Santurantikuy Fair

Santurantikuy Feria

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Carnival & ParadeCusco
Dates24 December 2026Confirmed listing
Duration1 dayListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forMasks, paradesSanturantikuy channels Cusco's centuries-old
LanguageSpanish and QuechuaCurrency: PEN
CategoryCarnival & ParadeFestival type
The story

Santurantikuy Fair in Cusco

Santurantikuy is a craft fair held every December 24 in Cusco's Plaza de Armas, where artisans from across the region sell hand-carved nativity figures, saints, and religious folk art. Its name, Quechua for to buy a saint for oneself, describes exactly what the fair exists to do, and it has been recognized as Peruvian national cultural heritage.

Every December 24, the Plaza de Armas in Cusco fills not with dancers or processions but with hundreds of stalls selling hand-carved saints, nativity figures, and folk ornaments, a market known as Santurantikuy.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Santurantikuy channels Cusco's centuries-old school of religious woodcarving and imagery, the same artistic tradition responsible for the elaborate colonial-era saints found in the city's churches, into a single day of direct sale between artisans and families preparing their home nativity scenes for Christmas

02

The mystery stays covered

The fair was declared a National Cultural Heritage of Peru by the National Institute of Culture in 2009, formal recognition of what had already functioned for generations as both an economic event for regional craftspeople and a genuine religious custom, since assembling a home nativity scene, or nacimiento, from figures bought fresh each year at Santurantikuy remains a living Cusco tradition rather than a commercial add-on to Christmas

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Nacimiento nativity-scene assembly

Water and renewal

Living ritual

Cusco School-influenced woodcarving and ceramic saints

The sacred route

Living ritual

direct artisan-to-buyer sale

The local code

Living ritual

and Christmas Eve mass following the fair

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

24 December 2026

Getting around

Getting to Santurantikuy Fair works best when the return plan is settled before arrival.

What to wear

Warm layers for a Cusco December evening at altitude, since it turns cold after dark even when daytime is mild, and comfortable shoes for standing and browsing a crowded plaza.

Safety

For Santurantikuy Fair, keep the basics simple: small bag, charged phone, meeting point and respect for crowd controls.

Where to stay

For peak dates, book flexible lodging near reliable routes into and out of Cusco.

Tickets/cost

Many carnival moments are public, but confirm paid areas or stands before travel.

Language/currency

PEN

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map13.53 S, 71.97 WOpen in Google Maps

Cusco, Cusco, Peru

Nearest airportCUZ — Alejandro Velasco Astete
TransportGetting to Santurantikuy Fair works best when the return plan is settled before arrival.
Stay areaFor peak dates, book flexible lodging near reliable routes into and out of Cusco.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Cusco via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Cusco, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for December.Compare faresFestival gearWarm layers for a Cusco December evening at altitude, since it turns cold after dark even when daytime is mild, and comfortable shoes for standing and browsing a crowded plaza.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Peru and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Santurantikuy Fair?

Santurantikuy Fair is listed for 24 December 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Santurantikuy Fair take place?

The festival is listed in Cusco, Peru. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

One day is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Cusco, Cusco, Peru

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLemufec.gob.pe
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed dates24 December 2026
Source statusOfficial source linked
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