Historic Centre of Arequipa hosts Hay Festival on 5 November

Historic Centre of Arequipa (Centro Histórico de Arequipa) is hosting Hay Festival Arequipa from 5 to 8 November 2026, bringing conversations, readings and public activities to venues across Arequipa, Peru. The programme includes events in Plaza San Francisco and several cultural buildings within the historic centre.

Hay Festival Arequipa runs through the historic centre

The twelfth edition began on 5 November and continues until 8 November 2026. The organiser lists the Teatro Municipal, Plaza San Francisco, Casa Tristán del Pozo, the Centro Cultural Peruano Norteamericano, the Alianza Francesa de Arequipa and other city venues in the programme.

On Sunday 8 November, Peru Runners will organise a three-kilometre run through the historic centre, finishing at Plaza San Francisco. The same square is scheduled to host La Carpa Librera, a book presentation with Julio Granda and Juan Luis Ramírez, and a choral concert. The programme also includes conversations with writers, journalists and researchers at indoor venues across the centre. The official programme for 5 to 8 November gives the date and the venues.

Sillar architecture frames the Arequipa programme

The festival’s urban setting is a World Heritage property whose buildings are constructed largely from sillar, a volcanic stone. UNESCO describes a historic centre shaped by the combination of European and native building techniques, with robust walls, archways, vaults, courtyards and decorated Baroque facades.

The Plaza de Armas forms the core of the area, with the cathedral, municipal buildings and arcades. Nearby La Compañía is recognised for its Baroque mestizo architecture, while the Santa Catalina Monastery and the San Francisco complex add religious buildings, cloisters and public spaces to the surrounding historic fabric. That combination explains the practical character of the festival: visitors move between literary events and a compact architectural setting rather than attending at one isolated venue. UNESCO’s description of the centre records these features and its management context.

Visiting Historic Centre of Arequipa: what travellers from Western Europe should know

• Hay Festival Arequipa runs from 5 to 8 November 2026, with programme locations including Plaza San Francisco, Teatro Municipal and Casa Tristán del Pozo.
• The 8 November programme at Plaza San Francisco includes the Peru Runners event, book activities and a choral concert; other sessions take place in named cultural venues.
• The historic centre is in central Arequipa, around the Plaza de Armas, and its streets connect churches, courtyards, arcades and cultural buildings.
• The area includes narrow historic streets, stone paving, vaulted buildings and changing surfaces around plazas, so walking is central to moving between the festival venues.
• Peru’s official language is Spanish, and its 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?

The festival runs from 5 to 8 November 2026, with events in several venues across the historic centre of Arequipa.

What is Historic Centre of Arequipa?

It is a World Heritage property built largely from volcanic sillar, with plazas, churches, courtyards, arcades and Baroque facades.

Where is Historic Centre of Arequipa and how do you get there?

It is in central Arequipa around the Plaza de Armas, with festival venues distributed through the surrounding historic streets.