La Virgen de la Candelaria is a traditional festival occuring in the month of February in the town of Puno, Peru. Near the shore of the Titicaca lake, the town celebrates its patron, the Virgin of the Candelaria with 18 days of celebrations, including numerous parades across town. The heavily decorated costumes and energetic dances make this celebration a wonder for the public, but a difficult exercice for the performers.