Historic Centre of Arequipa hosts Hay Festival from 5 to 8 November
Published on 10/18/2026 at 02:01 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Historic Centre of Arequipa (Centro Histórico de Arequipa) will host parts of Hay Festival Arequipa from 5 to 8 November 2026, bringing literature, art and live discussion to the Peruvian city. The programme connects cultural venues and public spaces, including Plaza San Francisco, with the heritage setting of Arequipa.
Hay Festival Arequipa brings four days to the centre
The twelfth edition runs from 5 to 8 November 2026, as confirmed by the official festival programme. Its published schedule includes conversations, book presentations, readings, concerts, theatre, film, workshops and activities for children and families.
Several listed venues stand within or beside the historic urban fabric. Plaza San Francisco is scheduled to host the La Carpa Librera book tent, a presentation by writer Ana Saavedra and a choral concert. The programme also lists the Teatro Municipal, Teatro Arequepay, Casa Tristán del Pozo, the Alianza Francesa and the Centro Cultural Peruano Norteamericano.
The community strand runs from 4 to 8 November 2026 and adds activities in different parts of Arequipa. Andina reports on the community programme, including a three-kilometre run through the historic centre that finishes at Plaza San Francisco on 8 November 2026.
Volcanic stone frames the festival programme
The setting is more than a backdrop for the November programme. UNESCO describes the historic centre as a World Heritage site built largely from white or pink volcanic sillar, with European and native building traditions visible in its walls, arches, vaults, courtyards and Baroque facades.
The site was founded in 1540, and its World Heritage area contains 49 original blocks of the Spanish layout alongside 24 blocks from the colonial period and the nineteenth century. The Plaza de Armas forms the urban core, while the church and cloisters of La Compañía represent the Baroque mestizo period. UNESCO describes the historic centre as an architectural ensemble shaped by local materials, earthquakes and cultural exchange.
That relationship gives the festival a precise local character: a run follows historic streets, while conversations and readings occupy civic, cultural and religious surroundings formed from the same volcanic building tradition. The programme therefore uses the centre as a network of lived spaces rather than a single event hall.
What the November programme adds to Arequipa
The published schedule includes international and Peruvian writers, literary conversations, book presentations and performances. On 8 November 2026, the programme lists a discussion with Andre Aciman at the Teatro Municipal, a poetry-related conversation at Casa Tristán del Pozo and public activities at Plaza San Francisco.
The community programme broadens the focus beyond literary talks. It includes chess with Julio Granda, family theatre, improvisation, cinema, artistic workshops and sound experiences by KNM Ensemble Berlin. Activities also extend to schools, a care home and other community settings in Arequipa.
Visiting Historic Centre of Arequipa: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- Hay Festival Arequipa runs from 5 to 8 November 2026. The community programme runs from 4 to 8 November 2026, with Plaza San Francisco among its named venues.
- The programme combines public community activities with scheduled festival events in theatres, cultural centres and historic buildings. The official programme should be checked for the access conditions of each activity.
- The main named locations include Plaza San Francisco, the Teatro Municipal, Teatro Arequepay and Casa Tristán del Pozo, all within the cultural network of central Arequipa.
- Visitors encounter sillar buildings, vaulted spaces, arcades, courtyards and historic streets. UNESCO records the World Heritage area at 166.52 hectares.
- Spanish is the principal language used locally, and Peru's national currency is the sol.
- Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.
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Frequently asked questions about Historic Centre of Arequipa
When does Hay Festival Arequipa take place at Historic Centre of Arequipa?
Hay Festival Arequipa runs from 5 to 8 November 2026. The community programme begins on 4 November 2026 and continues through 8 November 2026.
What is Historic Centre of Arequipa?
It is a World Heritage urban area built largely from volcanic sillar. UNESCO identifies European and native building traditions in its streets, courtyards, arches, vaults and Baroque facades.
Where is Historic Centre of Arequipa and how do you get there?
It is in Arequipa, Peru, with the Plaza de Armas at the core of the historic town. Hay Festival venues named in the programme include Plaza San Francisco, the Teatro Municipal and Casa Tristán del Pozo.
