THE 5 MOST POPULAR AREQUIPA FESTIVALS - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The parties Arequipa are characterized by quaint, full of spirit and warmth. Arequipa is one of the most visited departments in Peru, so they always have at least one party or cultural celebration a month planned on their calendar, to keep alive the atmosphere of festivity and tradition.

Arequipa has a great cultural tradition, despite all the historical events and the rapidity of modernity, they have managed to preserve the essence of their festivities.

It is also interesting to know that the festivals in the department of Arequipa include dances, dances, traditional orchestras and also typical food.

Its best known parties are:

Holy Week

In the town of Paucarpata in the department of Arequipa, Holy Week is celebrated in a very particular way. The religious fervor and tradition make this celebration unique in the country.

After passing this week, the inhabitants of the town of Arequipa offer tastings of cakes and typical sweets.

It ends with the burning of Judas the Traitor, where they also throw bags with 30 coins into the air and finally a fireworks display.

Feast of the Virgin of Chapi

This is a religious holiday. It is celebrated from May 1, extending until May 3 of every year. It is a celebration that attracts many devoted people from all over the country.

The feast of the Virgin of Chapi began approximately three centuries ago, originated by the settlers of the colony.

It is a very important party for Arequipa, since they receive dozens of parishioners who make promises and visit it annually, making large processions.

In the evenings, the party is lit with fireworks castles and the villagers offer traditional food.

Anniversary of the Spanish Foundation of the city of Arequipa

The anniversary of the Arequipa department is a huge traditional celebration, which is commemorated every August 15th.

In this festival a series of civic-religious activities take place, parades of carts, sports shows, cultural dances, they also organize festivals and handicraft exhibitions.

In addition to this, the Arequipans have a traditional custom called "bullfights", an activity of utmost importance for the Arequipa people.

This fight takes place in the arena, where foreign fans and visitors gather to watch the best bulls fight.

Celebrations of the buses and marzipan for the day of the saints

This celebration comes to life on November 1 of each year. It is based on the production of guaguas, which in the Quechua language means "baby."

The guaguas de pan are the protagonists in the celebration of the Saints' Day and carry with them a series of rituals.

These guaguas are made of bread, originally with the figure of babies (although currently the bakers make it with different figures) in order to please all the fair of Arequipa consumers, the guaguas in turn fill them with delicacy and raisins and They are decorated with a plaster mask.

Feast of the Immaculate Conception

It is a religious festival that has a very peculiar form of celebration in Arequipa. It all started when some Spanish soldiers carried the first statue of the Immaculate in the 18th century at the request of the inhabitants of the region.

The feast of the Immaculate Conception is celebrated on December 8. It begins with a mass, then the image goes out in procession accompanied by devotees.

At the end of the tour, different events are held where the cockfight and the bullfight stand out. They also share Creole dishes.

References

1. Arequipa, n. N. (2001). Almanac of Arequipa. Arequipa: National Institute of Statistics and Informatics.
2. Bayarri, VN (1987). Colonial Arequipa and the sources of its history: critical study. Aserpress.
3. Lozada, HB (2007). Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Lima: Editorial Fund of the Arequipa Bar Association.
4. Quispe, LW (2009). Holy Week in Arequipa and associated festivities. District Municipality of Villa Hermosa de Yanahuara.
5. Vera, MZ (1965). Arequipa: spirit and matter; folkloric prints. The University of California.