Peruvian Holidays Calendar 2026 — Key Dates
The Peruvian calendar has dates the community follows seriously. Some are official national holidays (in Peru), others are religious, others cultural. This is the full 2026 calendar, with notes on how it's celebrated in LA.
January — New Year
January 1. Peruvian tradition: eat 12 grapes at midnight (one per month), run around the block with an empty suitcase (to travel), yellow underwear (luck) or red (love). In LA, parties at homes or Peruvian restaurants.
February — Carnival
Third weekend of February. In Peru: water, talc, paint. In LA: tamer version at restaurants and community centers. Coincides with SoCal qualifiers for the National Marinera Competition.
March/April — Holy Week
Variable dates (Easter = April 5, 2026). Peruvian Catholic community in LA participates in masses and processions, especially at Hollywood and South Bay parishes. Culinary tradition: Holy Week fish, no meat.
May — Mother's Day
Second Sunday of May (May 10, 2026). Mother's Day in Peru is practically more important than Christmas. Peruvian restaurants in LA have special brunches; book 2 weeks ahead.
June — Inti Raymi
June 24. Sun Festival, Inca heritage. Celebration in Cusco; in LA there's usually a symbolic ceremony organized by Andean folkloric groups.
July — Fiestas Patrias 🇵🇪
July 28 and 29. Most important date on the calendar. Official Consulate festival, concerts, food fairs, patriotic masses. Full guide here.
August — Saint Rose of Lima
August 30. Patron saint of Peru and the Americas. Masses at parishes with Peruvian congregations. Tradition: drop a letter with petitions into the "wishing well" — in LA, parishes improvise one.
October — Purple Month / Lord of Miracles
All October, main processions late month. The most religious month on the Peruvian calendar. Devotees wear purple all month. Processions at 3-4 churches across LA County. Culinary tradition: turrón de Doña Pepa.
November — Peruvian Day of the Dead
November 1-2. Andean variant of Day of the Dead. Some Peruvian families in LA prepare altars with traditional guagua de pan (baby-shaped bread).
December — Christmas
December 24 (dinner), 25 (Christmas), 31 (New Year's Eve). Peruvian traditions in LA:
- Christmas Eve dinner — roast turkey or pork, chicken salad, panettone, hot chocolate.
- Midnight Mass (Misa de Gallo) on the 24th.
- Panettone — the Italian-Peruvian sweet bread eaten throughout December. Brands: Bauducco, D'Onofrio, Motta.
- Hot chocolate — thick, with evaporated milk, cinnamon, cloves. The one drink served hot at Christmas even when it's warm outside.
Regional dates relevant to LA
- August 15 — Trujillo Founding — Trujillo community in LA usually celebrates (lots of marinera).
- October 30 — Creole Music Day — competitions at Peruvian bars and restaurants.
- November 17 — Lima Founding — Lima community organizes gatherings.
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