Inti Raymi in the Main Square

The Inti Raymi festival is celebrated in the city of Cusco every June 24th, commemorating the most important celebration of Inca culture. The interpretation of the Sun Festival is divided into three impressive shows, each with unique characteristics that make them unmissable. The first takes place at the Qoricancha temple, the second in the Main Square, and the third (and most significant) in the Sacsayhuamán fortress. The show held in the Main Square is one of the most beautiful, as people gather around the square and enjoy the performance for free. The earliest to arrive will get the best spots, so don’t miss this incredible opportunity to enjoy Inti Raymi in the Main Square at no cost.

Inti Raymi - Coricancha

What is the Inti Raymi show like in the Main Square?

The Inti Raymi show in the Main Square is the second of the three stages. During this performance, people from the four regions of the Tahuantinsuyo are presented, and through music and dance, they welcome the Inca and the Coya. The mayor of Cusco also plays an important role, being the center of one of the traditional rituals. Admission to the Inti Raymi in the Main Square is completely free, but you must arrive early to get a good spot and enjoy the show, which lasts approximately 45 minutes. The Inti Raymi show in the Main Square starts at 11 a.m.

Inti Raymi in the Main Square
CELEBRATIONS OR RITUALS HOW DOES IT HAPPEN? ARTISTS
Coca Leaf Ritual In this ritual, through the reading of coca leaves, predictions are sought about the future of the empire and the Inca regarding prosperity and well-being.
  • Inca
  • High Priest
Ceremony of the Meeting of Times In this ceremony, the mayor of Cusco receives from the Inca a Khipu (woven cords used as a language system in Inca culture) where the knowledge of the people is represented, such as Munay, Yachay, Llankay (to love, to know, to work).
  • Inca
  • Mayor of Cusco
Dances of the Tahuantinsuyo Each of the regions of the Tahuantinsuyo (Chinchaysuyo, Contisuyo, Antisuyo, Collasuyo) performs dances in honor of the Sun God and the Inca.
  • Dancers from Chinchaysuyo
  • Dancers from Collasuyo
  • Dancers from Antisuyo
  • Dancers from Contisuyo

Map of Inti Raymi in the Main Square

Discover the second stage of the Inti Raymi celebration, find your location, and get a full view from the Main Square during the grandest festival in honor of the Sun.

Inti Raymi Route Map - Main Square

Ticket Prices for Inti Raymi and Complementary Services

If you want to fully experience Inti Raymi, we recommend purchasing a ticket for the main event of the Sun Festival at the Sacsayhuamán fortress, where you can enjoy a 2-hour and 30-minute show from a privileged seat with a view of all the splendor of Inca culture. You can also book complementary services that will enrich your experience—don’t miss this opportunity to witness the Inti Raymi celebration from the front row.

INTI RAYMI TICKETS
Tribune at Sacsayhuamán Sacsayhuamán Ticket Transport + Sacsayhuamán Ticket Guide + Sacsayhuamán Ticket Box Lunch + Sacsayhuamán Ticket Coricancha Ticket + Sacsayhuamán Ticket
Green Zone 165 USD 180 USD 180 USD 190 USD 220 USD
Orange Zone 240 USD 255 USD 255 USD 265 USD 295 USD
Red Zone 230 USD 245 USD 245 USD 255 USD 285 USD

Why complement your visit to Inti Raymi in the Main Square with a ticket to the main show in Sacsayhuamán?

The second Inti Raymi show in the Main Square is one of the most beautiful, but its short duration means you need to experience the full picture. The main show in Sacsayhuamán offers a deeper immersion into the most important Inca celebration. For that reason, here are some compelling reasons not to miss the chance to witness one of the world’s most important cultural festivals firsthand.

  • A Unique Cultural Experience

    While Cusco is known for its incredible tourist attractions, immersing yourself in its culture through an ancient festival like Inti Raymi allows you to see a different, tradition-rich side of the city. Experiencing the Inti Raymi festival for the first time gives you a whole new appreciation for your stay and journey through Cusco.

  • Privileged View of the Show

    Purchasing a ticket for the Inti Raymi show at Sacsayhuamán gives you access to one of the three grandstands (Red Zone, Green Zone, Orange Zone), where you can enjoy the show from a front-row seat without any inconvenience. This way, you won’t miss a single detail of the celebration in honor of the sun, full of rituals, dances, music, and vibrant colors.

  • Safety and Confidence

    Unlike the show in the Main Square, the Inti Raymi performance in Sacsayhuamán offers much greater organization and security, as only ticket holders are allowed to enter the venue. Thanks to this, your reserved seat ensures a hassle-free arrival and peace of mind at the most important Andean cultural celebration.

  • Sacsayhuamán as the Stage

    Experiencing the main Inti Raymi show in the impressive setting of the Sacsayhuamán fortress immerses you more deeply in the story told through the festival’s performance. Surrounded by massive structures harmonized with nature, you’ll find the perfect place to appreciate the legacy of Inca culture in one of its most important sacred sites.


The Main Square, Cusco’s Meeting Point

The perfect meeting point in Cusco is the Main Square, the central location that allows you to reach any part of the city in a short time. Plus, its surroundings offer many experiences waiting to be discovered. Its original name is “Huacaypata,” which means “place of weeping,” and since Inca times it held great importance as a place for significant gatherings and battle assemblies.

During the Inca era, the Main Square was home to the palace of Inca Huayna Cápac, the palace of Inca Wiracocha, and the Acllwasi. Later, in colonial times, these were replaced by the Church of the Society of Jesus, the Cathedral, and the Convent of Santa Catalina, respectively. Even today, you can still see some of the original Inca architecture preserved as the foundations of current buildings within the Plaza.

Nowadays, the Main Square still holds great importance as the epicenter of many tourist, culinary, artisan, cultural, and festive activities. Moreover, during special dates, traditional events with wide attendance take place here. Among them are Corpus Christi (May–June), Inti Raymi (June 24), New Year’s Eve (December 31), Independence Day (July 28), the Lord of Earthquakes procession (April), and many other celebrations.

Questions and Answers about Inti Raymi in the Main Square

1) What exactly is Inti Raymi?
Inti Raymi is the Festival of the Sun, the most important celebration of the Inca calendar. It was a tribute to the god Inti (the Sun), source of life and spiritual guide of the empire. Today, it is revived every June 24th in Cusco with a spectacle that blends history, dance, music, and ancestral tradition.
2) Where does the Inti Raymi show take place in the Main Square?
Right in the heart of Cusco, in the iconic Main Square. This is the second act of the Inti Raymi, which has free admission and is surrounded by the energy of the people and the iconic architecture of Cusco.
3) What time does the show start at the Main Square?
The show starts at 11:00 a.m. sharp. But if you want a good spot, we recommend arriving early. The show in the Main Square lasts 45 minutes.
4) Is access to Inti Raymi in the Main Square free?
Yes, but like any good free party, you have to arrive early.
5) What rituals or ceremonies can be seen in the Main Square?
The most important and most symbolic are: Coca leaf ritual: where the future of the empire is consulted through the sacred leaves, Ceremony of the meeting of the times: the Inca gives the mayor a khipu, a symbol of ancestral knowledge, Dances of the Tahuantinsuyo: colorful representations of the four regions of the empire.
6) How long does the Inti Raymi show last in the Main Square?
The Inti Raymi show in the Main Square lasts approximately 45 minutes.
7) What other important events are held in the Main Square?
The Main Square is an epicenter of cultural events, including Corpus Christi, the Andean New Year, the Fiestas Patrias, the procession of the Lord of the Earthquakes, and the Inti Raymi.
8) Is it worthwhile to complement the Square show with the entrance to Inti Raymi in Sacsayhuamán?
Definitely yes, with your ticket to the Inti Raymi show in Sacsayhuamán you'll have a reserved seat, a two-and-a-half-hour show, breathtaking views, the most impressive rituals, and great security.
9) What additional services can be contracted for entry to Inti Raymi in Sacsayhuamán?
To enhance your experience at the main Inti Raymi show in Sacsayhuamán, you can add complementary services to fully enjoy the show, such as private transportation, an official guide, a box lunch, and admission to the first show at the Coricancha temple.
10) How many stages does the Inti Raymi show have in Cusco?
The most important cultural festival of the Inca culture, Inti Raymi, has three main venues: the Qoricancha Temple (first show), the Plaza de Armas (second show) and the Sacsayhuamán fortress (third and main show).