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Arequipa was founded by the Spanish Garci Manuel de Carbajal on August 15, 1540. Arequipa celebrates its anniversary every year with the utmost enthusiasm. The festivities now take place throughout the month of August. And Arequipa knows how to party and celebrate!
For the anniversary, Arequipa celebrates its rich history, culture and traditions. The city wide festivities will go on for weeks. During August, there will be the Adobo Festival, celebrating that symbolic dish. And there’s also the Chicha Festival that will be held in the Plaza de Armas which will showcase the beverage.
The International Dance Festival, aka Festidanza, brings together folkloric ballet groups from different regions in Peru as well as other countries. The International Encounter of Tunas will be at the Municipal Theater.
There is, not one, but two parades in Arequipa in August. The Pasacalle Regional is a folkloric parade. Over 200 artists in colorful costumes perform traditional dances and traditional music from the 8 different provinces in the Arequipa Region.
On the anniversary, August 15, the Corso de la Armistad, aka the Friendship Parade, takes over the city. This is a huge day long parade. You can expect to see folkloric dancers, traditional Peruvian costumes, colorful floats and marching bands. Be prepared for a cheerful atmosphere, lots of fun and great local food and dance. Arequipa is famous for its delicious cuisine and you can expect to find fantastic food at most of the festivities.
The annual fireworks show takes place on August 14. Crowds gather in the Plaza de Armas to watch the beautiful illuminations.
Throughout August, there will be cultural and art events, neighborhood parties, exhibitions, concerts, family gatherings, climbing competitions, beauty pageants and a lot more.
If you’d like to visit Arequipa for the anniversary celebration, you should consider the following hotels. You can book these hotels for under $100 each night which can save you money on your stay.
If you enjoyed Peruvian cuisine during the celebrations and would now like to learn more about it, try these cookbooks. And you can use our links to see how you can save money on them.
- Peruvian Cooking – Basic Recipes by Annik Franco Barreau
- Peruvian Cookbook: Traditional Peruvian Recipes Made Easy
- The Everything Peruvian Cookbook
If you’re going to be flying to Arequipa, find out how to save money on your flight.