If you visit Cusco in December, you quickly realize that Christmas here isn’t copied from Europe or the U.S. It has its own rhythm, its own symbols and a cultural weight that comes from mixing Catholic tradition with the Andean worldview. The result is a season that feels familiar, with lights, Nativity scenes and community gatherings. An expression of local beliefs, artisan work and the everyday life of Cusqueños.
December becomes a month where the city slows down, gets louder and turns more communal. Churches prepare their Nativity scenes, families pull out their Niño Manuelito figures and artisans from across the region start arriving. The celebration is Catholic in its origin, but every detail from the llamas in the Nativity displays to the Quechua hymns at midnight mass, reminds you that this is an Andean Christmas.
How Cusco Celebrates: The Traditions That Shape December
Santurantikuy
The biggest event of the month is Santurantikuy, the Christmas fair that takes over the Plaza de Armas every December 24. Artisans arrive from villages hours away, carrying wooden saints, ceramic animals, candles, moss, miniature tools and of course, dozens of versions of the Niño Manuelito. The fair is crowded, chaotic and completely authentic. If you want to understand how Cusco experiences Christmas, this is the best place.
The Niño Manuelito
The Niño Manuelito is one of the strongest expressions of local devotion. You’ll see families buying new figurines, repairing old ones or taking them to be blessed on December 25. Many versions are unmistakably Andean: rosy cheeks, traditional outfits or tiny slingshots. It’s a symbol of faith, but also identity.
Misa de Gallo: Midnight in the Cathedral
At midnight on December 24, Cusco Cathedral fills for the Misa de Gallo. Even if you don’t attend, you’ll feel it. The plaza goes quiet for a moment before the doors open and people spill out into the cold night. The mass blends Catholic liturgy with Andean expression, including Quechua-language hymns in several parishes around the city.
Encendido de Luces
Around early-December, the city turns on its Christmas lights. The Plaza de Armas lights up, the municipal tree goes on and the historic center looks different for the rest of the month. If you’re already in Cusco by then, it’s worth being in the plaza at sunset.
Chocolatadas
All month long, you’ll hear about chocolatadas. These are simple gatherings where hot chocolate and panetón are shared, usually with kids. You might run into one at a school, a parish or even in a neighborhood plaza. They’re not a tourist event, but they’re one of the purest expressions of the season.
Nativity Scenes Across the City
Cusco takes Nativity scenes seriously (Nacimientos). Churches, hotels and homes build their own, often including Andean animals, terraces, native plants and miniature representations of rural life. The biggest displays are in the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral, San Francisco and La Compañía.
Christmas Timeline in Cusco (At a Glance)
| Date | What Happens |
| Dec 1–10 | City installs lights; Nativity scenes begin appearing; first chocolatadas. |
| Dec 8 | Religious activities increase around local parishes. |
| Dec 10–20 | Daily chocolatadas; artisan production in San Blas; markets sell Nativity materials. |
| Early-Dec | Encendido de Luces in the Plaza de Armas. |
| Dec 20–23 | Arrival of rural artisans; crowds grow in the city center. |
| Dec 24 (All Day) | Santurantikuy Fair in Plaza de Armas. |
| Dec 24 (Midnight) | Misa de Gallo at the Cathedral. |
| Dec 25 | Blessing of Niño Manuelito; family gatherings. |
| Dec 26–31 | Public Nativity scenes remain on display. |
| Jan 6 | Bajada de Reyes—closing of the season. |
What Makes an Andean Christmas Different
Christmas in Cusco feels different because it reflects the fusion that defines the Andes: Catholic tradition layered over older beliefs, and a community-driven spirit that shapes how the city lives its celebrations. It’s about artisans working through the night, families preparing their Nativity scenes and entire neighborhoods gathering for a simple chocolatada.
If you visit Cusco in December, you will see how a city blends its history, identity and spirituality into a single celebration. And for many travelers, that mix becomes one of the most memorable parts of visiting Cusco during this season.
