Chile Independence Day

September 18th marks Chile’s independence from Spain. Also known as Fiesta Patrias, Chile Independence Day is the country’s biggest holiday and while Chileans celebrate throughout September, most of the activity begins a week in advance.

But if you don’t have plans to visit Chile this month don’t worry we have included the ultimate guide for celebrating this holiday right at home.

An overview

Affectionately known as Dieciocho, Chile, most of the country has been celebrating for days if not weeks by the time September 18th comes around. Like most holidays, the calendar is packed with parades, great music and lots of food and drink.

While the holiday commemorates Chile’s first steps in fighting for independence from Spain in 1810, Chile Independence Day took 8 years for that dream to be realized in 1818. Check out our overview of this holiday.

Learn the history

After the Spain conquered the land defeating the Incans, Chile was a relatively peaceful country without much revolutionary activity.

The 1800s brought much change to South America and Spain was losing its tight grasp on much of its empire. Chileans were fairly loyal to the throne; however, had issues with governance at home. With the rise in Argentina, Chile was soon to follow. Read more about Chile’s fascinating history.

Immerse in the Culture

Pablo Neruda is considered one of Latin America’s greatest poets and a father of Chilean culture. While it was originally a pen name, Neftalí Ricardo Reyes Basoalto changed his name officially.

A luminary in his art, he is most well known for his beautiful love poems but was very active politically with a lifelong career in politics including time as a senator for the Chilean Communist Party.

Read more about this Nobel Prize winner for Literature.

Make the food

Asados, otherwise known as barbecues, play a central role in the festivities. Asados are central to family celebrations and can last into the early hours of the morning. True to tradition, men tend to stand around the barbecue while women prepare the salad, but don’t expect a lot of vegetables here as asados are those who like a lot of meat.

If you are looking for a bit more variety than pork, chicken or steak have a look at our comprehensive post on Chilean food.

Toast to the occasion
While Peru and Chile have an ongoing feud on the origin of pisco sours you can side step the debate and remain neutral with a bee line to the wine section.

Chileans believe that you should not have to pay a lot of money for a good bottle of wine, this means you can get some great table wine for under $5 in Chile but you aren’t out of luck outside the border. Concha y Toro is a popular wine both in Chile and around the world, there are also a number of other great exports to enjoy on the holiday, to learn more check out our post on the wine of Chile.

Plan a trip
Chile Independence Day While the largest holiday is Fiesta Patrias there are many holidays in Chile where you can sample a bit of the local culture. From Patagonia in the South to the Atacama Desert in the North, the terrain is vast and the culture is varied making it an ideal location all year round.