Fiestas Patrias in Peru On 28 and 29 July each year Peru celebrates Fiestas Patrias, the national holidays to commemorate the country's independence. It's the biggest holiday in Peru after Christmas and the whole country takes part in the lively festivities. 28 July marks the official day when Jose de San Martin declared Peru's independence from Spain in 1821. Then 29 July is a day in tribute to the country's national police and armed forces. If you're in Peru during Fiestas Patrias, here are our 5 top picks to soak up the atmosphere and join in the fun. 1. Parades through the streets of Lima As the official national celebration of independence, there's a lot of pomp and ceremony that goes along with this important day. Head into the city centre of Lima to watch the raising of the flag at the Cathedral and the 21 gun salute on 28 July, followed by the huge parade through the streets on 29 July. These are great ways to see Peru's national pride in action. There are also parades, festivals and fireworks in other towns and cities throughout Peru. 2. Understand the story of Peru Peru's story of independence spans many centuries, through different periods of transition and change for the country. To understand how Peru arrived at its independence celebrations of today, let Aracari take you on a journey through the country's past. With specialist guides taking you to the top historic sites and museums for private tours, understanding the past is a great way to appreciate modern day Peru. 3. Fly the colours You'll see that all public buildings in Peru proudly fly the Peruvian flag for Fiestas Patrias, and decorate their buildings in red and white. Even vehicles, bicycles and pets get in on the action. Peru's flag is red and white, colours chosen by