.
Traditional Foods and Local Flavors of Carnival Time
The celebration of carnivals in Cusco is incomplete without appreciating the rich tapestry of traditional foods that accompany this festive season. One of the most emblematic dishes enjoyed during these celebrations is pachamanca. This traditional Peruvian dish involves cooking marinated meats, potatoes, and other vegetables in an underground oven using hot stones. The method of preparation highlights the ancient connection to the earth and is often celebrated as a communal dish, bringing families and communities together during Carnival.
Another renowned delicacy is cuy chactado, a dish featuring fried guinea pig which is often served during special occasions. This dish is not only a common feature in festive meals but also carries significant cultural value, symbolizing good fortune and abundance. In addition to these main courses, the festivities also introduce a variety of local snacks that merit attention. For instance, empanadas de carne (meat pastries) and picarones (sweet potato doughnuts) are popular treats found on the streets during the celebrations. These snacks are often enjoyed with mote (a type of boiled corn), showing the diverse culinary range available in Cusco.
Desserts also play a vital role during carnival period, with options like mazamorra morada—a sweet purple corn pudding that represents the local agricultural bounty—being widely consumed. In addition to evoking nostalgia, these dishes reflect the region’s agricultural heritage and the importance of sharing food during community gatherings. Recipes for these dishes often circulate during the season, encouraging home cooks to recreate these flavors, thus extending the carnival spirit beyond the festival itself and making it a part of everyday life.
Carnivals in Cusco are a true celebration of tradition, and the foods associated with them tell a story of the region’s history and culture, inviting everyone to partake in the joy and flavor of this remarkable time.
The Importance of Community and Family
Carnivals in Cusco serve as a vital platform for strengthening community bonds and fostering familial relationships. These celebrations go beyond mere festivities; they embody the collective spirit and unity of various neighborhoods and families coming together to honor their rich cultural heritage. As households join forces to prepare for the carnival, a remarkable synergy emerges that enhances both social and familial connections.
The organizing of parades, for instance, necessitates collaboration among local residents, ensuring that every participant plays a meaningful role in the event. Families work together to create vibrant costumes, which may reflect both personal stories and shared traditions. This teamwork not only instills a sense of pride but also cultivates an environment where younger generations learn about the significance of their customs and values. Such engagements create memories that bind families, making the experience of carnival celebrations a cherished one.
Moreover, communal feasts are integral to the carnival. Neighbors often share traditional dishes, enhancing the fusion of flavors that characterize Cusco’s culinary culture. These shared meals serve as a metaphor for community: just as the ingredients come together to create rich, intricate flavors, so too do the individuals from diverse backgrounds blend their unique traits to enhance the greater collective. In this way, the act of sharing food during the carnival signifies more than sustenance; it symbolizes solidarity, generosity, and a collective heritage.
Personal anecdotes abound in the context of carnivals; stories passed down through generations often highlight how families and communities collaborated to organize these events. These narratives reinforce the importance of maintaining traditions and exemplifying how collective efforts foster an environment of joy and connectedness. This enduring commitment to community and family during carnival celebrations is central to preserving the cultural identity of Cusco, enriching both individual lives and society as a whole.
Parade: the parade of joy
Kacharpari 2025 – March 9
Kacharpari 2025 is a parade that marks the end of the Cusco Carnival with a display of music, dance and tradition in an atmosphere of joy and culture. During this festivity, thousands of people gather to enjoy parades of comparsas, folkloric dances, water games, talcum powder, streamers and an exquisite traditional gastronomy that includes puchero, chicha de jora and frutillada. This event not only represents the farewell to the carnival, but also strengthens the cultural identity of the Cusco people, becoming an unforgettable experience for locals and tourists. If you visit Cusco in March, do not miss Kacharpari 2025, where tradition and celebration come together to say goodbye to the carnival with great enthusiasm and color.
Qhaswa Raymi 2025 – March 23
Qhaswa Raymi is the Quechua name for the traditional Cusco Carnival Festival, where “Qhaswa” means Carnival and “Raymi” means Party. Every year, the Regional Government of Cusco organizes a spectacular multi-colored parade, where music, dance and the cultural wealth of the region come together in a vibrant celebration.
This carnival parade in Cusco brings together delegations from the 13 provinces and 116 districts of the region, along with various local entities. The parade goes through the main streets of the city, passing through emblematic avenues and squares such as Plaza Túpac Amaru, to culminate in the majestic Plaza de Armas.
The festival is filled with vibrant colors, traditional costumes are displayed, and folk dances and songs are performed that celebrate Andean identity. In addition, Cusco’s gastronomy plays an important role, with traditional dishes that delight attendees. As is tradition in Cusco’s Carnivals, playing with water balloons, foam and flour is part of the fun, creating a festive and joyful atmosphere.
Experiencing Qhaswa Raymi in Cusco is a unique experience. Tradition and modernity merge in one of the most anticipated festivities of the year.
Carnival games: fun and tradition
Carnival in Cusco is a vibrant celebration in which men and women divide into two teams and play at throwing water, water balloons, flour and even shoe polish at each other in an atmosphere of camaraderie. Over time, this festival has evolved, adapting its games and traditions to new customs and safety measures.
Initially, participants used scented water, eggs filled with aromatic liquids and diethyl ether. The latter generated a refreshing sensation but was highly flammable and toxic, so it was banned. These practices were part of social interaction, especially among young people, as a form of integration and courtship.
Over time, the Cusco carnival abandoned dangerous elements and adopted safer alternatives. In the 20th century, eggs and perfumes were replaced by water balloons, water guns and flour, allowing the festival to remain fun without causing excessive discomfort. Today, participants use spray foam during games, an element that has transformed interactions during the festivities and gained popularity through commercialization. This change has cemented Carnival as one of Cusco’s most significant celebrations.
Despite these changes, some traditions have endured. In highland regions such as Ayacucho, people still use talcum powder to play, while flour plays a central role in Cusco’s celebrations. The introduction of products such as streamers, talcum powder, and foam sprays has modernized the festivity without losing its festive essence, ensuring that Andean Carnival continues to be a vibrant expression of culture and joy.
Conclusion: The Everlasting Spirit of Cusco’s Carnivals
Carnivals in Cusco represent a vibrant tapestry of cultural expression that encapsulates the heart and soul of the community. These celebrations, deeply rooted in tradition, showcase the rich heritage of the region, melding indigenous customs with colonial influences to create a unique festival that resonates with both locals and visitors alike. Through colorful parades, traditional music, and lively dances, the carnivals offer a glimpse into the joyous spirit of Cusco’s people, where the sense of community and shared identity thrives.
Each year, these festivities breathe life into the streets of Cusco, attracting tourists who seek to experience the warmth and enthusiasm that characterize the celebrations. Local participants invest significant time and effort in preparing for the carnivals, reflecting a collective pride in their cultural heritage. This dedication not only preserves traditions but also fosters intergenerational connections, allowing the wisdom and customs of the past to be passed down to future generations. The joyous atmosphere of the carnivals inspires a sense of belonging and camaraderie, not only among participants but also among spectators who are enchanted by the festive spirit.
As we reflect on the importance of these events, it becomes evident that the carnivals play a vital role in maintaining the cultural identity of Cusco while also promoting tourism and economic growth. By witnessing these unique celebrations, individuals can gain a deeper appreciation for the rich traditions that underpin the festivals. We invite readers to consider visiting Cusco during carnival season or sharing their knowledge of these cultural events. Supporting and participating in these festivities not only enriches individual experiences but also contributes to the preservation of the enduring spirit of Cusco’s carnivals for years to come.
