There are so many festivals in Perú that you’ve just got to check out! Today we’ll be talking about a particular festival in October. Located in Jaquí, Perú, San Francisco de Asís is just the beginning of an incredible lineup of wonderful festivals you can attend.
Jaquí is in the southern region of Perú. A small, quiet town located in a valley. Out here, away from the crazies of Lima, is farm country, known for the best olives in Perú. There are many friendly people here, and they certainly know how to party! This festival is full of fun, laughter, and plenty of pisco to pass around.
Ready to learn more? Then let’s get into it!
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San Francisco de Asís
Trust me when I say…Jaquí knows how to party.
Are you ready for an unforgettable adventure at the October festivals of Perú? Here, music, dancing, and a sense of community come together to create an atmosphere of pure joy. Don’t miss the opportunity to participate in this extraordinary celebration of Peruvian culture and tradition.
San Francisco de Asís is just the beginning of a great festival season. They have fireworks, dancing, Peruvian horses, street food, and additionally, cockfights. You won’t want to miss this spectacular celebration!
The festival, San Francisco de Asís, is made up of five days of fun! If you come to attend it, I highly recommend you take the whole week off so you can really be present, enjoy the countryside, and jump right into the party!
Day One: The Festival Kick-Off (Monday)
On Monday night the festival bursts into life with music, food, and mesmerizing fireworks that illuminate the night. The fireworks at this event are unlike any fireworks I’ve ever seen before. They’re set up on a grand structure where one man, in the middle of it all, sets each and every explosion off one by one for an extraordinary show.
The lights spin and shoot out in all directions from a structure taller than a two-story house, and are mesmerizing to watch.
I thought this party was so incredibly fun, what a great start to the festival week! I was surprised to see how much more amazing each night was as the festival days progressed. With each new festival I attend, the more I learn about Peruvian culture and I get to see just how much fun Perú is and the beauty this country has to offer.
You Should Know: This festival takes place in October, the weather in Perú that time of year will be approaching summer, but it’s not warm the whole day. Summer isn’t in full swing until December, but in Jaquí, the sun is always shining. You should be quite comfortable during the day in jeans and a T-shirt. Come nightfall the temperatures do drop. If you plan to party the whole night and keep up with the locals, make sure you dress accordingly. And bring LOTS of sunscreen. Seriously.
Day Two: Dancing and Live Music (Tuesday)
On Tuesday night the party really starts!
Get ready to dance the night away as the music is turned way up and the melodies energize the crowd from 6:00 PM through midnight, with people crawling home after 2:00 AM. The music and vibe will leave you buzzing, and you’re sure to spend the night dancing away your worries.
The entire town center is filled with everyone from town and everything is brought out to improve the quality of the party.
We had so much fun this night at San Francisco de Asís! You will find the locals set up numerous tents and cook plenty of street food, including chicken and occasionally prawns. While the church opens its doors to serve Panetón and hot chocolate.
When we attended, we stayed out all night partying. I did not regret it as I crawled exhausted to my computer to work the next morning. The night ended with lots of smiles, laughter, and all the music playing freshly in our minds as we drifted off to sleep.
If you like to party – don’t miss this night! The experience is so much fun, you’ll be sure to make memories for a lifetime!
Day Three: Soccer, Street Food, and Horses (Wednesday)
Wednesday is more about the activities than the party. Experience soccer matches at noon and cockfights in the evening. Street food and shopping are still open, but most people just eat chicken between cockfight rounds.
On this day you can watch the Peruvian horses dance on the soccer field in the morning, swiftly followed by the soccer matches. Soccer players from all over the coast and from the Andes come to participate in the soccer match. There are several rounds and numerous teams. Even a few women’s teams! It is a lot of fun to watch and cheer everyone on.
If you show up early enough to see the Peruvian horses, keep an eye out for their elegant walk! The Peruvian horses have a beautiful step that almost looks like dancing, and you often see the locals incorporate this into their dressage. They’re so pretty to watch!
In the evening the cockfights go on for hours and are a local favorite! Families from all over the countryside come to participate and compete. It’s. A. Big. Deal.
Day Four and Five: The Grand Finale (Thursday and Friday)
At this festival in Jaquí, there are several days in a row of cockfighting, most notably, on Thursday and Friday.
Thursday is the elimination round for the cockfights. The fights go on all night as there are many participants.
Lastly, Friday is the Grand Finale. An event of great significance that draws huge crowds to the stadium. Food options include chicken prepared in two, maybe three, different ways, and cookies!
At this event, most people smoke, bet, and enjoy a night of chatting with their friends from all over the countryside. I haven’t decided how I feel about the cockfights yet, but I’ll be sure to give anyone who asks my opinion a supportive smile and a thumbs up.
After the final festival day in Jaquí everyone heads up to the second festival that starts Saturday morning in Sancos, Perú.
Due to the unique vibe of a Peruvian festival – and the need to keep warm at the festival, I put together some outfit ideas for participating in a Peruvian fiesta. I hope you check it out!
If you’re looking for an ultimate, fun adventure in Perú, be sure to check out San Francisco de Asís! If dancing, music, travel, and festivals are something you enjoy, you’re going to love this festival!
Want to know what else you can get in Jaquí, Perú? Check out this post to see Special Peruvian Desserts that you can find specifically in Jaquí. I mean hey, if you’re going to be down there, you might as well get some local treats!
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P.S. Looking for a fun activity to play while traveling to your next adventure? We put together a great freebie that you can play with your seatmate on a plane, train, or long bus ride, download your free trivia here.
Playing trivia is a great way to participate in fun activities with your friends and family, even when you’re 4,591 miles apart or constantly on the go. It helps you keep your long-distance relationships growing and is sure to provide lots of fun!
