Celebrate Peru’s Fiestas Patrias in Lima

Peru’s Fiestas Patrias commemorate its proclamation of independence each July 28^th and honors its Armed Forces and National Police each July 29^th. Most Peruvians take advantage of the holiday to travel domestically, attending concerts or dance shows celebrating Peruvian folklore, or spend independence day with their families enjoying traditional dishes. Here, we’ve compiled the details on the holiday’s biggest events for you:

If you’re lucky enough to be visiting Lima during the week of Fiestas Patrias, there’ll be lots of activity to keep you busy. At Kennedy Park in central Miraflores, art fairs and exhibitions take place all week, and the city’s museums offer free entry or discounts throughout the long weekend.

The most lively event during Fiestas Patrias is the Gran Corso Wong. Large floats, costumed performers, dancers, beauty queens, classic cars, and long chinese dragons and lions stretch for several blocks in a colorful spectacle that moves throughout downtown Lima, circles Kennedy Park in Miraflores, and enters Barranco. Parque Kennedy is the most convenient spot for most travelers (who tend to stay in hostels and hotels in this neighborhood), while the city center is the most popular spot from which to watch, and Barranco is the least crowded. This year, the Gran Corso parade will take place on July 20^th; it will begin at 2:30pm along Av 28 de Julio and will end at 7:30pm along the Bajada Balta. In Kennedy Park, the night will end with a show of fireworks, laser lights, and music.

As Pisco Day falls on the 27^th this year, you can visit Lima’s main square during the daytime for a free drink from the historic fountain, whose water is replaced with 2,000 liters of Pisco for the occasion. There’s usually a Peruvian Paso Horse show as well. At midnight, there’ll be a fireworks display. Also on the 27^th, the Lima Salutes the Nation concert at Parque de la Muralla will present bands and dancers ranging from Afro-Peruvian criollo artists and Marinera dancers to Latin rock groups. The event is free and festive.

On the 28^th, President Ollanta Humala will address congress regarding the state of the nation. If you want to start the day like a local, opt for a delicious tamal or a chicharrón (fried pork) sandwich. Afterwards, simply enjoy the festive atmosphere in the streets, all lined with ubiquitous red and white flags. Plan ahead, as some shops and banks will only open until noon, while other won’t open at all.

The Military Parade takes place on the 29^th and causes a general hubbub around the city center, although it doesn’t compare with the Gran Corso Wong.

It’s worth it to work up the courage to sample anticuchos- these marinated beef heart kabobs are one of Peru’s most delicious treats, and as more anticuchos are consumed in July than during any other part of the year, they’re the traditional choice. There’s a national food fair which takes place all week as well, offering dishes from the Amazon, the Andes, and the coastal desert.