Peru Public Holidays 2025
Peru has 12 public holidays and 0 observances in 2025. Explore the full holiday calendar below.
All Holidays
| Date | Day | Name | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan | Wed | New Year's Day | public |
| 17 Apr | Thu | Maundy Thursday | public |
| 18 Apr | Fri | Good Friday | public |
| 20 Apr | Sun | Easter Sunday | public |
| 1 May | Thu | Labour Day | public |
| 29 Jun | Sun | Saints Peter and Paul | public |
| 29 Jul | Tue | Independence Day | public |
| 30 Aug | Sat | Santa Rosa de Lima | public |
| 8 Oct | Wed | Battle of Angamos | public |
| 1 Nov | Sat | All Saints' Day | public |
| 8 Dec | Mon | Immaculate Conception | public |
| 25 Dec | Thu | Christmas Day | public |
About Peru's Holidays
Peru mixes national, public, and cultural holidays. Many are official days off, while others are big local celebrations. Both Catholic and indigenous traditions shape the calendar. Festivals feel vibrant with music, food, and dance.
Key national public holidays include New Year, Labour Day on May 1, Independence Days on July 28 and 29, and Christmas on December 25. Holy Week around Easter is widely observed and often treated as a public break for families and travel.
Cultural highlights go beyond national dates. The Señor de los Milagros procession in October and Andean festivals like Inti Raymi bring large crowds, colorful costumes, regional foods, and community rituals across Peru.
Holiday Traditions
In Peru people celebrate with strong family ties. Families gather to share meals, tell stories, and honor ancestors. Home altars and traditional songs often appear, and children join in with simple games or help prepare special dishes for everyone to enjoy.
Food is central and varies by region. Coastal areas serve ceviche while Andean households make hearty stews, tamales, and maize dishes. Sweet breads and local drinks appear during festivals. Sharing plates is a way to show love and community spirit.
Public celebrations are loud and joyful. Streets fill with music, colorful costumes, dancing, parades, and sometimes fireworks. Markets and plazas become meeting places where neighbors greet each other, trade food, and join collective rituals that blend indigenous and Spanish traditions.
Travel Tips
Visiting Peru during the holiday season means busy cities and lots of celebrations. December and early January are the busiest times for travelers. Expect crowds at popular sites and higher prices for flights and hotels.
Many banks, government offices and some shops close or have shorter hours on major holidays. Museums and cultural sites may also close on specific days. Tourist areas often keep restaurants and shops open, but always check hours in advance.
Flights and long distance buses fill up fast. City traffic gets worse and public transport is crowded. Book travel and accommodation early and leave extra time for transfers and delays.
Carry some cash because some places close card machines. Use trusted taxi apps, keep important documents safe, and check schedules before you go.