Inti Raymi celebration in Cusco

If you’re in South America and looking for a grand cultural festival in June, head to Cusco, Peru, for the Southern Hemisphere’s winter solstice. Every year, on June 24, more than 200,000 people gather at the Incan fortress of Sacsayhuamán for Inti Raymi—the celebration to honor Wiracocha, the Sun God.

The original festival was banned by the Spaniards, but then revived in the mid-19th century by people who studied historical documents about the sacred ceremony. The resulting modern-day spectacle includes a costumed procession, speeches in Quechua and dancing. It’s a highly staged production that can dive a bit into the cheesy realm, but gives visitors an idea of what the original 10-day festivities may have resembled.

Before the celebration at Sacsayhuamán begins, enactors wearing traditional Incan dress gather at the Qorikancha (also called Coricancha), the sun temple. One of the most revered temples in the city, this structure was once covered in plates of gold. The procession moves through the streets of Cusco and up the hill to the fortress for the main event.

While the festivities earlier in the day are free, tickets for the final spectacle at Sacsayhuamán cost $90 for adults ($45 for children) can be obtained through EMUFEC, Cusco’s cultural festival organization.

Have you been to Inti Raymi? Do you have tips to share?