Summer has arrived in Chile and, for many, holidays are about to begin. The good weather and the amount of people moving around the country are perfect for a number of outdoor festivals to take over Chile.
Some are already consolidated events and others are having their first versions, but there is no doubt that these festivals will improve your summer experience. If you are visiting northern, southern or central Chile this summer, here you will find some festivals you can enjoy with friends or family.
Santiago a Mil Festival
This festival is already a classic in the capital. The arts take the streets of Santiago for the better part of the month of January, definitely an interesting opportunity for those staying or visiting the city during the month. The festival offers a great number of activities at different times of the day, so it’s perfect for everyone.
Tapati Rapa Nui
An ancient celebration, this is the most important cultural festival in Easter Island. During Tapati, the people are divided into two clans to represent the different historic casts of the island. They will compete for days and nights in ancient sports, showing their physical and artistic abilities in traditional rituals. To finish the celebration, there is a multitudinous parade and the Tapati Queen is crowned.
Huemul Route Festival
Each year, the last weekend in January sees a festivals that promotes the protection of the huemul, animal that is part of Chile’s national emblem and an endangered species. Movies, seminars, music and typical food are part of the cultural activities that accompany the festival. A hiking trip of two days gathers nature and ecotourism enthusiasts: the route goes through the Patagonia Park and Tamango National Reserve in honour to the Chilean deer.
Getting there: from Puerto Montt you will have to head south for approximately 1.100 kms. on the Carretera Austral, or you can take a bus in Coyhaique.
Nómade Festival
The Nómade Festival takes places in the coast of the Los Lagos region, near Purranque, specifically in the Mapu Lahual reserve, and here Mapuche culture, ecotourism and Latin American electronic music get together. An incredible experience where you will meet people from all over the world. To get to the festival you must do a wonderful trekking of about 10 kms. through the Coastal Range. Certainly, a festival perfect for adventurous people.
Surfbeats Festival Pichilemu
During the month of February Pichilemu is home to a festival focused on surfing, with competitions and exhibitions, and live Chilean music. The festival ends with ecological activities, such as cleaning the beaches of Pichilemu after receiving hundreds of people.
Carnaval Andino con la Fuerza del Sol
Arica transforms itself in a multicultural city in mid-February, filled with colours and different rhythms. People from Chile, Bolivia and Perú get together and dance non-stop for a whole weekend. The colourful costumes they use in their dances are surprising. This festival repeats every year and it’s already a must if you visit northern Chile.
