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Published: 19-04-2022
As you have probably heard, people take their festivals very seriously in Latin America. These unique celebrations range from the sheer extravagance of Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival to the ancient Inca festival of Inti Raymi in the Peruvian Andes. Are you ready for an immersive experience like no other? Discover some of the biggest cultural celebrations from Mexico to Peru! Here are five different festivals in Latin America that will offer a truly unforgettable experience on your travels.
Inti raymi, Cusco
Day of the Dead in Mexico (Día de los Muertos)
Día de los Muertos is a fascinating blend of ancient ritual, Spanish culture and European religion. This energetic festival actually takes place in differing forms throughout Latin America, though it is most renowned with Mexico, where this traditional practice of celebrating the dead originated. Ancient Indigenous people like the Mayans, Aztecs and the Toltecs did not believe that death was the end of existence but instead believed death to be simply another chapter of life. The festival of Día de los Muertos combines this belief with the Christian holiday “All Saints Day”, culminating in a truly unique celebration. It is believed that during the Day of the Dead, the border between the real world and the spirit world is at its thinnest, allowing the souls of the dead to return to this world once more to feast, drink, and reunite briefly with their loved ones and families.
Day of the dead, Oaxaca
When to go and what to expect
Día de los Muertos is celebrated each year between the 31st of October and 2nd of November. While this coincides with Halloween and the two holidays do share some similarities you should not confuse the two. During the celebration, families treat the dead as honoured guests, leaving offerings such as their favourite food and drink at their grave or creating private altars at home, in memory of their loved ones. On the streets, you will see large figureheads of skulls and skeletons. During festivities, you will see people dressed up in vibrantly coloured outfits adorned with painted skull masks and eating skull-shaped sugar candy.
Day of the dead decorations
Practicalities
Each city or village will have its own celebrations, customs and ways of honouring the dead. If you truly want to see the Day of the Dead at its most authentic, you should visit Oaxaca, where the magnificent festival takes on a life of its own. Flower garlands decorate the streets, marching bands lead parades of giant-sized papier-mâché skeletons, extravagant decorations flood the doorways of homes, and fireworks summon the dead to the party.
Outside Oaxaca, Mexico City, also puts on an elaborate show and attracts many visitors. In the Yucatan, you’ll find that the locals celebrate “Hanal Pixán”, the Maya version of the Day of the Dead, where celebrations are also traditionally held in the streets and graveyards.
Skeletons!
Carnival — Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Carnival or “Carnaval” is one of the most famous festivals in the world. The festival is actually celebrated in over 50 countries worldwide, but the Rio Carnaval is probably the most famous. For a taste of some of the festivities you will want to head to the most popular tourist cities to see Carnival in full swing. Cities like New Orleans, Port of Spain in Trinidad and Tobago, Santa Cruz de Tenerife in Spain, and Mazatlán in Mexico throw some incredible parades. The Rio Carnival saw seven million revellers in the city in 2019 and with samba school parades giant floats, dancers in elaborate costumes, and impressive choreography.
Sambadrome
When to go and what to expect
Carnival begins on the Friday before Lent and ends on Ash Wednesday. The event is all about the massive, brightly coloured samba school parades, which take place in the Sambadrome, so you’ll want to secure your tickets ahead of time if you plan on catching these extravagant parades. If not, there are plenty of free street parties, known as “blocos”, during the celebration, with inviting music and dance to join in with!
Sambadrome, Rio
Practicalities
If you plan to travel to the Carnival celebrations in Rio de Janeiro, you will need the tickets to see the parade well in advance. Tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis, so it is important to decide from where to see the parade from and how much you would like to pay. Carnival also gives you the chance to explore other parts of the city to check out the best of Rio de Janeiro, such as the Christ the Redeemer and the Sugarloaf Mountain.
Carnaval float, Rio
Festival of the Sun, Cusco, Peru (Inti Raymi)
Peru is not just famous for Machu Picchu, rainbow mountains, delectable cuisine, and Lake Titicaca! The country also boasts unique cultural festivals that attract plenty of visitors each year. The most famous being Inti Raymi, the Festival of the Sun. Dating all the way back to Peru’s fascinating Inca Empire, Inti Raymi is a celebration close the winter solstice in tribute to the ancient Inca Sun God known as Inti. Historical records have traced back its origins to the year 1412, when the first Inti Raymi took place. In 1535, the Catholic Church and Spanish invaders prohibited the festival.
Inti Raymi, Saqsaywaman
When to go and what to expect
Inti Raymi is celebrated on the 24th of June to celebrate the beginning of the Inca New Year, during the southern hemisphere’s winter solstice. The festival occurs during the month of June which is traditionally filled with processions, dances, and music throughout the Cusco region. Before the festival, hundreds of actors, singers, and dancers from the former Inca Empire will gather in Cusco for the re-enactment of the Inti Raymi rituals. The coveted roles of the Sapa Inca and his consort Mama Oclla are carefully chosen to represent the Inca and his “Ñusta”.The ceremony commences at the Koricancha where the Sapa Inca will welcome the rising sun. The procession will then make its way through Cusco and up to the ruins of Sacsayhuaman where the main ceremony takes place. The ceremony culminates in the “sacrifice” of a single white llama, with its heart being presented to the Pachamama (Mother Earth).
Inti Raymi, Cusco
Practicalities
As Inti Raymi usually falls around the third week of June, it takes place in the Peruvian touristic high season. If you plan to see the main ceremony at Sacsayhuaman, you’ll find grandstand seating on sale which means booking well in advance. On your visit to Cusco, visit the impressive Inca sites or hike the Inca trail to see the magnificent ancient city of Machu Picchu, and visit the stunning Sacred valley also.
Head Inca at Saqsaywaman
Virgen de la Candelaria, Puno, Perú
Virgen de la Candelaria usually occurs during the first two weeks of February in Puno, South Peru. This colourful festival represents the culture, costumes, dance, and music, of the altiplano region and brings together the Catholic faith and Andean religions, paying homage to the Virgin of Candelaria. The virgen represents fertility and is strongly associated with the revered Andean goddess Pachamama. In 2014, UNESCO declared Peru’s Fiesta de la Candelaria as Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Virgen de la candelaria
When to go and what to expect
Fiesta de la Candelaria takes place around the beginning of February until the end of the second week of the month. Catholic and Andean traditions come together in masses, with a colourful procession of up to as many as 50,000 dancers and 15,000 musicians of the Aymara and Quechua ethnic groups, performing impressive choreographies and traditional costume.
Virgen de la candelaria
Practicalities
This event that attracts thousands of visitors each year, so plan your trip accordingly. Visiting Puno to see this grand festival provides a great opportunity for you to discover some of the other amazing sights such as Lake Titicaca and the Uros floating reed islands.
Virgen de la Candelaria
Feria de las Flores, Medellin, Colombia (Festival of Flowers)
The feria de las Flores is an impressive annual flower festival that blends a stunning explosion of colour, fresh flowers, and culture through the streets and parks of Medellin. The region of Antioquia, located in northwest Colombia is one of the largest producers of cut flowers in the world. Its perfect year-round climate, sunshine, regular rainfall, make the surrounding mountains overflow with a wide variety of blooms. With such a prolific flower industry, it’s no wonder Colombia hosts this grand flower festival every year. This event that has been part of Antioquia’s culture for over half a century, with its origins traced back to the small mountain town of Santa Elena.
Medellin Flower festival
When to go and what to expect
The flower festival takes place every year in late July and early August, when the parks and streets of Medellin burst with impressive floral displays and a number of other exciting events, including a parade of classic automobiles, a procession of Paso Fino horses, concerts, and of course, the silleteros (flower sellers) who parade their precious flower-filled carts around the street to show off their beautiful blooms.
Medellin flower festival
Practicalities
Every year before the festival, Medellin’s Town Hall will release a programme with the day-to-day events of the festival. Attempting to check out every event will be impossible so prioritise in advance.
