Peru Public Holidays: A Traveler's Guide for 2025

In order to visit Peru, all you have to do is book your flights and pack your bags—except, you may wish to familiarize yourself with Peru’s public holidays. This is because holidays could significantly enhance your Peruvian travel experience. While Peruvian public holidays are less likely to detract from your enjoyment during visits to popular sightseeing areas, you will find them to be more crowded and with less available service. Fully booked transportation during holidays could make your trip a bit frustrating.

With Inka Challenge Peru, you will have a magical experience in Peru. This guide outlines which public holidays in Peru in 2025 may help you plan your trip.

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Peru National Holidays Calendar 2025

Here is a complete list of the official public holidays in Peru for 2025. Government offices, banks, and many shops will be closed on these days.

Date

Day

Holiday Name

Significance

Jan 1

Wednesday

New Year’s Day

Celebrates the first day of the new year.

Apr 17

Thursday

Maundy Thursday

Commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ; part of Easter.

Apr 18

Friday

Good Friday

Observes the crucifixion of Jesus Christ; a solemn day.

May 1

Thursday

Labor Day

Honors the achievements of workers.

Jun 7

Saturday

Battle of Arica / Flag Day

Honors military history and the Peruvian flag.

Jun 29

Sunday

Feast of Saints Peter and Paul

A traditional Christian feast day.

Jul 28

Monday

Independence Day

Celebrates Peru’s declaration of independence from Spain in 1821.

Jul 29

Tuesday

Independence Day Holiday

The second day of Fiestas Patrias celebrations.

Aug 30

Saturday

Santa Rosa de Lima

Honors the patron saint of Peru and the Americas.

Oct 8

Wednesday

Battle of Angamos

Commemorates a key naval battle of the War of the Pacific (1879).

Nov 1

Saturday

All Saints’ Day

A day to commemorate all Christian saints.

Dec 8

Monday

Immaculate Conception

Celebrates the belief that Mary was conceived without original sin.

Dec 25

Thursday

Christmas Day

Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.

Note: This list focuses on nationwide holidays. Some dates, like the Battle of Junín (Aug 6) and Battle of Ayacucho (Dec 9), are also observed holidays .

What These Holidays Mean for Your Trip

Long Weekends & “Puentes”: Peruvians are passionate about traveling during extended weekends, which are called puentes (bridges) in Spanish whenever a holiday occurs close to a weekend. Peruvians also take advantage of these holidays to visit popular sightseeing destinations, so be prepared for large crowds. This is also great for witnessing local festivities. This is a great holiday to take a trip to Peru, but be sure to take care of bookings quite a bit in advance during these times.

Major Festive Periods to Note:

  • Holy Week (Semana Santa): The week before Easter, particularly Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, is marked by lovely solemn religious processions across the country, especially in Cusco and Ayacucho. This is a magical cultural experience and it is important to be aware that some places may have modified hours.
  • Fiestas Patrias (Independence Days): The celebrations held on July 28th and 29th are Peru’s most significant national holidays. You will see parades and flag-waving parties everywhere with a real sense of national pride. This is a peak travel period in Peru and one will need to be aware of that.
  • Inti Raymi (June 24): While it is not a public holiday that will create widespread closures, the Festival of the Sun celebrated in Cusco, is a significant event. The city fills to capacity for this amazing Inka-time re-creation. If you plan to attend this is an event that one must plan for and book several months in advance.

Practical Travel Tips:

  • Expect Closures: On national holidays, you will encounter closures at banks, governmental offices, and many smaller local shops. Museums and archaeological locations may have holiday hours and offer activities as well.
  • Enjoy the Holiday: Don’t avoid a holiday! The holidays are a unique opportunity to see Peruvian culture at its finest! Ask your tour guide about all the events happening in the area appropriate for travelers.
  • Book Early: This cannot be over stated, especially for transport. In addition, book early for popular hotels during holiday periods; leave nothing to chance!
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Your Adventure, Perfectly Timed

Familiarizing yourself with the holiday calendar is the last piece of the puzzle for a perfectly arranged trip to Peru. Holidays add more deliciousness to the culture, and having a bit of foresight helps enormously in preserving the flow of your travels.

Let Inka Challenge Peru take you through a perfect excursion! We are local professionals who are well-informed and informed to help you come up with an itinerary that will keep your group enthralled in holiday spirit, or covertly detour around the busiest time during your trip, to ensure the trip is everything you imagined.

Contact us today to begin planning your Peru journey.

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