Christmas Day in Peru

A national holiday with a fixed date

Peru’s Decree Legislative No. 713 lists Christmas Day on December 25 as a holiday and provides for paid rest for workers. The law says national holidays are observed on their respective dates; Christmas is not shifted to a weekday when December 25 falls on a weekend.[1]

Workers who work on the holiday without receiving substitute rest are entitled to the holiday pay and an additional payment for the work, under the rules in Decree Legislative No. 713.[1]

Christmas customs and food

Christmas in Peru is a Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus. In Cusco, the Niño Manuelito, a local image of the Christ Child, is central to Christmas displays and the Santurantikuy fair. The fair’s roots are described as dating to the colonial period, and it was recognized as Cultural Heritage of Peru in 2009.[3][4]

Panetón and hot chocolate are associated with Christmas gatherings in Peru. A Peruvian government health agency describes panetón as a Nochebuena table tradition and a companion to hot chocolate. Families may observe the holiday in different ways, so these customs should not be taken as universal.[5]

Cusco’s Santurantikuy

In Cusco, Santurantikuy is held on December 24 in the Plaza Mayor. Artisans from Cusco and other regions display popular art and Christmas items, including figures for nativity scenes. The fair centers on the Niño Manuelito and includes materials gathered from the natural environment for decorating the scenes.[3][4]

The celebration continues on Christmas Day in Cusco with people blessing images of Niño Manuelito and dancers performing the Huaylía, according to Peru’s official tourism site. The event offers a regional example of how Christmas customs are expressed through local religious imagery, crafts and performance.[3]

What to expect on December 25

Check opening hours with government offices and banks before you go. Check directly with the bank, shop, restaurant or transport provider for holiday hours and schedules.[1]