Cusco readies massive Inti Raymi 2026 festival, expects over 150,000 attendees

On June 24 2026, Cusco will host the annual Inti Raymi, the Inca “Festival of the Sun,” across its historic sites: the Qorikancha temple, the Plaza Mayor, and the Saqsayhuamán plaza. Organisers expect more than 150,000 domestic and foreign visitors; VIP seats for the Qorikancha and Saqsayhuamán venues sold out weeks in advance. The National Police, civil defence and health authorities have deployed a security cordon to manage crowd flow and vehicle access, while the event will be broadcast live by TV Perú and streamed online.

The celebration features traditional three‑act rituals, including the offering of chicha, a symbolic llama sacrifice and the “New Fire” ceremony. Parallel activities occur throughout the Andes, such as the Armay Tuta ritual bath in Otavalo’s Gruta del Socavón and a drone light show in Cusco that projected Inca motifs and a Machu Picchu silhouette. The festival, declared a national cultural heritage, underscores Peru’s indigenous heritage and draws significant tourism revenue every year.