Celebrating New Year in Cusco is one of the most memorable ways to start the year in Peru. On the night of 31 December, thousands of locals and travelers fill the Plaza de Armas, dressed in yellow, to hug, make wishes and run around the square at midnight. This guide explains how New Year in Cusco is celebrated, the local traditions and what they mean, where to spend the night, and practical tips for the weather, safety and booking.
New Year in Cusco at a glance
| Main celebration | Plaza de Armas, the night of 31 December |
| Lucky color | Yellow, worn for good luck and happiness |
| Best-known custom | Running laps around the Plaza de Armas at midnight |
| Weather | Rainy season; cool night, about 5–8 °C, with possible showers |
| Altitude | 3,400 m: go easy on alcohol |
| Book | Hotels, dinners and Machu Picchu tickets well in advance |
How New Year in Cusco is celebrated
In the evening, many families have a special dinner at home and then walk to the historic center. By 11 PM, the Plaza de Armas and the streets around it are packed with people from Cusco, other regions of Peru and all over the world. There is music, people sell yellow garlands, hats and glasses, and groups gather in front of the Cathedral and the Church of La Compañía.
At midnight, the bells ring, people count down, hug and toast with sparkling wine, and the crowd starts circling the square. The party continues in the plaza, in the bars and clubs of the center and in private parties until dawn.
New Year traditions in Cusco and their meaning
- Wearing yellow: yellow clothes, and especially yellow underwear, are believed to bring luck and happiness in the new year.
- Running around the Plaza de Armas: people run or walk laps around the square, sometimes carrying a suitcase, so that the new year brings travel.
- Twelve grapes: one grape for each stroke of midnight, with a wish for each month.
- Lentils, rice and coins: a handful of lentils in the pocket or a bowl of grains and coins at home for abundance and money.
- Cleaning the house: before 31 December, families clean and give away clothes and objects they no longer use, to leave the bad energy behind.
- Flowers, herbs and incense: yellow flowers, mint or rue and incense are placed at home to attract good energy.
- Breakfast “adobo”: on 1 January, many people eat adobo, a pork stew typical of Cusco and Arequipa, to recover after the party.
Cusco has a second new year, too: the Andean New Year, celebrated around the winter solstice on 21 June, close to Inti Raymi.
Where to spend New Year in Cusco
Plaza de Armas
The free, open celebration in the main square is the heart of New Year in Cusco. Arrive by 11 PM if you want to be close to the Cathedral at midnight.
Dinner in a restaurant
Many restaurants and hotels in the historic center offer special New Year’s Eve dinners with music and a toast, some with views of the plaza. Prices and programs change every year and seats sell out, so book in November or early December. See our list of the best restaurants in Cusco.
Bars, clubs and parties
Bars and clubs around the Plaza de Armas and Calle Plateros organize parties with tickets, usually including some drinks. Buy them in advance and keep your ticket with you.
The Sacred Valley
For a quieter night in nature, hotels in Urubamba, Pisac and Ollantaytambo hold New Year’s dinners and parties. The valley is lower and a little warmer than Cusco, and it is closer to Machu Picchu.
Before New Year: Christmas in Cusco
If you arrive earlier, don’t miss the Santurantikuy market on 24 December, when artisans fill the Plaza de Armas with nativity figures, ceramics and crafts. It is one of the oldest Christmas traditions in Cusco. Read more about the city’s festivals in our facts about Cusco.
Tips for New Year in Cusco
- Book early: late December is a peak period. Hotels, flights, trains and Machu Picchu tickets for the first days of January sell out. Read our guide to buying Machu Picchu tickets in advance.
- Dress for the weather: it is the rainy season. Bring a rain jacket, warm layers and comfortable shoes. Check the Machu Picchu weather if you continue there.
- Altitude and alcohol: at 3,400 m, alcohol affects you more. Drink water and read our tips on altitude sickness in Cusco.
- Keep your things safe: the plaza is very crowded. Carry only what you need, keep your phone in a front pocket and leave your passport at the hotel.
- Watch out for fireworks: keep a safe distance from people lighting fireworks in the crowd.
- Get back safely: agree on a meeting point with your group and use a taxi from a trusted company or app to return to your hotel.
- Plan a light 1 January: many shops and restaurants open late or close. Machu Picchu and most tours operate as usual.
Tours around New Year in Cusco
Make the most of your days before and after the party:
- Cusco City Tour (from USD 13): Qorikancha, the Cathedral and the Inca sites above the city.
- Sacred Valley Full Day: Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero.
- Machu Picchu Full Day Tour by Train: start the year at the citadel.
- Inca Trail 4 Days (from USD 740): open in December and January; closed in February.
For official information on events in the region, visit Peru.travel.
FAQs about New Year in Cusco
Where is the New Year celebration in Cusco?
In the Plaza de Armas, from about 11 PM on 31 December until the early hours of 1 January.
Why do people wear yellow on New Year in Cusco?
In Peru, yellow is the color of luck and happiness, so people wear yellow clothes and underwear to start the year well.
Why do people run around the Plaza de Armas?
Running laps around the square at midnight, sometimes with a suitcase, is believed to bring travel in the new year.
Is Machu Picchu open on 1 January?
Yes. Machu Picchu is open every day of the year, but tickets and trains for early January sell out, so book ahead.
Is it safe to celebrate New Year in Cusco?
Generally yes, with the usual precautions in crowds: watch your belongings, stay with your group and keep away from fireworks.
