If you’re planning to visit Mancos in August, you can time your trip to coincide with the festival in honor of San Roque. It takes place alongside the district’s Tourism Week, which runs from August 5 to 25. August 16 is the main festival day, but there are also various events before and after it. Religious celebrations, an agricultural and handicrafts fair, regional dishes, music, dance, and sports each bring their own focus. Confirm the dates for the year of your trip before planning your stay around specific festival days.
From the Opening Through August 12
The festival begins on August 5 with the decoration of Mancos’s main streets, with residents and municipal employees taking part. Novena Masses are held every evening from August 5 to 11. Two different events follow on August 12: the traditional visit of the sacred image to the San Roque temple is part of the festival program, and an inter-institutional sports festival is also held. The opening days therefore feature both religious events and a sporting event. If you’re interested in the novenas, keep the first festival days in mind; the main festival day comes later.
Fair, Regional Dishes, and Dance
August 13 brings together several highlights. On this day, the Alli Maqui y Hatun Sonco agricultural and handicrafts fair opens, organized by the municipal government of the Mancos District. A food festival featuring typical regional dishes and a cockfighting competition are also on the program. There is also a public dance in Mancos’s Plaza de Armas. If you’re choosing your travel dates based on the fair, food, and dancing, you’ll find all three on the same day.
On August 14, the program includes a procession in honor of San Roque, accompanied by a musical band. There is also a dance competition, a public dance in the Plaza de Armas, and a fireworks display. On August 15, a large Pasacalle takes place with gifts for the patron saint; a competition for professional musical bands is also held. The two days therefore have different highlights: the calendar features the procession and dancing on August 14, and the Pasacalle and music competition on August 15.
The Main Festival Day and the Days After
On August 16, religious events in Mancos include a procession of the patron saint, a concelebrated Mass, and the gathering of floral offerings by the Mayordomos. The main festival day also includes a bullfight in the bullring, accompanied by music and general dancing. A second bullfighting afternoon follows on August 17. The festival in honor of San Roque is also celebrated in Coracollo and Huarascucho on August 16.
To choose your travel dates, it helps to consider these differences: August 16 brings together religious ceremonies and other festival events, while the fair, regional dishes, processions, dancing, and music are spread across August 13 to 15. The dates listed run from the opening on August 5 through August 17; the Patron Saint Festival is also linked to the district’s longer Tourism Week. Before you go, check which events matter most for your visit and plan around the confirmed dates for that year.
Discover more destinations: Carhuaz, Caraz, Yungay, Huarmey, Chimbote, Huari, San Juan District, Santo Toribio District.
For the main travel overview: Ancash.
