Cuenca’s Corpus Christi kicks off with a blast

According to its sponsors, this year’s Corpus Christi celebration in Cuenca will be “el mas grande de todos,” or the biggest ever. Events begin today, centered around Parque Calderon, where more than 100 vendors will sell candy and pastries and fireworks will light up the night sky.

Traditionally scheduled for seven days, the celebration has been extended to 10 days in recent years and will continue until June 19 this year. To accommodate the crowds, the city is closing the streets around Parque Calderon to vehicular traffic from June 4 to June 14.

In addition to sales of sweets and nightly fireworks, Corpus Christi 2026 will include dozens of crafts and food fairs, concerts, dances and exhibitions. (See the full agenda.) In addition to Parque Calderon, events will be held throughout the city, including in Plaza San Francisco and Parque La Merced.

Highlighting the concerts are La Silvioteca at the Sucre Theater, and the dramatic presentation “La Tía Cuquita” at the Pumapungo Theater, both Friday night. Other concerts include a performance by Alex Ponce on Saturday at the Carlos Cueva Tamariz Theater, and a concert of traditional music, June 13, at the Casa de la Cultura theater.

The Archdiocese of Cuenca issued its annual advisement to the faithful to “remember the real meaning of Corpus Christi and keep it holy.” A special Corpus Christi mass will be conducted Sunday in the cathedral at 7 p.m. and eucharists will be held daily.

Due to crowd control problems in 2024 and 2025, city and church officials said Monday that fireworks castles will not be erected at the intersection of Calles Sucre and Benigno Malo this year. “They will be located at the other three corners of Parque Calderon with additional precautions to protect the public,” the mayor’s office said.