Cuenca's festivities: what to do around November 3
Cuenca celebrates its independence every November 3 with concerts, craft fairs and events across the historic centre. Here is how to plan it.
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On November 3, 1820 Cuenca proclaimed its independence, and it has been the city's big date ever since. The festivities run for several days around it and meet the November 2 Day of the Dead holiday, so the city fills with visitors.
What to expect
- Concerts and open-air stages, many of them free.
- Craft and makers' fairs, with work from across the region.
- Parades and civic events downtown.
- Programmes at theatres, museums and cultural centres.
Getting around
Cuenca's historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, holds much of the celebration: Parque Calderón, the streets around the cathedral and the banks of the Tomebamba river. Walking is the best way to get around on those days.
Tips
- Check the time before heading out: during the festivities, times and venues change.
- Bring a jacket: Cuenca's nights are cold.
- For a fair, go early; by mid-afternoon it is packed.
Below are the next plans published in Cuenca, updated every day. You can also see Cuenca's full agenda or what is on this weekend.