Grand Finale in Cusco, Peru

On Sunday, February 22, 2026, we went into the square of Plaza de Armas (Cusco) because the day before one of our Uber drivers told us that this Sunday there would be the grand finale celebration of Carnival. Carnival in Peru is important because it encourages community bonding and signifies purification.

Today was the finale of the Carnival, It was a twenty minute walk to the square and we watched all the people gathering and buying all the supplies they would need to participate in the fun. We went to a cafe in Plaza de Armas where we could watch from the balcony while enjoying our breakfast. For breakfast I got a papaya juice with a croissant and salad which was decent in my opinion. We arrived prepared wearing rain jackets and ponchos because we were bound to get wet and super sweaty.

Across the square, the celebration started with just little children chasing each other with silly strings but eventually, everybody joined in. Eventually adults joined as well and everyone was armed with silly strings, water balloons, and even a purple substance that they use as paint. My brother and I targeted the gringos because we wanted to encourage them to participate in the fun and they did.

We lasted about two hours before getting tired and running out of silly strings. Our eyes become blood shot and our mouths had developed this strange sensation from the silly strings. We walked home while spraying people with the last of our silly strings and also getting sprayed by children in cars.