Peru Public Holidays

Peru Public Holidays

Searching for the national holidays in Peru? All public holidays in Peru are treated like Sundays. This means that most of the Peru employees have a day off and all schools are closed on these office holidays. If you are planning a trip to Peru and want to know what the national and regional holidays are, check the details in the tables below.

Peru, a country with a rich cultural history, celebrates a variety of public holidays that reflect its historical, religious, and cultural heritage. These holidays commemorate important national events, religious traditions, and indigenous customs that have been passed down through generations. Public holidays in Peru are not only a time for celebration but also for reflection on the country’s diverse identity and shared values.

National Public Holidays

1. New Year’s Day (January 1st)

New Year’s Day is celebrated in Peru, as it is around the world, marking the beginning of the new year according to the Gregorian calendar.

Significance

• Symbolizes new beginnings, hope, and aspirations for the coming year.
• Provides a time for reflection on the achievements and challenges of the past year.

Celebrations

• Families and friends gather to welcome the new year, often with large meals and fireworks displays.
• Fireworks are especially popular in cities like Lima, Cusco, and Arequipa, where the night skies are illuminated by colorful displays.
• Many Peruvians attend church services on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day to pray for blessings in the upcoming year.
• Traditional celebrations also include eating twelve grapes at midnight, one for each stroke of the clock, to bring good luck for each month of the year.

2. Independence Day (July 28th and July 29th)

According to everhomedecor.com, Independence Day, or Fiestas Patrias, is Peru’s most significant national holiday, celebrating the country’s independence from Spanish colonial rule. The holiday spans two days: July 28th marks the Declaration of Independence in 1821, while July 29th honors the country’s armed forces and national police.

Significance

• Celebrates Peru’s liberation from Spanish rule, achieved through the efforts of national heroes like José de San Martín and Simón Bolívar.
• Honors the nation’s history, culture, and the sacrifices made for freedom.

Celebrations

• On July 28th, the President of Peru delivers the annual Mensaje a la Nación (Message to the Nation), highlighting the government’s accomplishments and future goals.
• Military parades are held in major cities, with Lima hosting the largest, featuring soldiers, police officers, and civil servants.
• Cultural performances, traditional dances, and music are showcased in public squares and parks, celebrating the country’s rich heritage.
• Homes, buildings, and streets are decorated with the national colors of red and white, and the Peruvian flag is prominently displayed.
• Families gather for special meals, often featuring traditional Peruvian dishes such as ceviche, anticuchos (grilled beef heart skewers), and pachamanca (a traditional Andean dish cooked in an earthen oven).

3. Battle of Angamos (October 8th)

The Battle of Angamos is a public holiday commemorating the Peruvian Navy’s role in the War of the Pacific, particularly the heroic actions of Admiral Miguel Grau during the naval Battle of Angamos in 1879.

Significance

• Honors Admiral Miguel Grau, one of Peru’s most revered national heroes, for his bravery and leadership during the Battle of Angamos.
• Recognizes the sacrifices of the Peruvian Navy and its role in the nation’s military history.

Commemorations

• The Peruvian Navy organizes special ceremonies and events in memory of Admiral Grau and the sailors who fought in the war.
• Wreath-laying ceremonies are held at naval bases and military monuments across the country.
• Schoolchildren participate in educational programs that teach about the Battle of Angamos and its significance in Peru’s history.
• The Peruvian flag is flown at half-mast in military and government buildings.

4. Armed Forces Day and National Police Day (December 9th)

Armed Forces Day and National Police Day are celebrated together in Peru on December 9th. This day honors the service and dedication of the country’s military and police forces, as well as commemorating the Battle of Ayacucho, a pivotal event in the Peruvian War of Independence.

Significance

• Honors the contributions of the Peruvian armed forces and police in protecting the nation’s security and sovereignty.
• Commemorates the victory in the Battle of Ayacucho in 1824, which marked the end of Spanish rule in South America.

Commemorations

• Parades and ceremonies are held at military bases and police stations across the country.
• Government officials attend wreath-laying events at military monuments, paying tribute to fallen soldiers and police officers.
• Public events celebrate the importance of the military and police in maintaining peace and order.

Religious Public Holidays

5. Holy Thursday and Good Friday (Varies)

Holy Thursday and Good Friday are two of the most important religious holidays in Peru, celebrated during the Christian Holy Week (Semana Santa). These days commemorate the Passion of Jesus Christ, his crucifixion, and his death.

Significance

• Holy Thursday marks the Last Supper of Jesus with his disciples, while Good Friday commemorates his crucifixion and death.
• A time for prayer, reflection, and solemnity in the Christian calendar, particularly in the predominantly Catholic country of Peru.

Observances

• Many Peruvians attend special church services and processions reenacting the Passion of Christ, particularly in cities like Ayacucho, Cusco, and Lima.
• In Ayacucho, one of the country’s most famous Holy Week celebrations takes place, featuring processions, traditional dances, and religious ceremonies.
• People fast or refrain from eating meat as a sign of penance, and many prepare bacalao (salted codfish) or other seafood dishes as part of the Holy Week meals.
• Businesses and schools are typically closed, allowing families to spend time together in observance of these holy days.

6. Easter Sunday (Varies)

Easter Sunday celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and is the culmination of the Holy Week celebrations. It is a joyous occasion marked by religious observances and family gatherings.

Significance

• Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus, symbolizing hope, renewal, and the promise of eternal life for Christians.
• A time for joy and festivity following the solemnity of Holy Week.

Celebrations

• Easter Mass is attended by many Peruvians, with churches filled with worshippers celebrating the resurrection.
• Family gatherings and special meals are a central part of the celebration, often including lechón (roast pork) or cabrito (roast goat).
• Easter eggs, a symbol of new life, are also part of some Peruvian traditions, especially for children.
• In some regions, traditional dances and folk music performances take place in public squares, adding to the festive atmosphere.

7. Feast of Saints Peter and Paul (June 29th)

The Feast of Saints Peter and Paul is a religious holiday that honors two of the most important apostles in Christianity, Peter and Paul, both of whom are considered pillars of the early Christian Church.

Significance

• Celebrates the lives and contributions of Saints Peter and Paul, who are revered for spreading the teachings of Christianity and laying the foundations of the early Church.

Celebrations

• Church services are held across Peru, especially in coastal towns where Saint Peter is venerated as the patron saint of fishermen.
• Coastal communities, particularly in the north of Peru, hold colorful processions in honor of Saint Peter, with boats and fishing vessels often decorated for the occasion.
• Families and communities gather for meals, celebrating both the religious and cultural significance of the day.

8. All Saints’ Day (November 1st)

All Saints’ Day is a religious holiday that honors all the saints, known and unknown, in the Christian tradition. It is a day of reflection and remembrance for both the saints and the departed.

Significance

• Commemorates the lives of saints who have attained heaven and serves as a day to honor deceased loved ones.

Celebrations

• Families visit cemeteries to clean and decorate the graves of their ancestors, often bringing flowers and candles.
• Many people attend special Masses and offer prayers for their departed loved ones.
• In rural areas, traditional food such as tamales and tanta wawa (bread shaped like children) is shared with family members in memory of those who have passed away.

9. Immaculate Conception (December 8th)

The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is a Catholic holiday that celebrates the belief that the Virgin Mary was conceived without original sin.

Significance

• Honors the Virgin Mary and her special place in the Christian faith, particularly in Peruvian Catholicism where Marian devotion is strong.

Celebrations

• Church services are held to commemorate the feast, with processions and prayers dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
• In some parts of Peru, local festivals and parades are organized to honor Mary, with traditional music and dances performed in her honor.

10. Christmas Day (December 25th)

Christmas Day is one of the most widely celebrated holidays in Peru, marking the birth of Jesus Christ. It is a time for religious observance, family gatherings, and festive traditions.

Significance

• Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, central to the Christian faith, and emphasizes themes of love, peace, and generosity.
• A time for both religious reflection and joyous celebration in Peruvian culture.

Celebrations

• Midnight Mass, or Misa de Gallo, is attended by many Peruvians on Christmas Eve, with churches filled for the special service.
• Families gather after Mass for a traditional Christmas Eve meal, often featuring roast turkey, tamales, and panetón (a sweet bread with dried fruit).
• Gifts are exchanged, particularly among children, and homes are decorated with Christmas trees, lights, and nativity scenes.
• Christmas Day is usually spent with family, enjoying meals and sharing in the festive spirit.

Other Significant Public Holidays

11. Labor Day (May 1st)

Labor Day, also known as International Workers’ Day, is a public holiday in Peru dedicated to celebrating the contributions of workers and the labor movement.

Significance

• Honors the achievements of workers and advocates for fair labor practices and workers’ rights.

Celebrations

• Labor unions and workers’ organizations often organize marches, rallies, and speeches to advocate for workers’ rights.
• Families take advantage of the day off to relax, travel, or gather for meals.

12. St. Rose of Lima Day (August 30th)

St. Rose of Lima is the patron saint of Peru, and her feast day is a national public holiday in the country.

Significance

• Celebrates the life of St. Rose, known for her devotion, humility, and care for the poor and sick.

Celebrations

• Special Masses and processions are held in Lima, where St. Rose lived, as well as in other parts of the country.
• Pilgrims visit the shrine of St. Rose in Lima, where her remains are interred, to offer prayers and thanks.