Carnivals in Perú

Carnival in Peru is one of the most colorful and eagerly awaited celebrations of the year. Music, traditional dances, parades, water games, and unique cuisine take over the streets. In 2026, travel to the country's most iconic destinations by bus and save up to 20% by using the code CARNAVALES when purchasing your bus tickets with redBus Peru from the app. TyCs Apply.

Plan your trip in advance, avoid lines, and secure your seat to experience carnival in Puno, Cajamarca, Huaraz, Ayacucho, Huancayo, and Jauja.

Carnival of Cajamarca 2026, known as the “Happiest Festival in Peru,” will be held from February 14 to 18 in the city of Cajamarca and brings together tradition, music, dances, comparsas, and cultural expressions that attract thousands of visitors every year.

The celebration begins with the Entrance of Ño Carnavalón, continues with the Patrols and Comparsas Contest and the Grand Carnival Parade, and concludes with the wake and burial of Ño Carnavalón in Los Baños del Inca—events filled with satire, humor, and social commentary. During these days, the city comes alive with coplas and water-and-paint games symbolizing renewal, along with intense tourism activity that boosts the local economy, benefiting commerce, gastronomy, and hospitality.

To make the most of it, it’s recommended to plan ahead, participate actively, respect local traditions, and follow safety guidelines for an unforgettable cultural experience.

Carnival in Ayacucho 2026, celebrated from February 14 to 18, is one of the most authentic and traditional festivals in Peru, recognized as Cultural Heritage of the Nation and a living expression of Ayacucho folklore. This celebration stands out for its songs, music, and carnival dances that pay tribute to Pachamama for the maturation of crops, as well as for the creativity of its comparsas, songs, and the traditional Ño Carnavalón testament. During the central days, the Parade of Traditional Ayacucho Comparsas takes place, where more than 100 groups—made up of neighbors from different districts—parade in multicolored costumes with dancers representing the identity, history, and cultural richness of the region.

The Festivities of the Virgin of Candelaria in Puno 2026, celebrated from February 1 to 10, are the largest cultural, religious, and folkloric manifestation in Peru and have been recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. This festival honors the patron saint of Puno and represents a deep syncretism between Catholic faith and Andean spirituality, closely linked to Pachamama (Mother Earth). Over several days, more than 40,000 dancers and thousands of musicians fill the streets with native dances and dazzling costumes, attracting thousands of national and international visitors. Planning travel and accommodation in advance is highly recommended to enjoy this unique experience in the Peruvian highlands.

Carnival of Huaraz 2026, celebrated from February 14 to 18, is one of the most authentic cultural expressions of Áncash and a true popular festival organized by neighborhoods, institutions, and the community at large. This celebration blends tradition and joy with emblematic manifestations such as Ño Carnavalón, the Huachihualitos, mask contests, the election of Shipash Carnaval, and the unique Encounter of Crosses—a tradition of Ancash popular knowledge that fuses Christian and Andean beliefs, linked to ancient agricultural rituals of the Puclley, reflecting the identity, spirituality, and creativity of the people of Huaraz.

Jauja Carnival 2026, celebrated on February 7, 14, 15, and 16, is one of the most elegant and traditional festivities in the Mantaro Valley, recognized for its refined style, music, and strong social spirit. On these dates, Jauja comes alive with traditional dances, festive gatherings, and neighborhood celebrations where ladies and gentlemen wear traditional attire and dance to orchestras and bands, keeping alive a tradition that stands out for its harmony, cultural identity, and generational transmission of Andean folklore.

The 2026 Arequipa Carnival is not celebrated on a single date, but rather through two main festivities that take place between February and March. On the one hand, the Chuquibambino Wifala Carnival will take place from February 9 to 23, 2026 (dates subject to confirmation) in the district of Chuquibamba, with traditional dances, songs, and rituals. and on the other hand, the Loncco Caymeño Carnival will be held on March 1, 2026, in the district of Cayma, near the city of Arequipa, with parades of dance troupes, harlequins, music, games with foam and streamers, making Arequipa one of the most festive destinations in southern Peru during the carnival season.

The Huaytará Carnival is celebrated during the month of February, in line with the carnival season in the southern Andean region of Peru. Although the exact dates may vary each year, it usually takes place in mid-February, featuring traditional dances, comparsas, water games, and Andean rituals related to land fertility and the cultural identity of the Huaytará province in the Huancavelica region.

Travel to the country’s most festive destinations and take advantage of an exclusive discount to experience Carnivals in Peru with redBus. By purchasing through the app and entering the Carnivals promotional code, you get 10% instant discount + 10% cashback in your redBus wallet, allowing you to save up to 20% on bus tickets to celebrate in Cajamarca, Ayacucho, Puno, Huaraz, Huancayo, and Jauja.

How to use the discount on redBus?

Using the Carnivals discount on redBus is very easy:

• Download the redBus Peru app and register as a new user.
• Search for your route to the carnival destination you’re visiting.
• Choose the bus company, schedule, and select your seat.
• Enter the CARNAVALES promo code before paying.
• Complete your purchase in the app and receive the cashback in your redBus wallet.
  
  

Why travel by bus to the Carnivals with redBus?

Traveling by bus to the carnivals with redBus lets you enjoy the celebration from the very beginning—without stress or complications. You buy your tickets without lines or in-person procedures, compare prices and schedules in one place, and have the power to choose your bus and your seat for maximum comfort. Plus, you get exclusive discounts with a promo code, making redBus a practical, affordable, and safe option during one of the busiest travel seasons of the year.