In Peru, there are significant climate differences caused by the coastal, Andean, and Amazonian topography, and traditional events have developed deeply connected to the regional climate and agricultural activities. Below, we explain the main seasonal events and climate characteristics by season.
Spring (March to May)
Climate Characteristics
- Coastal Area: The summer heat eases, and sea fog (garúa) is likely to occur in the morning and evening.
- Andean Highlands: Entering the latter part of the rainy season, thunderstorms and heavy rain become more frequent, especially in the afternoon.
- Amazon: There is a slight decrease from the peak of the rainy season, but humidity remains high.
Major Events and Culture
| Month |
Event |
Content and Relationship with Climate |
| March |
Carnival |
Colorful parades take place in various locations during breaks in the rainy season. The festival is lively even in rainy weather. |
| April |
Semana Santa (Holy Week) |
Held around Easter. In the Andes, religious parades take place with high dew points and morning fog. |
| May |
Labor Day (May 1) |
Parades and gatherings occur in various places. It is often celebrated under strong sunlight at the end of the rainy season. |
Summer (June to August)
Climate Characteristics
- Coastal Area: A harsh winter dry season prevails, characterized by clear skies, but the wind is cold and dry.
- Andean Highlands: The peak of the dry season features sunny days, while nights become chilly.
- Amazon: Entering the dry season, precipitation begins to decrease, and sunlight hours increase.
Major Events and Culture
| Month |
Event |
Content and Relationship with Climate |
| June |
Corpus Christi (Corpus Fest) |
Large parades take place in Cusco and Puno. Religious rituals are highlighted under clear blue skies. |
| June 24th |
Inti Raymi (Festival of the Sun) |
A ceremony honoring the Inca sun god held in the Andean highlands during the dry season's significant temperature differences. |
| July |
Independence Day (July 28-29) |
Nationwide celebrations. Fireworks and military parades are held in the dry coastal and highland areas. |
| August |
Lima's Saint Rose Festival (August 30) |
Celebrating the patron saint of Lima. During the end of the dry season, religious parades and markets are held throughout the city under continuous clear skies. |
Autumn (September to November)
Climate Characteristics
- Coastal Area: The mild dry season of summer continues, and temperatures are warm during the day.
- Andean Highlands: The end of the dry season sees almost no precipitation, and the air becomes extremely dry.
- Amazon: Transitioning from the dry season to the rainy season, rainfall gradually increases.
Major Events and Culture
| Month |
Event |
Content and Relationship with Climate |
| October |
Miracles Procession (Señor de los Milagros) |
A large religious procession in Lima. Under dry, sunny weather, purple costumes stand out. |
| November |
All Saints' Day (Todos los Santos) |
Families visit graves. In the Andean highlands, colder days increase, and early morning frost may be observed. |
Winter (December to February)
Climate Characteristics
- Coastal Area: With the arrival of summer, temperatures rise to around 25°C, transitioning from dryness to increased humidity.
- Andean Highlands: The beginning of the rainy season leads to frequent afternoon showers.
- Amazon: Entering the full rainy season increases the risk of flooding.
Major Events and Culture
| Month |
Event |
Content and Relationship with Climate |
| December |
Christmas and Year-End Activities |
Celebrated in various events from beach activities along the coast to cold events in the highland, spanning the gap between the end of the dry season and the beginning of the rainy season. |
| January |
New Year (January 1) |
Nationwide fireworks and concerts. Celebrations in the Andean highlands take place while being wary of afternoon rain. |
| February |
Puno's Candelaria Festival (early to mid-February) |
A large-scale parade of music and dance takes place in dry climate before the beginning of the Amazon rainy season. |
| February |
Carnival (dates may vary by region) |
Water sprinkling and parades are held in line with the start of the rainy season, and the humid climate enhances the festivities. |
Summary of Seasonal Events and Climate
| Season |
Climate Characteristics |
Major Event Examples |
| Spring |
Heavy rain at the end of the rainy season and sea fog |
Carnival, Semana Santa, Labor Day |
| Summer |
Dry season in the highlands and cold, dry coastal weather |
Inti Raymi, Independence Day, Lima's Saint Rose Festival |
| Autumn |
End of the dry season and dry sunny weather |
Miracles Procession, All Saints' Day |
| Winter |
Early rainy season thunderstorms and high humidity |
Christmas, New Year, Puno's Candelaria Festival, Carnival |
Additional Notes
- The diverse climate variations across regions due to altitude are reflected in cultural events.
- Agricultural calendars and indigenous religious festivities are set according to the rainy and dry seasons.
- The coastal areas, highlands, and tropical rainforests experience significantly different climates even in the same month.
Peru's diverse climate and traditional events are closely interconnected, allowing one to enjoy the culture while experiencing the changing seasons.
Patchy rain possible