Santurantikuy: The Cusco Christmas Eve Artisan Market (December 24 Guide)

Since the 16th century, the celebration of Christmas in Imperial Cusco has been defined by a single, extraordinary cultural event that takes place once a year. From dawn until nightfall on December 24th, the historic Plaza de Armas transforms into a vast open-air museum of Andean artistry. This is Santurantikuy—a Quechua expression meaning "The Buying and Selling of Saints" and the grand finale of Peru's annual cultural calendar.

Over a thousand master sculptors, silversmiths, and ceramicists from across the southern Andes gather in the square to unveil their finest creations. For the luxury traveler and art collector, Santurantikuy is an unmatched opportunity to acquire museum-grade Peruvian folk art directly from the hands that sculpted it.

The Tradition of the Niño Manuelito

While European Christmas markets center around pine trees and glass ornaments, Santurantikuy revolves around the Andean nativity scene (Nacimiento) and its beloved centerpiece: the Niño Manuelito (an affectionate Andean name for Emmanuel).

Crafted using traditional maguey wood, plaster paste (pasta mural), glass eyes, and delicate palate mirrors, the Niño Manuelito is depicted in distinct expressions—such as the Niño de la Espina (removing a tiny desert thorn from his foot). Master imagineros from the historic San Blas neighborhood (explored on our Private Cusco City Tour)—including the celebrated Mendívil, Olave, and Mérida dynasties—spend the entire year preparing pieces for this single day.

Beyond the Niño Manuelito figures, Santurantikuy showcases fine colonial-style silverwork, elongated-neck Mendívil sculptures, and hand-painted ceramics from Cusco's San Blas quarter.

A Living Masterclass in Andean Craftsmanship

Declared Cultural Heritage of the Nation in Peru, Santurantikuy is a juried artistic exhibition where multi-generational families preserve colonial Cusco School (Escuela Cusqueña) techniques blended with indigenous Andean motifs.

Adding to the sensory magic are Quechua families who descend from high mountain communities carrying fragrant highland mosses, miniature bromeliads, and wild herbs used by Cusqueño households to build their nativity landscapes.

Curating Your Luxury Holiday Experience

Navigating Santurantikuy independently can feel overwhelming as tens of thousands of residents fill the Plaza de Armas on Christmas Eve. At Luxury Machu Picchu, we weave Santurantikuy seamlessly into our private cultural tours and 7-Day Incan Empire Package:

• Private Art Historian & San Blas Studio Access: Tour the morning market alongside a specialist in Andean folk art who introduces you personally to Cusco's Grand Masters, followed by private visits to the family ateliers of San Blas and white-glove international art shipping.
• Private Balcony Viewing & Traditional Ponche: Retreat to a reserved second-floor colonial balcony overlooking the illuminated Plaza de Armas at dusk to savor traditional Ponche Cusqueño (a warm, spiced almond-and-milk infusion) and artisanal pastries.
• Christmas Eve 5-Star Gala Dinner: Spend the holidays in a 16th-century palace or monastery. We secure festive suites and Christmas Eve gala dining at flagship properties in Cusco (such as Belmond Hotel Monasterio, Belmond Palacio Nazarenas, or Palacio del Inka) as well as our Sacred Valley resorts and Machu Picchu lodges.