Teh 21st annual premios Luces, or “Lights Awards,” will soon spotlight Peru’s top cultural achievements, with nominations set to be unveiled February 4th. Established two decades ago as a public online poll, the awards have evolved into a nationally recognized festivity of Peruvian arts and entertainment, offering a crucial platform for recognizing talent within a landscape often challenged by limited resources [[1]]. This year’s awards will encompass eight categories-including newly added honors for Streaming Program Hosts and Influencers-and will be determined by a combination of public voting and a lifetime achievement award selected by *El Comercio* journalists [[2]], [[3]].
Peru’s vibrant arts and entertainment scene will be celebrated next month as nominations for the Premios Luces 2026, or “Lights Awards,” are revealed on February 4. The awards, now in their 21st year, began as a simple online poll called “The Best” and have grown into a nationally recognized institution recognizing excellence in Peruvian arts and culture. The annual awards uniquely empower the public to directly recognize the creators and works that thrive despite ongoing challenges in a country where cultural initiatives often require significant effort to reach audiences.
This year, voters will have the opportunity to select their favorites across eight main categories: Television, Film, Performing Arts, Music, Visual Arts, Fashion, Literature, and Digital Content. A total of 37 statuettes will be awarded, an increase of two from the previous year. New for 2026 are awards recognizing Best Streaming Program Host and Best Influencer, reflecting the growing importance of online content creation.
Nominations are determined by journalists from El Comercio, who propose candidates based on their reporting throughout the year. The selection process focuses on the most talked-about events and productions, drawing from coverage of concerts, films, books, art exhibitions, and other cultural offerings. This leads to a preliminary list of potential nominees in each subcategory, which is then refined through discussion and debate to a final list of between five and ten candidates per subcategory.
To ensure a comprehensive and representative selection, the editorial team consulted with experts in the Peruvian cultural landscape. In addition to the public vote, a special lifetime achievement award will be presented to a distinguished figure in the arts, as chosen by the newspaper itself.
Voting is open to the public and can be completed by visiting elcomercio.pe/premios-luces/. Participants will need to register for a free account on the website to submit their choices. Voters are not required to vote in every category, and a search function is available to quickly locate nominees.
Winners of the Premios Luces 2026 will be announced in the coming weeks across all platforms. The awards aim to not only honor outstanding achievements but also to encourage public engagement with Peruvian culture, strengthening the connection between artists and their audiences. Your vote makes a difference.
