Chilean Experience

This tri-continental country hosts a multitude of events and festivities: Chile’s popular festivals are many and varied. Both along its 6,435 kilometres of coastline, and in the rest of its territory, Chile celebrates its homeland in style.

Chileans and tourists from all over the world come to Chile to celebrate their Fiestas Patrias (National Holidays). These festivities are none other than the celebration of its independence and bring together religious, secular and popular celebrations. From Catholic festivities to foundation celebrations to food festivals, the country is a non-stop event.

January - New Year

Chile welcomes the New Year with a multitude of firework shows throughout the country. Among all these cities, Valparaiso’s firework tradition for the night of the 31st of December stands out, attracting thousands of people.

Locals and tourists enthusiastically celebrate the explosion of fireworks with a good glass of champagne. Everyone has their own rituals, but they are all together in a moment of excitement and joy.

February - Tapati Festival of Rapa Nui

The Tapati Festival of Rapa Nui, one of the most unique festivities in Chile, is celebrated in February in addition to the carnival. On the distant Easter Island, locals paint their bodies and dance to music. This is a traditional festival, where traditional legends are told, and where artistic and sports competitions take place.

The Valdivian week or Valdivia festivities in the south of Chile also take place in February. It celebrates of the founding of the city and includes fireworks, beer and a gastronomic feast.

But without a doubt, the month of February is intimately related to Carnival, in this case Carnavalón (Big Carnival). In Socoroma, Putre and San Miguel de Azapa there is a tradition of unearthing Ño Carnavalón. It is a symbol of fertility, fortune and joy, a character who is the starting point for the most traditional Chilean carnival.

March - Harvest festivities

During the month of March, Chileans celebrate the harvest festivities, which actually begin in the summer. During this feast, there are grape-treaders, the electing of the festival queen and a religious ceremony.

In Curicó, the oldest city to celebrate the wine festival, the ceremony that blesses the first must takes place. This is the starting gun to kick off the grape harvest festivities across the country.

April - Fiesta de la Cultura

All over Chile the Fiesta de la Cultura is celebrated during the month of April. A programme where film-makers, painters, poets, dancers and musicians are the protagonists. This great festival of culture takes place in a multitude of cities to bring art to Chileans.

The National Council for Culture and the Arts sponsors all cultural events that take place in Chile during this cultural festival.

May - Naval Glories Day

On the 21st of May, Chileans celebrate Naval Glories Day, which commemorates the naval battle of Iquique. With parades and floral offerings that adorn public buildings. Adults and children alike celebrate this tradition.

More events are held to celebrate this day in Valparaíso, Iquique, Santiago and Talcahuano.

June - New Year for the Indigenous cultures 

Between the 21st and the 24th of June the Aymara, Diaguita, Kolla, Mapuche, Quechua and Rapa Nui peoples celebrate the New Year. Indigenous cultures follow their own calendar related to harvests. They hold ancestral ceremonies and commemorate the arrival of a new annual cycle.

The festivities of San Pedro are another of the Chilean festivities that are celebrated in June. The patron saint of the sea is honoured for abundant fishing and a good sea for the shell-fishers, divers and fishermen of the country.

July - Festival of La Tirana

The festival of La Tirana, which begins on the 11th of July and ends on the 19th of July, is celebrated in Tarapacá. Every year this festival attracts thousands of pilgrims and tourists from all over the world. In this celebration, religion is mixed with indigenous tradition, dance, drums and dances to the Christian Virgin.

Also in July, the Winter Carnival takes place in Puerto Williams, better known as the Snow Festival. In Patagonia, the Winter Carnival takes to the streets to celebrate its special feast in the same month.

August - Assumption of the Virgin Mary

Within the popular celebrations of Chile, in August you can attend the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. This religious feast is also celebrated in Spain every 15th of August.

September - Fiestas Patrias

But it is in September that Chile celebrates its Fiestas Patrias, specifically on the 18th and the 19th of September. This popular festival has been celebrated since 1811 and commemorates Independence Day.

October - St. Francis of Assis

On the 4th of October, the feast of St. Francis of Assis is celebrated in different regions of Chile. It is a mixture of pagan and religious cults that combines different popular traditions of the country.

November - All Saints' Day

The 1st of November is All Saints' Day, just as in Spain. It is a holiday where believers practice their rituals, and non-believers enjoy a holiday.

December - Feast of the Virgin of Andacollo

In addition to Christmas, Chile celebrates the Feast of the Virgin of Andacollo in December. This «copper queen» has its festivities between the 24th and 26th of December. Its origin is Quechua and during the celebration there are dances in her honour and religious ceremonies.

You can now choose the dates for your trip to Chile and make them coincide with a popular festival. This beautiful country will surprise you, not only with its landscape, but also with its culture and traditions.

When you are thinking about typical Chilean dishes, or about what to eat in Chile, you inevitably associated it with South American gastronomy.  But Chile is a country of fusions of gastronomy half way between modernity and tradition.

In Chile, the typical dishes depend on the time of year, each season has its own gastronomy.  In winter, soups, stews and dishes eaten with a spoon are at the forefront.  In summer however, the food is lighter and made with fresh products.

In general, Chilean gastronomy comprises of one dish, although sometimes it is accompanied by a starter. But let's look in more detail what to eat in Chile and which are its typical dishes.

Cazuela (casserole)

This dish is a vegetable soup to which meat is added, it can be chicken, beef, or lamb.  It is a typical dish that you will find throughout the country, especially if you visit during the winter months.

Caldillo de Congrio (conger stock)

Belonging to the northern part of Chile, this is a very well-known dish.  It is a stock based on fish or crab, although it is also made with prawns and cream.

Curanto

This traditional dish is made for a minimum of 25 people, so it's more than a traditional dish, it's a celebration.  Seafood, potatoes, beef, chorizo, chicken and seaweed are cooked in an enormous hole in the ground. The hot coal is placed above the hole, giving it a mixture of very characteristic flavours.  It is typical of the south of the country and is usually made during the traditional festivals that are celebrating in the summer.

Carbonada

It is a typical Chilean winter soup which has minced meat, potatoes and noodles.  A very tasty and hearty soup which helps you to re-energise and warm up.

Pastel de Choclo (sweetcorn pie)

Of the dishes to eat in Chile, sweetcorn pie is a must-try. It is made with a corn dough (choclo) on a base of meat. Sugar is often added on top.  The mix can seem strange, but you can’t go to Chile and not try it.

Empanada de pino (pasty)

Chilean empanadas are different to other South American countries.  They are cooked in the oven, although if they are made of seafood or cheese they are sometimes fried.  The empanada de pino (pasty), however, is made from a base of meat with egg and olives.  A perfect place for trying Chilean empanadas is in the central market of Santiago.

Cancato

It is a grilled fish dish made with cheese, tomato and sausage.  This dish is typical of the Llanquihue province in the south of Chile.  Its name is of Mapuche origin and you can find it in many restaurants in the south of the country.

Chapalele

They are a dough of boiled potato, similar to a large dumpling that can be sweet or savoury.  They are boiled and served with honey or sugar in their sweet type, or with pork scratchings if they are savoury.

Charquicán

This dish from Chilean gastronomy is a traditional stew of dried meat, which also includes pumpkin, peas, corn, carrots and potatoes. Other typical ingredients are boiled Swiss chard.

Chorillana

It is a typical food based on fries with fried onion and egg, which becomes a good dish of fried egg with chips. Originating from Valparaíso, Chorillana also contains meat in some parts of the country.

Milcao

Milcao or Milcado, is a stew of grated potato to which lard is added. To make the dish, half of the potatoes are cooked and crushed whilst the other half are grated and squeezed out.  There are different varieties: Roasted, fried, curanto, pealed or potato flour Milcaos.

Valdiviano

It is a soup made to use up leftovers from a barbecue, to which potato, onion and egg are added.  A good and tasty way of not wasting food at the same time as making a delicious dish.

But, as well as all of the typical Chilean dishes that you can try, don’t forget the desserts.  In Chile there are delicacies such as Chilenitos, similar to cake or doughnuts, which are doughnuts with honey. Pan de Pascua (Easter bread), Leche nevada (‘snowy milk) or Torta curicana (curican tort) will make you drool.

Don’t forget, travelling to Chile is also a journey of discovery for your palate.  Don’t miss the chance and try all of the charms of Chilean gastronomy.

If you don't know what to buy in Chile, read our tips and advice! In Chile, there are plenty of typical products and souvenirs you can bring back as travel gifts. You can also take advantage of your trip to buy at a good price in the new Miami.

Buying souvenirs and handicrafts in Chile is very easy, as there are many places to find these products. Of all the cities in the country, Santiago is the best place to buy all kinds of Chilean handicrafts. Here you can find a sample of all the regions of the country without having to travel too much. But let's see which souvenirs of Chile will give you the most out of your purchases.

Lapis lazuli

Among the most representative products of the country is lapis lazuli. This mineral is a semiprecious stone of intense blue colour and of great aesthetic value. Lapis lazuli is typical of Chile, so you will find many handicrafts made with this mineral.

This stone is used in all types of handicrafts, but especially in jewellery. Silver bracelets, rings and pendants with lapis lazuli are also beautiful, the perfect gift as a souvenir of your trip to Chile.

Copper

Another of Chile's most emblematic typical products is copper. Chilean handicrafts use copper in many of their traditional works. In fact, Chile is the world's leading producer of copper.

Chilean artisans create objects of great value such as pots, vases, kitchen utensils and copper jewellery. Such is the mastery of their work that their products are in high demand. Chile doesn't just export copper, but also makes copper handicrafts and objects for the rest of the world.

Artisanat Mapuche

If you want a traditional Chilean souvenir, Mapuche craftsmanship won't let you down. Inspired by the native peoples of the country, they are mainly working in silver. The objects you will find are mostly reproductions of typical silverware used by the Mapuches.

Also within this typical craft are pots, plates and other kitchen utensils, made of ceramics and clay. Greda is a sandy clay used to make pots, pitchers, glasses and other objects.

Rapa Nui Handicrafts

Although this type of craft is not easy to find outside Easter Island, in Santiago de Chile there are small reproductions. You can take home a replica of the famous stones of the Moais, the giant sculptures characteristic of the island.

You can also buy bone crafts, wood carvings and other souvenirs. If you can't travel to Easter Island, you can at least take a souvenir with you. Although it is in Polynesia, Easter Island belongs to Chile, so don't miss the chance to get yourself a typical gift.

Traditional fabrics and ponchos

In Chile, just like the rest of South America, ponchos and woven blankets are also made. Wool and cotton are characteristic of traditional chamantos and ponchos. These garments together with the blankets are one of the most typical products of the country.

They also work with leather, with which they make wallets, purses and belts. Anyone of them can be a good buy, both as a gift and for personal use.

The Naughty Indian

There is a souvenir that has become very popular in the past few years, and that is the Indio picaro (naughty Indian), a wooden figurine. This wood carving represents a Mapuche Indian who, when lifted, shows a sizeable male attribute.

It must be said that this Chilean souvenir is more of a popular souvenir used as a joke than a sample of the country's craftsmanship.

Now let's see what the best places are to buy handicrafts and typical products from Chile.

Where to buy in Chile

Los Dominicos is a small village where you can find all kinds of handicrafts. The village was created in the eighties to house craftsmen and artists. Its fame increased and now there are not only handicrafts but also antiques and gourmet products. And speaking of gourmet products, it's the perfect place to try traditional dishes of Chilean cuisine.

Another perfect place to find a great variety of handicrafts is Patio Bellavista. You will find a wide range of typical Chilean products in the heart of the Bellavista district. Here you can buy everything from lapis lazuli to textiles, including leather work.

Continuing with the places where you can do your shopping, under Cerro Santa Lucía, you will find the Santa Lucía Handicrafts Fair. It is a small fair where you can find Mapuche crafts and souvenirs of Easter Island. In addition, there is a larger fair in front of that one where you can buy leather objects, silver and a variety of souvenirs.

Now you know what to buy and where to buy souvenirs from Chile. When planning your trip, remember to leave time on your shopping itinerary.