May month is coming to an end and June is around the corner, the city home to Machu Picchu in Peru, Cusco, is preparing for one of the most important celebrations of the year. Declared as a National Cultural Heritage in Peru for more than 20 years, since 2004, Corpus Christi Cusco 2025 feast is about to start.
This celebration combines a lot of cultural elements of the Andean cosmovision and blends it together to the catholic religion, now the most practiced religion in Peru. There’s a lot of spiritual meaning behind it and it is lived as a whole happiness party. If you are planning to visit Peru, going on June and being part of the Corpus Christi in Cusco celebration would be a great idea. Keep reading to find out the best of this celebration and the key dates for you to plan your perfect itinerary on June.
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History of Corpus Christi Cusco
The history of Corpus Christi in Cusco starts way before Catholicism even came to Peru. During the Inca empire days, there were traditional celebrations dedicated to honor their ancestors and of course, to honor their god Inti (the sun). In these celebrations they would go on processions with the mallquis, that were the mommified bodies of the Incas, decorated with all kind of clothes and other elements.
Once the Spanish people came to Peru, everything changed. For them, the only valid religion was the catholic one, so they wanted to evangelize the Peruvian people. In order to do that, they banned the cleebration of these traditions, but used some of the elements of them to set new celebrations and obligate the people to venere catholic images.
In 1572, they replaced the mallquis procession with a procession of 15 saints and virgins. That is the celebration we now know as the Corpus Christi in Cusco.
When is the Corpus Christi in Cusco celebrated?
The Corpus Christi in Cusco follows the church calendar, so it is celebrated 60 days after easter or nine weeks after the Holy Thursday. In 2025 the main procession will be on June 19th, but there is also some days after this celebration in where Cusco has still some other activities related to this. If you want to experience the fervor and traditions of the city you should stay maybe for the whole week.
How is the Corpus Christi in Cusco celebrated?
The Corpus Christi in Cusco is celebrated with great devotion and colorful tradition. Fifteen sacred images of saints and virgins, each belonging to different parishes around the city, are beautifully decorated with elaborate garments, flowers, and jewels. These images are carried on large, ornate platforms by devoted parishioners in solemn processions that begin in their home churches and slowly make their way to the Plaza de Armas. There, they are received by crowds of locals and visitors, accompanied by traditional bands, dances, and bursts of incense. The images remain in the Cathedral for several days, and the entire celebration reflects a unique blend of Catholic and Andean cultural expressions.
Saint and Virgins of Corpus Christi Cusco
These are the fifteen sacred images that are taken out to the procession to the Plaza de Armas in Cusco.
- San Antonio from the parish of San Cristóbal.
- San Jerónimo from the parish of the district of San Jerónimo.
- San Cristóbal from the parish of San Cristóbal.
- San Sebastián from the parish of the district of San Sebastián.
- Santa Bárbara from the parish of the district of Poroy.
- Santa Ana from the parish of Santa Ana.
- Santiago Apóstol from the parish of Santiago.
- San Blas from the parish of San Blas.
- San Pedro from the parish of San Pedro.
- San José from the parish of Belén.
- Virgen de la Natividad from the parish of Almudena.
- Virgen de los Remedios from the church of Santa Catalina.
- Virgen Purificada from the parish of San Pedro.
- Virgen de Belén from the parish of Belén.
- Virgen de la Inmaculada Concepción, also known as “La Linda,” from the Basilica Cathedral.
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Key dates of Corpus Christi Cusco 2025
If you are thinking of traveling to Peru, going on these dates would be a great decision, because the best season to travel to the Andes in Peru starts. From May to September, a lot of tourists go on their Machu Picchu day tour from Cusco, because during this months is the dry season, and the weather is perfect for all the trekking or hiking tours.
But imagine not only going the Inca citadel, but also having the experience of on the most exciting celebrations in Cusco city as the Corpus Christi is. Here you have a guide through the key dates of Corpus Christi in Cusco 2025.
Wednesday, June 18, 2025 – Entrance of the Saints:
In the afternoon and evening, the 15 images of saints and virgins are carried in procession from their parishes to the Cathedral of Cusco. This event is festive, with traditional music, dancers, fireworks, and faithful followers accompanying the images. Once inside the cathedral, the images are arranged for veneration.
Thursday, June 19, 2025 – Corpus Christi Day (Main Procession):
This is the main day of the celebration. Around 11:00 a.m., the Holy Sacrament (Blessed Sacrament) is carried in a solemn procession around the Plaza de Armas, followed by the saints and virgins. Thousands gather to watch, and locals share in traditional food, especially chiri uchu, a typical cold dish prepared especially for this feast.
From Friday, June 20 to Wednesday, June 25, 2025 – Days of Veneration (Octave):
For the following days, the sacred images remain in the cathedral. People come to pray, attend masses, and offer candles and flowers. The Plaza de Armas stays lively, with ongoing cultural activities and local food stalls.
During these days, you can also try another activities to know around Cusco. For example, you can go on a short inca trail 2 days trek to Machu Picchu, since the weather is perfect for it and it is not a really long tour. So you can have the opportunity to be back and keep experiencing the Corpus Christi celebration.
Thursday, June 26, 2025 – Return of the Saints (Octava del Corpus):
This day marks the farewell of the saints. Each image is carried back to its respective church in a joyful and colorful procession, once again accompanied by music, dance, and fireworks, concluding the Corpus Christi festivities.
Chiriuchu, the traditional food during Corpus Christi Cusco
Chiriuchu is a traditional cold dish from Cusco, whose name comes from Quechua: “chiri” means cold and “uchu” means chili or spicy. It is eaten exclusively during the Corpus Christi celebrations, especially on the main day and the days that follow. This dish symbolizes the union of Peru’s diverse regions, coast, highlands, and jungle, as each ingredient comes from a different part of the country. Eating chiri uchu during Corpus Christi is a way of honoring tradition, cultural identity, and gratitude for abundance.
Main Ingredients of Chiriuchu:
- Roasted guinea pig (cuy) – a delicacy from the Andean highlands
- Hen meat (usually boiled or baked) – adds protein and heartiness
- Chorizo (spicy sausage) – typically from the jungle region
- Corn tortilla (tortilla de maíz) – a soft and dense base for the dish
- Toasted corn (cancha) – provides crunch and texture
- Cheese (queso fresco) – adds saltiness and creaminess
- Seaweed (cochayuyo) – brought from the Peruvian coast
- Fish roe (hueva de pescado) – often dried and sliced
- Red chili pepper (rocoto) – for a spicy Andean touch
This colorful and flavorful dish is always served cold and enjoyed outdoors in plazas and streets during the festivities.
Tips to the Corpus Christi Cusco celebration
Attending to Corpus Christi in Cusco is an amazing opportunity to learn more about the Peruvian culture and have a powerful spiritual experience. If you are going on a tour with a Peru tour operator, you could ask the travel agency for some tips during your visit to Cusco. You can also guide from these tips we have prepared for you.
- Be respectful of the faith: This is a deeply religious event for locals. Observe in silence during the most solemn moments, like the procession of the Holy Sacrament.
- Dress appropriately: Even though it might be sunny during the day, remember that this season is cold, especially in the mornings and evenings. Avoid overly revealing clothes — especially if you plan to enter churches or sacred spaces.
- Learn before you go: Take time to understand the meaning of the celebration and the role of each saint and virgin. It will help you appreciate what you’re witnessing.
- Support local vendors: Try traditional dishes like chiriuchu, buy local crafts, and engage with the culture in a responsible way.
- Ask before taking photos: Especially if you’re photographing people in traditional clothing or religious images.
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Experiencing Corpus Christi in Cusco
The Corpus Christi in Cusco is one of the important celebrations in Peru, so if you want to have a real experience of learning about culture and inmersing yourself into this religious feast, visti Peru during these dates. Remember the best season to travel to Peru is from May to September so is the perfect opportunity for you.
Remember this celebrations holds a lot of meaning for locals, so always remember to be respectful and unverstanding about the traditions. And don’t worry, Peru is a country really welcoming with the people who truly values and want to learn about their culture.
