Christmas in Peru
Peruvian Christmas blends Catholic tradition with Indigenous Andean customs. The celebrations peak on Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) with a late dinner of turkey or lechon, paneton, and hot chocolate. In Cusco, the Santuranticuy market fills the Plaza de Armas with handcrafted nativity figures and Andean art.
Christmas in Peru sits at the intersection of Spanish Catholicism and Andean indigenous culture. The result is a holiday where paneton (Italian panettone, adopted with enthusiasm) shares the table with hot chocolate made from world-class Peruvian cacao, and nativity figures wear Quechua clothing. The peak is Cusco's Santuranticuy market on Christmas Eve, where artisans sell hand-carved nativities in the shadow of the Inca-built walls that still line the Plaza de Armas.
Nochebuena: The Late Feast
Peruvian Christmas Eve dinner starts late. Families gather at 10 or 11 PM for turkey, lechon (roast pork), or pollo a la brasa (rotisserie chicken), accompanied by tamales and arroz con leche. Paneton, the Italian panettone that Peru has adopted as its own Christmas bread, is served with hot chocolate. Peru consumes more paneton per capita than any country outside Italy and Brazil, and the brands compete fiercely for market share each December.
Santuranticuy: Art and Faith in Cusco
On December 24, Cusco's Plaza de Armas fills with the Santuranticuy ('Saints for Sale') market. Artisans from across the Andes sell hand-carved nativity figures, Nino Manuelito statues dressed in regional costumes, and religious art that blends Catholic and Quechua iconography. The market has been held since the colonial era and is one of the most distinctive Christmas traditions in South America.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do Peruvians eat at Christmas?
The traditional Nochebuena meal includes turkey or lechon, tamales, paneton (panettone), and hot chocolate. The meal is served late on Christmas Eve. Peru is one of the world's largest consumers of panettone.
What is Santuranticuy?
An annual Christmas market in Cusco's Plaza de Armas where artisans sell hand-carved nativity figures and Andean art. The name means 'Saints for Sale' in Quechua. The market dates to the colonial era.
Traditions & Customs
Santuranticuy (Cusco)
The annual Christmas market in Cusco's Plaza de Armas sells handcrafted nativity figures, Nino Manuelito statues, and Andean art. The market dates to the colonial era and blends Catholic iconography with Quechua artistic traditions.
Nochebuena Dinner
Families gather for a late dinner featuring turkey or lechon (roast pork), tamales, paneton (panettone, widely adopted from Italian tradition), and hot chocolate. The meal starts at 10-11 PM and continues past midnight.
Chocolate Caliente
Hot chocolate made with Peruvian cacao is the traditional Christmas drink, served with paneton for dunking. Peru is one of the world's top cacao producers, and the quality shows.
Nino Manuelito
Peruvians display figurines of the Baby Jesus (Nino Manuelito) dressed in elaborate regional costumes. Different regions have their own versions, often reflecting Andean clothing and traditions.
Christmas Markets
Santuranticuy Market
Cusco's famous Christmas Eve market in the Plaza de Armas. Artisans sell hand-carved nativity figures and Andean crafts.
Key Dates
Nochebuena
The main celebration. Late dinner and Midnight Mass.
Navidad
Public holiday. Family visits continue.
Christmas Carols
Silent Night
Noche de PazSung in Spanish at churches across Peru.
Huayno Christmas Songs
In the Andes, traditional huayno music is adapted for Christmas, blending Quechua melodies with Christian themes.