Andean New Year
Sunday, June 21, 2026
Andean New Year, known as Willkakuti or the Aymara New Year, is celebrated on June 21, coinciding with the winter solstice in the Southern Hemisphere. The festival marks the return of the sun (Inti) and the beginning of a new agricultural cycle according to the Aymara calendar. It is a sacred observance for indigenous communities in Bolivia, Peru, Chile, and Argentina, particularly the Aymara and Quechua peoples.
History
Willkakuti dates back to pre-Columbian times when the Tiwanaku and Inca civilizations celebrated the solstice as a time of renewal and rebirth. The observance was suppressed during Spanish colonization but has experienced a revival since the late 20th century. In 2009, Bolivia officially recognized Willkakuti as a national holiday under the constitution of the Plurinational State of Bolivia.
How It's Celebrated
Thousands gather at archaeological sites, particularly Tiwanaku in Bolivia, to welcome the first rays of the winter solstice sun. Ceremonies include offerings to Pachamama (Earth Mother) and Inti (Sun God), traditional music and dance, burning of offerings, and purification rituals. Participants wear traditional Andean clothing and share coca leaves and corn beer.