Diablada dancers during a Virgin of Candelaria parade

This Year's Events at the Virgin of Candelaria Festival in Puno

Mini. Posing with Virgin of Candelaria Festival in Puno, Per
Cover. Virgin of Candelaria Festival dancers in Puno, Peru
Dancing for the Virgin of Candelaria in Puno, Peru
Posing with a woman in traditional Andean dress
The Diablada dance hails from Lake Titicaca's surroundings
Even foreign travelers participate in honoring Puno's Virgin
Intricate costumes are prepared for the festival
Sicuris, Andean Panpipers, during their February parade
Virgin of Candelaria dancers in Puno near Lake Titicaca

It's being estimated that more than 30 thousand foreign and domestic travelers will visit Puno this year to take part in one of South America's most sensational festivals. Arrangements for the massive event are well underway. Yesterday, Puno's Queen of Folklore was crowned, although the first large event will be the Entrance of the K'apus. Get the schedule here...

Published on 24-01-2014, por Inca World

It's being estimated that more than 30 thousand foreign and domestic travelers will visit Puno this year to take part in one of South America's most sensational festivals, the Virgin of Candelaria Festival, which takes place the first two weeks of February each year.

The history of Puno goes back more than a millennia (its famed Floating Islands of Uros are home to what is perhaps the oldest living culture in the Americas). Spectators at the Virgin of Candelaria festival have the unique opportunity to witness hundreds of folkloric dances from different stages of this history: pre-Columbian dances from the Aymara and Quechua cultures, colonial mestizo dances with Spanish and African influences.

Arrangements for the massive event are well underway. Yesterday, Puno's Queen of Folklore was crowned, one of the events which kickstarts the weeks of festivities for the Virgin of Candelaria. The first large event will be the Entrance of the K'apus this Feb 1st, for which provincial governors from all over the Puno region are now preparing. The event is Peru's largest cultural manifestation, showcasing the wealth of music and dance styles in the country's folkloric capital.

More than 40 thousand dancers and 5 thousand musicians will take part in the festival's competitions and parades, the largest of which are listed here:

Candelaria Festival 2014: The Schedule

Jan 23rd  

The Queen of Folklore is crowned at the Coliseo Cerrado

Feb 1st    

12pm: Entrance of the K'apos, followed by ritual offering to the Pachamama

5pm: Procession of the Virgin of Candelaria (from San Juan Bautisa Sanctuary to Puno's Cathedral), followed by fireworks and festivities

Feb 2nd (Main Day)   

7am Indigenous Dance Contest at Estadio Enrique Torres Belón

2pm Main Parade, featuring Indigenous Dances by each of the rural countryside communities

Feb 8th   (eve of the Octava)

7pm Evening mass at the Sanctuary of the Virgen of Candelaria, followed by fireworks and dances

Feb 9th (the Octava)

7am Mestizo Dance Contest (Colonial & Republican era dances performed in traces de luces, bullfighters' dress)

2pm Parade, featuring Mestizo Dances by the barrios of Puno city proper

Feb 10th

8am Mestizo dance groups will perform in front of the church and through the city streets

Feb 11th   

Musical bands outdoor concert

Feb 12th   

Parade of Sicuris and Zampoñas (Andean panpipers)

It's being estimated that more than 30 thousand foreign and domestic travelers will visit Puno this year to take part in one of South America's most sensational festivals. Arrangements for the massive event are well underway. Yesterday, Puno's Queen of Folklore was crowned, although the first large event will be the Entrance of the K'apus. Get the schedule here...

Published on 24-01-2014, por Inca World

It's being estimated that more than 30 thousand foreign and domestic travelers will visit Puno this year to take part in one of South America's most sensational festivals, the Virgin of Candelaria Festival, which takes place the first two weeks of February each year.

The history of Puno goes back more than a millennia (its famed Floating Islands of Uros are home to what is perhaps the oldest living culture in the Americas). Spectators at the Virgin of Candelaria festival have the unique opportunity to witness hundreds of folkloric dances from different stages of this history: pre-Columbian dances from the Aymara and Quechua cultures, colonial mestizo dances with Spanish and African influences.

Arrangements for the massive event are well underway. Yesterday, Puno's Queen of Folklore was crowned, one of the events which kickstarts the weeks of festivities for the Virgin of Candelaria. The first large event will be the Entrance of the K'apus this Feb 1st, for which provincial governors from all over the Puno region are now preparing. The event is Peru's largest cultural manifestation, showcasing the wealth of music and dance styles in the country's folkloric capital.

More than 40 thousand dancers and 5 thousand musicians will take part in the festival's competitions and parades, the largest of which are listed here:

Candelaria Festival 2014: The Schedule

Jan 23rd  

The Queen of Folklore is crowned at the Coliseo Cerrado

Feb 1st    

12pm: Entrance of the K'apos, followed by ritual offering to the Pachamama

5pm: Procession of the Virgin of Candelaria (from San Juan Bautisa Sanctuary to Puno's Cathedral), followed by fireworks and festivities

Feb 2nd (Main Day)   

7am Indigenous Dance Contest at Estadio Enrique Torres Belón

2pm Main Parade, featuring Indigenous Dances by each of the rural countryside communities

Feb 8th   (eve of the Octava)

7pm Evening mass at the Sanctuary of the Virgen of Candelaria, followed by fireworks and dances

Feb 9th (the Octava)

7am Mestizo Dance Contest (Colonial & Republican era dances performed in traces de luces, bullfighters' dress)

2pm Parade, featuring Mestizo Dances by the barrios of Puno city proper

Feb 10th

8am Mestizo dance groups will perform in front of the church and through the city streets

Feb 11th   

Musical bands outdoor concert

Feb 12th   

Parade of Sicuris and Zampoñas (Andean panpipers)

News, routes, and expert tips

Explore the latest from our Cusco travel blog. Get practical guides, Machu Picchu updates, and fresh trekking and culture recommendations. Everything you need to travel Cusco safely and stylishly in 2026. Your next Andean story starts here!

Destinations and Routes
Arequipa, the White City Built from Volcanic Sillar

Arequipa’s white color isn’t paint: it’s volcanic stone. Discover the history, architecture, and Andean legacy of a heritage gem standing majestically at the foot of the Misti Volcano, serving as a key starting point in southern Peru.

Culture & History
San Blas: the oldest and most picturesque artisan neighborhood in cusco

Explore the iconic San Blas neighborhood in Cusco, known as the "Balcony of Cusco" and home to Peru's finest artisans. Discover its rich history from Inca times, how to walk from Plaza de Armas past the 12-Angled Stone, its famous art galleries (Mendívil and Mérida families), panoramic viewpoint, San Blas Church, and Saturday craft market. Plan your walking tour with Inca World Travel.

Destinations and Routes
Ica: Discover the 5 Most Impressive Tourist Spots in Ica

Planning a trip to Ica? Discover the top tourist attractions in Ica, Peru: the iconic Huacachina Oasis, Paracas National Reserve, enigmatic Nazca Lines, the Pisco Route, and Canyon of the Lost. Find key details on location, how to get there from Lima or Cusco, travel times, weather, and top regional museums in this comprehensive travel guide by Inca World Travel.

Are you planning to visit
Machu Picchu in 2026?

We would like to inform our travelers that availability for Circuit 1 and 2 for the months of November, December and January is at 85% of capacity. We recommend booking at least 3 months in advance.

New Circuits and Routes

The Ministry of Culture has consolidated the three main tours. As of 2026, Tour 2 (The Royal Route) remains the only one that allows visitors to take the classic photo from the Guardian’s House. We have adapted all our packages to ensure this access.

Digital Check-In and Biometric Verification

Say goodbye to long check-in lines! Starting this season, entry is faster thanks to the new digital check-in system. Our packages include full management of your personalized tickets to prevent errors on the state platform.

Circuit Ideal for... Clasic photo Difficulty
Circuit 1 (Panoramic) High views and photo posts Yes Low
Circuit 2 (Andean) Complete circuit through the ruins Yes Medium
Circuit 3 (Reality) Persons or reduced movement No Very low

Ask about our Machu Picchu packages

Explore the best of our land

Explore the breathtaking diversity of the Central Andes. From ancient archaeological wonders and surreal high-altitude landscapes to world-class gastronomy and Amazonian adventures, our updated 2026 guides showcase the very best of this premier global destination.