The events in Peru are a mix of local traditions, intermingled with Roman Catholic festivals. All major festivals are marked by feasts, dances, sports, pageantry, and other forms of celebrations. The major events in the calendar of the country are Carnaval, Inti Raymi, the Independence Day, All Souls Day and Puno Day.
How Peruvians celebrate
The carnival is celebrated with much vigor and jest here. Parades, dances, feasts, and musicals are all arranged in honor of the Virgin Mary and Christ. It is not only a celebration for the religiously inclined, but for everyone. During the carnival, hordes of tourists are drawn to Peru, and you will need to make your reservations in advance. This is the most important event in Peru.
The next major event is the Inti Raymi. It has its roots in the Inca culture, and was banned by the Spaniards, when they invaded the country. But it has not been revived again and is celebrated with a lot of pomp and glamour. The festival occurs in full swing in regions where there are more natives. It is a great time to visit Peru and you get to see many native customs and traditions being revived, by the locals, during this festival. The independence day of Peru is a day when the entire nation celebrates. There are parades and fireworks to commemorate the struggle for freedom, fought by the martyrs of the country.
All souls day, is a very important occasion, not only in Peru but all over Latin America. This is the day when people remember the dead. Candles are lit, and grave yards come alive with flowers and incenses. Families walk down to graveyards, making offerings of food, flowers and candles to the dead. The air is filled with the soft sound of music and hymns being sung in honor of the dead. This is an event which is very unique, and you shouldn’t miss is it for anything. But celebrating the day of the dead doesn’t mean that the whole ceremony is somber. After offering prayers, people participate in feasts and frolic. It is important to remember that food and wine is a major part of all festivals, in Peruvian culture.
Concerts in Peru
Lima is the places to be in if you want to enjoy concerts and the cultural life of Peru. Peru came under a lot of European influence, when the Spanish first came here. True to the influence, it still holds many concerts and operas. Many people, from all over Europe, have settled in Peru. Hence, a very cosmopolitan culture has evolved in the country. Many internationally acclaimed bands, of the likes of the Rolling Stones, have performed here in Lima.
Sports in Peru
Sports are a major event, here in Peru. Like most Latin American countries, soccer is a hot favorite. Also owning to the Spanish influence, rodeo and bull fights are also pretty famous. For the tourists, Peru has a lot of outdoor activities to offer. You can enjoy snow sports in Peru, like skiing, snowboarding etc. There is also opportunity for white water rafting and rappelling in the wide and cascading rivers, especially in the mountains. Hiking and trekking is very pleasurable, up in the mountain regions and they are all a very integral part of sports in Peru. In the coastal regions, you can go fishing and angling. Also Peru has a lot to offer in water sports, especially around the coasts. You can find all varieties of water sports in Peru, such as speed boats, water bikes, snorkeling and scuba diving. Tennis is also very popular in Peru.