The Fiesta de la Candelaria in Puno
The Candelaria is a religious and cultural festival in Puno. It combines religious and cultural elements from Catholic and Andean tradition, with dance, music and processions through the city. It takes place in February, with competitions in the days before. UNESCO has listed the Candelaria on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity since 2014.
The dates below are a preliminary program for 2027 published by a festival information site. Times and the venue are still to be confirmed through the official program, so check the current schedule before you book anything.
Candelaria 2027: preliminary dates
As listed in a festival calendar. Not a confirmed final program.
| Date | Event | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| January 30–31, 2027 | Danzas Originarias (competition) | Times and venue still to be confirmed. The calendar names the stadium of the Universidad Nacional del Altiplano |
| February 2, 2027 | Mass and procession | Time and route are not part of the calendar |
| February 7, 2027 | Trajes de Luces (competition) | Same venue named as for the first competition |
| February 8–9, 2027 | Gran Parada and Veneración | The procession and the veneration are separate program items |
Nothing here gives ticket prices, street closures or guaranteed seats. Those details come from the organizers closer to the date.
Tours around Puno
Boat trips to the Uros, Taquile and Amantani and day trips to Sillustani, to fill the days around the festival, with live prices and availability.
What you will see
The festival is a sequence of events, not a single parade. Competitions bring dance groups into a stadium. The Mass and procession on February 2 are religious events. The Gran Parada and the Veneración on February 8 and 9 are listed as separate days.
Expect dance and music in the streets and in the stadium. The festival has a religious side as well as a cultural one, so keep a respectful distance during the religious parts, and ask before you take close-up portraits of dancers or musicians.
Planning your visit
Stay, travel and weather in February.
Book your stay early
No reliable occupancy figure for 2027 is available, so plan early rather than the week before, especially if your dates are fixed around the procession or the parade. See where to stay for areas.
February is rainy season
The long-term monthly normals for Puno show about 149 mm of precipitation in February and 174 mm in January, compared with 3 mm in July. Bring a rain jacket, and expect cool nights, with average lows around 5 °C (41 °F). The weather page has the full table.
Travel plans
The Andean Explorer sleeper train does not run in February. The daytime train and the buses are covered on Cusco to Puno. Keep a buffer for road disruptions.
Altitude
Puno lies at about 3,800 m. General health advice is to take it easy in the first 48 hours and to avoid alcohol in that time. Read the altitude page and ask a doctor if you have a health condition.
Outside festival season
Puno is worth a visit at other times too.
The Candelaria is a seasonal event and not available all year. If you cannot be in Puno in February, the lake, the islands and the burial towers at Sillustani are not tied to the festival season, and the months from May to August are the driest in the monthly normals. For the full list, see things to do in Puno.
Plan the rest of your trip
Pages that go with a February trip.
Fiesta de la Candelaria: frequently asked questions
When is the Candelaria in Puno?
In February. A preliminary program for 2027 lists competitions on January 30–31 and February 7, the Mass and procession on February 2 and the Gran Parada and Veneración on February 8–9. Check the current schedule.
Is the Candelaria a UNESCO event?
UNESCO has listed it on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity since 2014. It is a cultural heritage listing, not an organizing role.
Where do the competitions take place?
The festival calendar names the stadium of the Universidad Nacional del Altiplano. Another source says the venue and times still need confirmation, so verify before you go.
How much do tickets cost?
No ticket prices are listed in the preliminary program. Ask the organizers or your hotel closer to the date.
Should I book my hotel early?
Yes, as a planning habit. No reliable figure for how full the city will be is available, so book as soon as your dates are set.