Holidays in Chile

Chile is a country with a rich and unique history, so its culture is very diverse. Chileans differ in their openness and ability to rejoice even on the most cloudy day, so their holidays are always bright and fun. There are 15 national holidays in the country, some of them religious, which are observed modestly and with observance of all traditions. But most of them are civilians, who mark everything from small to large and pass it quite violently.

Religious holidays

Most of the population of Chile professes Catholicism, so they celebrate all major Catholic holidays.

1. The day of Peter and Paul . On that day, worship is held, and Catholics are fasting. Basically, these traditions are observed only by those who regularly attend the temple.
2. Day of the Virgin Carmen, July 16 . This day in Chile is very noisy, as more than 200 thousand people descend from the mountains to the seaport of Tirana near the town of Iquique . It is here that a religious festival is held, dedicated to the patron saint of the country. Day and night in a few streets of the city is full of life. People dressed in national costumes dance and are treated to delicious dishes. Here they arrange a small performance. This is a very entertaining holiday and it is important to remember that everything that is going on here is dedicated to Virgo Carmen, therefore all participants' actions and thoughts come from the heart and are very sincere.
3. Ascension of the Virgin Mary, August 15 . On this day the Chileans bring to the churches and chapels the fruits of the first harvest. The next day, there are divine services and theatrical performances. In general, the holiday is quite fun, although not noisily by Chilean standards.
4. National Day of Evangelical and Protestant Churches, October 31 . Believers, about 20% of the population, celebrate them according to the traditions of their churches, most of the population does not participate in it, but does not condemn.
5. The Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, December 8 . This day is very important for Orthodox, Protestants, Old Catholics and Old Believers. Therefore, people of different faith gather in honor of the holiday in almost all the churches of the country.
6. The Nativity of Christ, December 25 . Preparation for the holiday begins long before him, from the end of November. For four weeks Catholics attend the church, pray, restore order in their homes and decorate them. And they also pick up gifts for their loved ones. Unbelieving Chileans perform only the last part of the preparations, so in all stores one can see happy people choosing gifts and decorations for the house.

Festivals and civil holidays

1. New Year in Chile, is celebrated on January 1, as in all civilized countries of the world. It was during this period that the country has a lot of tourists. Chile is so amazing country that the new year can be found here in the snowy mountains or on the ocean shore under the scorching sun. The indigenous population prefers to celebrate on golden sand or on the main streets of the capital.

   But there are regions in Chile where the celebration of the New Year is much more exotic than one can imagine. In the city of Talca, for more than 20 years , a ceremonial church mass has been held on January 1 , after which they go to the cemetery. Visiting the graves of their loved ones, people, as it were, help to start the new year in the next world.

   In the city of Marchive, the New Year is no less extravagant. Firstly, it is celebrated on the night of 23 to 24 June . The family gathers around the fire and begins to "celebrate", telling terrible stories about their relatives or terrible family legends. After that, the whole family goes to the nearest pond to bathe. This tradition is already several hundred years, so you can only imagine how many stories are told around the fire, because the heroes of the legends are the ancestors who lived more than two or three centuries ago. Not all families are ready to invite an occasional guest to the fire, and not every traveler agrees to such a New Year.

2. In February, the Chileans held a music festival in the city of Viña del Mar. This is a well-known resort town, perhaps such an influx of tourists and made this festival even more vivid and cheerful. During the last week of the month, performances of music groups from all over the world take place in the city, and not infrequently you can meet well-known bands. During the festival of arts there is a lot of competitions for children and adults, which give a certain excitement to the audience.
3. After the Music Festival in the north of the country, the Carnaval of Andino Con la Fuersa del Sol opens. For three days, the dancers dance in the streets, the musicians sing and most interestingly, they are dressed in national costumes of several peoples: Spaniards, Indians, Peruvians and Bolivians. This is a very colorful and cheerful sight.
4. No less interesting festival takes place in January in Santiago - "Santiago for thousands" . It is dedicated to the theatrical art and its "obedient servants". Once a year dozens of actors, directors and other cultural figures come to the capital of Chile. But on this holiday there is a place for street actors and circus performers who show their numbers, than they win the attention and respect of the public. Usually street artists prepare for this event long before the start, so their performances are always at a high level.
5. In September, Chileans celebrate Independence Day . On the 18th , parades and air shows are held in all cities, and in the evening exhibitions, festivals, concerts and fairs. On this day, the Day of the Armed Forces is also celebrated, both holidays are very important for the Chileans, that's why a table with delicacies is set in each house. Tourists should be prepared for the fact that during this period the local population has four days of official holidays, so all the shops are closed.