Holy Week in Peru – A Fusion of Faith and Culture

Holy Week in Latin America, and particularly in Peru, is a time rich in religious, cultural, and festive traditions that attract many travelers each year.

Celebrated between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday, it commemorates the Passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In Peru, a deeply Catholic country, this holiday holds major significance and is marked by solemn ceremonies, impressive processions, as well as popular festivities and unique culinary traditions.

Must-Visit Places to Experience Holy Week in Peru

Ayacucho: Considered the capital of Holy Week in Peru, Ayacucho hosts one of the most traditional and spectacular celebrations in Latin America. The city organizes nearly ten days of festivities, including daily processions, cockfights, bonfires, and a large open-air market. The Good Friday procession, which carries the body of Christ to the cathedral, is especially moving. The event blends religious fervor with a festive atmosphere, where music, beer, and community gatherings set the rhythm of the days.

Cusco: The former capital of the Inca Empire celebrates Holy Week with unique religious syncretism, combining Catholic traditions with Andean customs. Processions here are accompanied by traditional dances, Andean music, and colorful attire. The Huaraqui procession, which begins early on Good Friday morning, is an intense spiritual experience marked by melancholic chants from rural communities. The Plaza de Armas is the heart of the ceremonies, where worshippers attend masses and rituals throughout the week.

Lima: In the capital, Holy Week is celebrated in historic churches like the Santo Domingo Convent. The "Lord of Miracles" procession is a highlight, drawing thousands of devotees in an atmosphere of reverence and devotion. The city also offers an urban setting to explore religious traditions in a metropolitan context.

Traditions and Atmosphere

Processions are the centerpiece of Holy Week. They are organized by local brotherhoods carrying richly decorated religious statues, often accompanied by sacred music, incense, and liturgical chants. Participants wear robes and hoods, symbols of penance and faith.

Easter Sunday concludes the week with joy, featuring fireworks, parades, and popular celebrations honoring Christ’s resurrection—a moment of great jubilation contrasting with the solemnity of the preceding days.

What Are the Culinary Traditions of Holy Week in Peru?

The 12 Dishes of Good Friday
In Cusco and other regions, it’s traditional to eat 12 dishes on Good Friday, symbolizing the 12 apostles at the Last Supper. These dishes avoid red meat, focusing instead on fish, seafood, grains, Andean tubers, and vegetables. This festive meal often brings families together around varied and symbolic flavors.

Fish and Seafood Dishes
Since meat is avoided, fish and seafood take center stage. In Cusco, soups made with machas (clams), shrimp, fish roe, cheese, seaweed, and rice are common. On the coast, specialties like parihuela (spicy seafood soup) and ceviche are popular during this time.

Andean Tubers and Grains
Traditional dishes feature local ingredients like olluco, tarwi (Andean lupin beans), quinoa, chuño (freeze-dried potatoes), and squash. These are prepared in soups, stews, or side dishes, offering authentic Andean flavors.

Empanadas and Sweets
Holy Week empanadas—a type of dry biscuit sprinkled with sugar pearls—are a Cusco tradition. Typical desserts include rice pudding, cookies, corn cakes, and fruit-based sweets like peaches or plums. Local fairs sell these specialties during Holy Week.