San Francisco Church Fair

About

The San Francisco Church Fair (Feria de San Francisco) is a vibrant early October celebration that transforms Plaza San Francisco into a bustling marketplace filled with traditional Peruvian crafts, street food, and cultural performances. This beloved local fair offers families an authentic glimpse into Cusco's living traditions, with colorful textiles, artisan demonstrations, and festive music creating an unforgettable cultural experience. Kids will be captivated by the sensory overload of sights, sounds, and flavors unique to the Andean highlands.

What to Expect

Expect a lively outdoor fair with dozens of vendor stalls selling traditional handicrafts, woven textiles, pottery, and religious items alongside food vendors offering Peruvian street food specialties. The atmosphere is festive and family-oriented, with local families mingling among international visitors, live Andean music performances, and sometimes traditional dancers in colorful costumes. The fair centers around the historic San Francisco Church, creating a beautiful colonial backdrop, and the energy is warm and welcoming with vendors happy to interact with curious children.

Highlights for Kids

• Watching artisans weave traditional textiles on portable looms and demonstrate ancient Incan techniques
• Sampling sweet picarones (Peruvian donuts) and mazamorra morada (purple corn pudding) from street food vendors
• Hearing live Andean music with traditional instruments like pan flutes and charangos
• Browsing colorful displays of handmade alpaca wool items, painted ceramics, and intricate retablos
• Experiencing a genuine local celebration alongside Cusqueño families in traditional dress

Pro Tips for Families

1. Bring small denominations of Peruvian soles (cash only) as vendors rarely accept cards, and have children help with simple purchases to practice Spanish numbers and greetings
2. Visit during daylight hours as Cusco's 11,150-foot altitude means temperatures drop significantly after sunset; dress kids in layers they can remove as the day warms
3. Allow extra time for your family to acclimate to the altitude before attending—arrive in Cusco at least 1-2 days prior and stay well-hydrated throughout the fair
4. Purchase a colorful traditional hat or small woven bracelet early in your visit so kids have a special souvenir to wear while exploring the rest of the fair

Best Time to Visit

Mid-morning (10am-12pm) offers the best experience when the fair is fully set up but not yet at peak crowds, and temperatures are comfortable after the chilly morning. The energy is vibrant but manageable for families, vendors are enthusiastic, and you'll have better light for photos. Avoid late afternoon when crowds intensify and the altitude combined with sun exposure can tire children more quickly.

Food & Drinks

Food vendors offer traditional Peruvian street fare including anticuchos (grilled meat skewers), tamales, empanadas, and sweet treats like picarones and churros that appeal to adventurous young eaters. For pickier eaters, plain grilled corn on the cob (choclo) and fresh fruit are safe options. Bottled water and fresh fruit juices are widely available—stick to sealed bottled beverages to avoid altitude and travel-related stomach issues. Consider bringing hand sanitizer and wet wipes as handwashing facilities may be limited.

Parking & Access

Plaza San Francisco is located in central Cusco, easily walkable from most hotels in the historic center (10-15 minutes from Plaza de Armas). Taxis and Uber are readily available and inexpensive (5-10 soles from most central locations). The plaza itself is not stroller-friendly due to cobblestone streets, vendor setups, and crowds—baby carriers or hiking backpacks work much better for younger children. If driving, park in paid lots near the city center as street parking is extremely limited; however, most international visitors rely on walking or taxis.