It is always a good time to visit Cuenca. If you enjoy festivals and traditional events, here are the most popular options throughout the year:
January
Holy Innocents
The feast day of the Holy Innocents exquisitely combines the pagan and the religious. Its origin dates back to the 5th century when the Catholic Church began commemorating the children who were massacred in Judea by order of Herod, shortly after the birth of Jesus.
February – March
Thursday of Compadres and Comadres
This is the launching ceremony of the “Carnaval de Cuenca”, a huge party where the official “compadre” or “comadre” of the Carnival is publicly announced amidst music, dance, and fireworks.
The Carnival
Cuenca’s carnival is unique, as it has a strong traditional, familiar and festive character.
April
Holy Week
April is a very special month for everyone in Cuenca – a time of family traditions and religious festivities.
Abril Artes Mil
Cuenca is a city that proudly embraces all its sounds, aromas, colors, and textures because each of these elements is a sample of thousands of years of history – our history.
Anniversary of the Foundation of Cuenca
Cuenca is the capital of the province of Azuay and every April 12th its foundation is commemorated. That day is a local holiday in which the offer of cultural, artistic, gastronomic, and entertainment services is increased.
May
Workers’ Day
As in the rest of the world, Workers’ Day is celebrated every May 1st in Cuenca. It is a short holiday that offers all the advantages of a low-season visit.
The Battle of Pichincha Holiday
Celebrated every May 24th, this is a holiday that normally involves a lot of commercial activity throughout Ecuador, as many families and groups of friends travel around the country, mainly to tourist destinations such as Cuenca.
June
Corpus Christi
For seven consecutive days, a hundred “mantenedoras” sell delicious sweets around Calderon Park. This is why Corpus Christi is known as “the sweetest celebration in Ecuador”.
Music Festival
It is a popular event that brings together more than 50 musical groups in different sectors of the city for a whole weekend. The Cuenca Music Festival has become one of the most relevant musical events in the country, with more than 25,000 people attending every year.
August
First Cry of Independence Holiday
The First Cry of Independence is one of the most important and celebrated holidays in Ecuador. The Quito revolution of August 10, 1809, marked the First Cry of Independence, and Ecuador was a pioneer in legitimizing its sovereignty.
September
“Escenarios del Mundo” Festival
The International Festival of Performing Arts “Escenarios del Mundo” is a cultural event in which many local and foreign performing artists take part. It has been held for 16 consecutive years and is one of the greatest cultural demonstrations of the city, in which visitors can appreciate closely the different contemporary cultural manifestations.
Octobre
Guayaquil Independence Day
Every October 9th, Guayaquil celebrates its independence. This is a very special occasion that is enjoyed by all Ecuadorians, as it is a national holiday.
November
Cuenca Independence Day
November 3rd is the Independence Day of Cuenca, a date that is also a national holiday. This occasion is celebrated with many cultural and artistic events, fairs of various types, concerts, parades, and Cuencan nights.
Day of the Dead
Every November 2nd, one of the most deeply rooted traditions in our culture is celebrated – the “Day of the Dead”. It is a very popular holiday with peculiar rites, traditions, and folklore.
December
Festival of Lights in honor of the Virgen Morenica del Rosario
On December 7th, the small plaza of Santo Domingo and the aisles of the central church are adorned with thousands of lanterns – a unique tradition in Cuenca in honor of its Patron Saint.
The Passage of Traveling Baby Jesus
Every December 24th, Bolivar Street becomes the “fifth river of Cuenca” due to the great wave of parishioners who come on pilgrimage dancing, singing, and worshipping the image of the Traveling Baby Jesus.
New Years’ Eve
In Cuenca, New Year’s Eve celebrations have a special touch, for, although the burning of “monigotes” (big dummies) is done in several cities throughout the country, here the locals give their all to comply with this tradition.