Puno was declared capital of Peruvian folklore because of its many distinct cultural events which came to be part of life throughout the years.
Festive calendar of the luscious town of Puno.
JANUARY
• 6 Three kings
• 18 Amantani island celebration of the ritual of Payment to the earth (Pacha Mama).
• 20 Celebration of Saint Sebastian
FEBRUARY
• 2-11 Celebration of the Virgin of the Candelaria in Puno and on the island of Taquile. Is also celebrated in other small populations, as the Candeleria is the Virgin of the High Plateau (Altiplano).
• Changeable carnivals (can take place in different towns), in the department, especially in the town of Puno and Acora.
MARCH
• Changeable Holy Week.
• 8 Puno, San Juan district. Celebration of St.John of God and panpipe dances.
MAY
• 2-4 Artisan celebration of the Alasitas in the town of Puno.
• 3 Celebration of the Crosses: Puno and other locations in the province. Celebration of St Isidro: Labrador, Capachica.
• 15-24 Acora, Capachica, celebration of the Holy Spirit.
JUNE
• 13 Capachica, Celebration of St Antonio.
• 24 Capachica, Puno. Celebration of St John. Inti Raymi.
• 29 Ichu, Acora. Celebration of St Pedro and St Pablo.
JULY
• 24-26 Taquile. Celebration of the Apostle Santiago.
• 28-29 Festival of the Homeland.
AUGUST
• 6. Capachica Celebration of baby Jesus of Praga.
SEPTEMBER
• 8 Chucuito. Celebration of the Virgin of Birth.
• 15. Acora. Celebration of the Birth of the Virgin.
• 24 Chucuito, Puno, Vilque. Celebration of the Virgin Mercedes.
• Last Sunday: re-enactment of Capac Ccolla in the Chullpas od Sillustani.
OCTOBER
• second Sunday, Acora. Celebration of the Virgin of the Rosary.
NOVEMBER
• 1. All Saints day, National celebration. Celebrations in the whole the department especially in Chucuito where they celebrate “the baptism”, festival of the “babies’ or “bread dolls”.
• 3-9. Retreat of Puno. One of the main episodes of the re-enactment, the fifth day, the exit of Manco Capac and Mama Ocilo from Lake Titicaca to the island of Esteves.
• 4. Birthday of the Spanish creation of the city of Puno.
• 4. Chucuito. Celebration of St Barbara.
• 13. Puno. Festival of St Lucia.
• 30. Puno, Chucuito. Celebration of the Apostle St Andres.
DECEMBER
• 4 Chucuito. Celebration of St Barbara. Celebration of the Alasitas.
• 6 Paucarcolla, Puno. Celebration of the Immaculate Conception.
• 26-28 Puno, celebration of Wawa kato miniatures.
• 25 Andina birth.
