Above photo: Yawarkanchik Andean Dance Group
Cuenca heads into the weekend of April 25 and 26 with a packed schedule of outdoor activities, cultural events, live music, and community gatherings across the city and nearby parishes. Many events are free or low-cost, offering options for a wide range of interests.
On Saturday, April 25, the Hawk’s Route launches in Jima at 10:00, combining nature, history, and local production. The route includes a visit to the San Miguel church, a stop at a dairy factory, and a three-hour hike to Huinara Hill, along with bird watching and refreshments.
Also starting at 10:00, Plaza San Francisco hosts the closing gala for the 14th anniversary of the Yawarkanchik Andean Dance group. The performance runs until 14:00 and features traditional dance with characters and symbols rooted in the Andean worldview. Guest groups, including Takiwan Traditional Music and the Traditional Dance Group of the University of Azuay, will join in a program that blends live music, ritual dance, and contemporary Andean expression. The event marks the culmination of a week of cultural, academic, and artistic activities centered on dance, identity, and memory.
Elsewhere, the Cowboy Festival begins at 10:00 in Cumbe with competitions, live country music, and a fair, while the Two-Wheel Expo Fair runs from 10:00 to 21:00 at the Mall del Río Convention Center.
In the evening, Azogues hosts a cultural event starting at 18:30, followed by performances across Cuenca. Salsa de los 4 Ríos takes place at 19:00 in Plazoleta de la Merced, and the VII National Dance Circuit begins at 19:00 at the Casa de la Cultura theater. At 20:00, the University of Cuenca Symphony Orchestra performs at the Carlos Cueva Tamariz Theatre, while a live band show begins at 20:30 at Bistro Yaku.
On Sunday, April 26, activities continue with a community-focused program in Victoria del Portete starting at 10:00, featuring cultural presentations, a mural project, and an ecofair. Tarqui celebrates the fourth anniversary of its artisan, agro-productive, and gastronomic fair at the same time.
Additional events include a gastronomy talk at 13:00 in Challuabamba, the ongoing Rubik’s Cube tournament at the Eucaliptos Cultural Center, and GastroFest at the old terminal, offering food, barbecues, and live music throughout the weekend.
The variety of events makes for a lively weekend in Cuenca, with something for both residents and visitors to enjoy.