> Events, Fiestas, Holidays>  Holidays in Chile

Chile's Fiestas Patrias
Chile's Fiestas Patrias celebrate Chile's independence from Spain and run for a week prior to the Dieciocho festivities on September 18, with regional activities such as the Pampilla de Coquimbo, Semana del Folclor and other events celebrating Chilenidad.

Cuasimodo Celebrations - Correr a Cristo
The Santiago metropolitan area re-enacts the tradition of armed huasos guarding parish priests in colonial times, who went forth to take the Holy Sacraments to the elderly and infirm who couldn't get to church on Easter Sunday, with a Mass and processions.

Fiesta de la Virgen de las 40 Horas
The small city of Limache swells to three or four times its population in the last week of February when penitents and the faithful flock to the city for the annual celebrations of the La Virgen de las 40 Horas, the Feast of the Virgin of 40 Hours.

Fiesta de San Sebastian de Yumbel
Every January 20 and March 20, thousands of pilgrims journey to Yumbel, in Chile's spectacular Lake District to participate in the Feast Day of San Sebastián, the patron saint of archers, soldiers, enemies of religion and others. The celebrations are colorful and pious.

Glorias Navales
Chile annually celebrates the naval victories of the War of the Pacific on May 21. The Battle of Iquique and the capture of the iron monitor Huáscar were major turning points in the war with Peru and Bolivia.

La Fiesta Grande - Andacollo, Chile
Andacollo is a small town in central Chile and the annual Fiesta Grande, a religious gathering on December 24-26 to worship the patron saint of local mines, La Virgen del Rosario (The Virgin of the Rosary), brings thousands of worshippers who also enjoy the secular festivities associated with the fiesta.