El Aniversario de Lima: otherwise known as the anniversary of Lima, this event marks the founding of Lima and is celebrated with fireworks and performances throughout the city.

Carnavales: this is a pre-Easter carnival and is celebrated with street parties, concerts and the throwing of water-balloons at friends and unsuspecting passers-by.

Semana Santa: this is also known as Holy Week and sees many processions, festivals and parties throughout the city. Many locals take time off work, so you may find that opening hours for some businesses can be fairy erratic.

Festival Jazz en Lima: offers musicians the chance to share their music through concerts, master classes and jam sessions. It does not matter what standard you are, as the most important aspect of the festival is participation. Every artist remains in residence throughout the week-long festivities and they can often be seen jamming together in an evening.

Festival of the Crosses: this festival is organised by the members of each community, who decorate their crosses in preparation for the procession to neighbouring churches in Lima.

The New Dance Lima International Festival: is one of the most impressive celebrations of body movement in the country. This week-long festival sees dance groups from throughout the US and South America performs in shows, hold workshops and teach students.

Fiestas Patrias: this is Peru’s Independence Day. Celebrations include music, dancing, feasting and military processions. Most people take a day off work and all schools and government buildings close for the day.

Fiesta de Santa Rosa de Lima: this festival celebrates St Rose of Lima with street processions, music and dancing. It is a public holiday and a time for families to get together.

Film Festival: also known as Festival Elcine, the Lima Film Festival celebrates the art of film making and awards up-and-coming film makers and artists for their work throughout the year. It concentrates on less mainstream films and is an opportunity for little-known directors to showcase their work.

Mes del Señor de los Milagros (Month of Our Lord of the Miracles): honours the patron saint of Lima with processions and religious activity.

International Bullfighting Competitions: one of Peru’s national sports hits the headlines during a week in November as bull fighters from throughout the world come to Lima to fight in a knockout competition in honour of this ancient Spanish sport. There is always lots of blood and guts, and it is not suitable for the faint-hearted.

Christmas: Christmas in Lima focuses on family and religious celebrations. Papa Noel is Peru’s version of Santa Claus, and they also have a nativity scene called ‘El Nacimiento’, which means ‘the birth’. The majority of Peruvians are Catholic, so Christmas celebrations begin with midnight Mass, followed by a Christmas Eve dinner, which is eaten very late and may include the traditional stuffed turkey as well as salads, gravy, sweet potatoes, rice, apple sauce and mashed potatoes. Christmas Day sees families go to church together and come back to open presents and eat together.