×

Peru🇵🇪 | festivalsSanturantikuyChristmas Eve market, Niño Manuelito, hand-painted ceramics, nativity stalls | things to do and best time to go

Explore Festival de la PrimaveraExplore Festival de la Pachamama

Backpacking in Santurantikuy
👌 Worth visitingfestival ranked #13
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 20, 2026

Santurantikuy is not a single-day Christmas Eve market only for tourists; locals buy and bless their own figurines there every December 24. It fills the Plaza de Armas in Cusco, Peru, with hundreds of stalls selling handmade saints, nativity pieces and mountain-sized loaves of bread. Expect carolers, hot drinks and shoulder-to-shoulder browsing from morning until late night. I expected sacred hush and found haggling, laughter and grandmothers testing clay Jesus figures like melons. Unlike the Pisac Sunday market, which sells to visitors all year, Santurantikuy is a once-a-year local ritual.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Peru Travel Guide.


example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Peru
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Peru
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Peru
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Peru
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Peru
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Peru
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Peru
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Peru
Loading the map 🌍
CLICK TO FILTER
cities
towns
villages
landmarks
national parks
hikes
beaches
attractions
festivals
regions
SHOW COUNTRY’S BESTSHOW ALL

✨ Why go?
Ranked #13 festival in PeruThe unique appeal for travelers

Santurantikuy is the rare festival where you join Cusco families rather than watch them. Backpackers route around it because Christmas Eve in the Andes is a market, not a quiet night in a hostel: you arrive hungry, buy a small Niño Manuelito figurine from a maker who carved or painted it, and leave with something that cost little and carries a story. Prices stay friendly compared with the polished craft shops around the square, and bargaining is expected. It also fits neatly into a longer Peru loop, since Cusco is the hub before or after Machu Picchu. Stay a few days and you can also chase Plaza de Armas lights, church bells and midnight fireworks with other travelers who found the same plan.

💡 HighlightsMust-see experiences and standout moments

  1. Plaza de Armas stalls: The main event. Rows of artisans from the surrounding valleys set up under the arcades and in the square, selling hand-painted ceramics, wood carvings and nativity scenes.
  2. Niño Manuelito figurines: Cusco’s version of the baby Jesus, often dressed in Andean cloth and hats. Families buy one to bless at Mass and display at home.
  3. Cusco Cathedral: The big colonial church on the square hosts Christmas Eve services and houses the famous Cusco School paintings. Entry has a ticket fee, so check hours before you go.
  4. Handmade bread and sweets: Vendors sell large decorated breads, hot chocolate and local snacks. They make good fuel for a long evening of browsing.
  5. Carols and street music: Brass bands, choirs and folk groups drift through the plaza, turning shopping into a loose, noisy
… read more 👉
  1. Plaza de Armas stalls: The main event. Rows of artisans from the surrounding valleys set up under the arcades and in the square, selling hand-painted ceramics, wood carvings and nativity scenes.
  2. Niño Manuelito figurines: Cusco’s version of the baby Jesus, often dressed in Andean cloth and hats. Families buy one to bless at Mass and display at home.
  3. Cusco Cathedral: The big colonial church on the square hosts Christmas Eve services and houses the famous Cusco School paintings. Entry has a ticket fee, so check hours before you go.
  4. Handmade bread and sweets: Vendors sell large decorated breads, hot chocolate and local snacks. They make good fuel for a long evening of browsing.
  5. Carols and street music: Brass bands, choirs and folk groups drift through the plaza, turning shopping into a loose, noisy celebration.
Pair the stalls with the cathedral in one afternoon, then finish with hot chocolate as the lights come on.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do around Santurantikuy

Anthropologist-Led Horseback: Moon Temple & Mysticism (Max 5)

Anthropologist-Led Horseback: Moon Temple & Mysticism (Max 5)

5.0(202) 4h
From €56
per personViator
Food and Culture Full day Tour in the Sacred Valley

Food and Culture Full day Tour in the Sacred Valley

5.0(182) 10h
From €250
per personViator
4-Day Inca Jungle Trek to Machu Picchu: Biking, Rafting & Zipline

4-Day Inca Jungle Trek to Machu Picchu: Biking, Rafting & Zipline

5.0(150) 96h
From €389
per personViator
The Textile Workshop Experience in Cusco Region

The Textile Workshop Experience in Cusco Region

5.0(145) 4h
From €72
per personViator
Half Day Private Tour Machu Picchu Cusco Peru

Half Day Private Tour Machu Picchu Cusco Peru

5.0(138) 14h
From €181
per personViator
4-Day Machu Picchu , Sacred Valley and Cusco-Private Guided Tour

4-Day Machu Picchu , Sacred Valley and Cusco-Private Guided Tour

5.0(137) 96h
From €1,243
per personViator
Machu Picchu Full Day Tour

Machu Picchu Full Day Tour

5.0(133)
From €354
per personViator
Machupicchu and Cusco Tour 7 days

Machupicchu and Cusco Tour 7 days

5.0(110) 168h
From €1,405
per personViator
Short Inca trail to MachuPicchu || 2days - 1nigth ||

Short Inca trail to MachuPicchu || 2days - 1nigth ||

5.0(106) 48h
From €449
per personViator
Sacred Valley Textile Workshop – Dyeing & Weaving in Cusco

Sacred Valley Textile Workshop – Dyeing & Weaving in Cusco

5.0(100) 8h
From €135
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?When is the celebration of Santurantikuy?

Santurantikuy is held every year around December 24 in Cusco’s Plaza de Armas, with stalls opening from early morning.
  • Best part of the day: Arrive by 9 or 10 a.m. when the stalls are fully set up and carvers and families are still fresh, because by mid-afternoon the aisles clog.
  • Weather: Expect rainy-season conditions, with daytime highs of 17 to 20°C (63 to 68°F), nights near 3 to 5°C (37 to 41°F) and frequent afternoon showers. Bring a rain jacket, a warm layer and sun protection for the thin air at 3,400 m.
  • Booking: Entry is free, but beds in the center fill up and prices climb around 30 to 60 percent, so reserve a few weeks ahead.
  • Getting around: Traffic around the center stalls early, so walk in from your lodging, and leave the city by bus or train the next day, since December 25 services
… read more 👉
Santurantikuy is held every year around December 24 in Cusco’s Plaza de Armas, with stalls opening from early morning.
  • Best part of the day: Arrive by 9 or 10 a.m. when the stalls are fully set up and carvers and families are still fresh, because by mid-afternoon the aisles clog.
  • Weather: Expect rainy-season conditions, with daytime highs of 17 to 20°C (63 to 68°F), nights near 3 to 5°C (37 to 41°F) and frequent afternoon showers. Bring a rain jacket, a warm layer and sun protection for the thin air at 3,400 m.
  • Booking: Entry is free, but beds in the center fill up and prices climb around 30 to 60 percent, so reserve a few weeks ahead.
  • Getting around: Traffic around the center stalls early, so walk in from your lodging, and leave the city by bus or train the next day, since December 25 services run thin.
Buy your figurines before noon, when the best pieces are still on the tables.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: not recommended for travelingFEBFebruary: not recommended for travelingMARMarch: not recommended for travelingAPRApril: not recommended for travelingMAYMay: not recommended for travelingJUNJune: not recommended for travelingJULJuly: not recommended for travelingAUGAugust: not recommended for travelingSEPSeptember: not recommended for travelingOCTOctober: not recommended for travelingNOVNovember: not recommended for travelingDECDecember: excellent for traveling

✈️ The backpacker research shortcutPeru Travel Guide

An offline-friendly backpacking guide with optimized travel routes, ranked highlights, transport advice, and the best areas to stay.
example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Peru
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Peru
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Peru
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Peru
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Peru
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Peru
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Peru
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Peru
The digital guide (310 pages) contains:
✅ 102 highlights, ranked by travel appeal
✅ Optimized 7, 14 & 21-day travel routes
✅ Cities, national parks, landmarks, beaches
✅ How to get around
✅ Offline-friendly for travel without Wi-Fi
👉 Click to see all 30+ guide features

📅 Plan smarter in minutes, not weeks
✅ Month by month travel advice
✅ Festivals & national holidays
✅ Budget expectations

🗺️ Go to the right places, skip the overrated ones
✅ Honest pros & cons of destinations
✅ Top hikes, parks & viewpoints
✅ Lesser-known places most travelers miss
✅ Clear “worth it vs skip it” guidance

🛏️ Travel smoothly without rookie mistakes
✅ Best areas to stay
✅ Transport systems explained simply
✅ Common scams & safety advice
✅ SIM cards, money & practical tips

🌍 Understand the country, not just visit it
✅ Culture & traditions
✅ 52 Essential phrases & customs
✅ Festivals worth planning around
✅ Traveler-friendly historical context
✅ Insights that make places more meaningful

📱 Built for real travel conditions
✅ Fully downloadable PDF
✅ Works completely offline
✅ Optimized for phone use
✅ Useful in remote areas & buses
✅ Everything in one place
Stop searching, start planning
Get instant access to your full guide. 30‑day money-back guarantee.
+ Add another guide for just

By proceeding you agree to our terms.
Sent to your inbox immediately after payment • 100% Secure Checkout
Best Backpacking Travel Advisor 2025 tourism awardBest Backpacking
Travel Advisor
2025
What others say about Take Your Backpack Guides:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fantastic, amazing amount of information!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
My goodness this is amazing, it's what I've been looking for hats off too you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I think this is absolutely BRILLIANT
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Very complete and informative. It's still missing places, but I gotta to commend you
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is truly amazing, thank you, can't wait to explore it with my kids!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Awesome resource, thank you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is amazing! Can't wait to explore the ones I haven't seen
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I love this! Well done, great idea.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thanks for taking the time to make this gem!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This might be the best website I've ever seen.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Congratulations, and thank you so much for your work; it's incredibly valuable.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
In all seriousness I think you did a great job pointing out the important spots
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
10/10 very good
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
As someone who's only just starting to visit regularly this is awesome, thank you.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you very much! I'm going to visit my dad, it's going to be very useful!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is really cool! We'll be travelling for the first time and this definitely come in handy.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
You are now our minister of culture, congratulations 👨‍💼
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Just wanted to tell you that this is a pearl! Going to follow your recommendations.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is so cool. I'll definitely be using the resource for my travels soon.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is very impressive! Good work.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is an amazing and informative site. Very well done!

🛏️ Where to stay?Where staying makes the most sense

San Blas is the best base for backpackers, a steep ten-minute walk uphill from the Plaza de Armas where Santurantikuy takes place. Its cobbled lanes hold the highest concentration of social hostels, small cafes and artisan workshops, so you meet other solo travelers easily over breakfast or at rooftop bars.

The streets around Plaza de Armas itself put you in the middle of the market, and the lanes toward Calle Procuradores are packed with hostels and tour offices. It is lively late at night and louder than other areas, so pack earplugs.

San Cristóbal and the streets near Plaza Regocijo are quieter … read more 👉
San Blas is the best base for backpackers, a steep ten-minute walk uphill from the Plaza de Armas where Santurantikuy takes place. Its cobbled lanes hold the highest concentration of social hostels, small cafes and artisan workshops, so you meet other solo travelers easily over breakfast or at rooftop bars.

The streets around Plaza de Armas itself put you in the middle of the market, and the lanes toward Calle Procuradores are packed with hostels and tour offices. It is lively late at night and louder than other areas, so pack earplugs.

San Cristóbal and the streets near Plaza Regocijo are quieter and cheaper, still within a fifteen-minute walk. Avoid the area around the bus terminal and Avenida Grau at night, and use licensed taxis after dark. Book early, as dorms around Christmas fill weeks ahead.
Best hostels in Peru


Best quality hotels in Peru

👛 Costs (as of 20 October 2026)Money, prices, and spending tips

A day at Santurantikuy costs roughly US$29 to 90 for an independent traveler, with the total dominated by Christmas-season beds.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Festival ticketsUS$0Entry to the market and plaza is free.
AccommodationUS$15 to 40Dorm beds around Christmas cost more than usual, and private rooms start near US$40.
Local transportUS$1 to 5The center is walkable. Short taxi rides cost about US$1.50 to 3, and combis are under US$0.50.
Food & drinksUS$8 to 20Street snacks cost US$0.50 to 2, and a set lunch is US$3 to 5.
Miscellaneous expensesUS$5 to 25Nativity figurines range from US$3 for small ones to US$30 or more for handmade pieces.
Total Daily BudgetUS$29 to 90Per person, per day, in high season.


source: peru.travel
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🍲 FoodLocal Flavors for Backpackers

Santurantikuy runs on street snacks and hot drinks, which suit cold December evenings. Stalls around the plaza sell picarones, ring-shaped sweet potato and squash fritters drizzled with chancaca syrup, fried to order and best eaten within a minute. Look for anticuchos, tamales and choclo con queso, boiled giant-kernel corn with a slab of fresh cheese.

For drinks, chocolate caliente is the festival habit, often served with panetón, the Peruvian Christmas bread. Try ponche or emoliente to warm up, and for something stronger a small cup of canelazo, cinnamon and cane spirit.

Carry small bills and coins, since vendors rarely take cards. Portions are small and cheap, so graze across several stalls instead of sitting for one meal. Lines form fastest at the picarones stands, and they move quickly. Eat where locals queue.

FAQCommon questions from travelers

Santurantikuy takes place every year on December 24 in Cusco’s Plaza de Armas, with stalls appearing in surrounding streets. The main buying and selling happens during the day, and the plaza stays busy into the evening. Many vendors begin setting up a day or two earlier.
Santurantikuy costs nothing to enter, since it is an open-air market in the plaza. Most travelers spend US$5 to 30 on figurines and crafts, plus US$3 to 10 on snacks and hot drinks. Beds in Cusco cost more around Christmas, with dorms about US$15 to 25.
Santurantikuy needs no tickets, as it is a free public market in Cusco’s Plaza de Armas. What you should book ahead is your bed, ideally by early November, and buses or flights to Cusco around December 22. Arrive early on December 24 for the best selection.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Peruvian festivals near Santurantikuy

Explore more nearby:


💡 Not sure where to go next?
Create a personalized itinerary for Peru including Santurantikuy and the places that fit your trip.

Generate my itinerary

👉 Discover all festivals

Or checkout all Peru has to offer (think cities, towns, villages, national parks, hikes, beaches, festivals)
Explore Peru
Country photo of Peru
© Google Images

We 💚 feedbackFinal thoughts on celebrating the Santurantikuy

Santurantikuy’s best finds are often tucked into side stalls, not the center rows, so wander the edges first. I would go early, carry small bills, and buy one figurine you actually like instead of a pile of gifts.

✈️ When did I visit Peru?
Peru I visited during my half year trip through South and Central America back in 2003

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Peru, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



🙋‍♂️ Give feedback

👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?

Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

The goal is to provide realistic, experience-driven guidance — not generic itineraries — so you can explore destinations with better context, clearer expectations, and more confidence.

Read the full story