Trujillo Spring Festival

The Festival Internacional de la Primavera has been held in Trujillo since 1950, organised originally by the local Lions club, and it marks the start of spring with a large parade: floats built and covered in flowers, brass bands, marinera dancers, caballos de paso, and delegations invited from other countries. The city decorates its avenues, the historic centre is closed to traffic, and grandstands are put up along the route. Around the parade there are galas, sporting events, concerts and beauty contests over a week or more. It is a civic festival rather than a religious one, and it is squarely aimed at the city's own residents and at domestic visitors, with a heavy commercial element. Trujillo's colonial centre, with its coloured mansions and wrought-iron window grilles, is the backdrop.

What you actually see

• The flower floats - the main parade through the closed historic centre.
• The marinera and horses - dancers and paso horses accompanying the procession.
• The delegations - invited groups from other countries in the parade.
• The civic setting - Trujillo's colonial avenues decorated for the week.

When to go

Late September into early October each year; dates shift. Two to four days, with the main parade on the central weekend. Book accommodation ahead.

Honest expectations

Heavily commercialised, with sponsor branding throughout. Streets close and traffic is difficult across the city. Grandstand seats are ticketed and standing views are crowded. Hotels fill and prices rise.

Nearby

Chan Chan and Huanchaco are west of the city; the Moche huacas are south.