Summer’s on its last stretch, but in many travel hotspots, the action is still in full bloom. In Lima, activities are still lined up for the better part of the year, from festivals to public shows to beach and sporting events. If you’re looking to visit the Peruvian capital this fall and winter, here are some things you can look forward to.
From September to November, locals gather at the Afueras de Lima for the country’s largest equestrian event. The Concurso Departamental del Caballo Peruano de Paso showcases the Peruvian Paso, a native horse breed considered a Cultural Heritage by authorities.
In between, religious festivals abound, most of them during the first weeks of October. The Virgin of the Rosary Festival takes place on the first Sunday of the month, marked by large crowds at the scenic Santo Domingo Monastery. Later in the month, you can catch the Feria Taurina del Señor de los Milagros, a bullfighting event that has taken place yearly since the 1940s. The feast also features a procession that weaves through the city, taking off at the Church of Las Nazarenas. The El Señor Luren is a month-long pilgrimage in Ica, a nearby city, and is also worth checking out if you’re up for a road trip.
The church-centric events continue into November, starting with the San martin de Porres Festival. Like other Hispanophone countries, Peru also celebrates All Saints Day on November 1st, which is a national holiday. This is followed by All Souls Day (Day of the Dead), where locals flock to cemeteries to pay tribute to deceased friends and family members. It sounds morbid, but it’s actually a friendly festivity and a great way to understand the local culture.
December is no doubt the most festive month, as Christmas celebrations tend to start early. Throughout the month and even well into January, Christmas events dot the city and its environs, from the Feast of the Immaculate Conception to the Battle of Ayacucho reenactments just a week shy of Christmas. Expect to see lots of live music, dancing, and happy crowds exchanging greetings and reveling in their own culture. It’s also a great time to enjoy the local cuisine, as restaurants often offer up their best fare around this time. If you stay until mid-January, you may also be able to catch the Three Wise Men festival, a more quiet but equally entertaining event that caps of the holiday season.