Inti Raymi

Inti Raymi, or the Festival of the Sun, is an annual celebration held every June 24 in Cusco, Peru, honoring Inti, the Inca Sun God, and marking the winter solstice. Established in the 15th century by Inca ruler Pachacutec, it was banned by Spanish colonizers in 1572 and revived in 1944 as a historical reenactment.

Today, the festival unfolds across three historic sites — Qorikancha, Plaza de Armas and Sacsayhuaman — with hundreds of actors in traditional costumes performing ceremonies, dances and offerings in Quechua. Drawing tens of thousands of visitors each year, Inti Raymi is a powerful expression of Andean cultural identity.