Fiestas Patrias Santiago 2024

Fiestas Patrias Santiago 2024

The Fiestas Patrias is the most important, festive, and purely Chilean holiday. Fiestas Patrias marks the historical beginning of the independence process for Chile and celebrates the Chilean armed forces, respectively. Fiestas Patrias is the most widely celebrated annual event in the country. The festival is held close to the spring equinox of the Southern Hemisphere and doubles as a spring festival.

• Are you visiting Santiago for Fiestas Patrias? Stay in the Bellavista district, home to the city’s best gay bars and clubs. The Aubrey is a gay owned hotel boutique hotel rated “Superb” by guests with beautiful decor and just steps from the bustling life of Bellavista.

The Festival

• There are many ways to experience Fiestas Patrias in Santiago, and they almost all include barbeque food, folk music and dance called La Cueca Chilena, and Chilean wine. Make sure you visit at least one Fonda, a public celebration typically held in temporary venues. Some of the most famous ones are at Parque Padre Hurtado and Parque Inéz de Suárez, but there are dozens more throughout Santiago.
• Typical menus inside a Fonda include empanadas, barbequed meats skewered with bread, and sweets like alfajores. The most popular drink is Chilean red wine, and the most traditional is the lightly alcoholic chicha– a cider drink made from corn or apples. Pisco, the national spirit of Chile, is served with soda and in cocktails.

The Gay Fonda

• The Gay Fonda takes place at Av LIbertador Bernadrdo O Higgins and features live acts, dancers, pop hits, reggaeton and more.

The Military Parade

• The military holds an impressive parade in Parque O’Higgins on September 19th. This officially marks the end of Fiestas Patrias. In reality, this “official” end of the celebration is rarely acknowledged. Festivities continue in one form or another until everyone needs to return to work the following week; rested, happy, and ready for the springtime.

Event Date Rules

• Within Chile, the Fiestas Patrias is known as the Dieciocho, or “18th”, because the celebration occurs on September 18th. Unofficially, the celebration can last for around a week, depending on when it falls.
• If the 18th is a Wednesday, public holidays are from Wednesday the 18th to Friday the 20th. Celebrations begin the afternoon of Tuesday the 17th and continue until Sunday the 22nd.
• In 2024, the holidays of September 18 and 19 will fall on Wednesday and Thursday respectively, so Friday the 20th will be a holiday, which will be added to the weekend of the 21st and 22nd.In this way, the XL weekend will have the following holidays:
  • Wednesday, September 18
  • Thursday September 19
  • Friday, September 20
  • Saturday September 21
  • Sunday September 22

Gay Santiago

• Santiago has one of the most diverse gay scenes in South America. Bellavista is the main gay area of Santiago, home to the majority of the city’s bars, clubs and hotels. The Neighbourhood is located northeast of the main Plaza de Armas between the Mapocho River and San Cristóbal Hill.
• Bombero Nuñez is the gay street in Bellavista and the epicentre of all things gay in Santiago. Bellavista is home to hip restaurants, art galleries and museums, a charming neighbourhood full of character with a laid back, bohemian vibe.
• Stay in the heart of Bellavista at the Hotel Boutique Castillo Rojo, a “Superb” rated hotel with stylish rooms and exceptional service.

The Bars

Gay bars don’t get busy in Santiago until after 10 pm. Most are also closed on Mondays, so when planning your night out, bear this in mind. Santiago must be home to more drag queens than anywhere we’ve ever been. It seems almost every bar hosts regular shows, so be prepared for some sassy shows! No tourist is safe.

• Station RestoBar – One of the biggest bars in Santiago with a large terrace and cute guys. Also serves delicious food.
• Contramano Restopub – Great for “La Previa”, or pre dancing drinks with cabaret shows and happy hours.
• Bar 105 – Famous for its darkroom event on Thursdays. Always busy, small but popular.
• Burdel – Sexy dancers, excellent dance floor, younger guys and two for one promo all evening.
• Farinelli  – Table seating drag shows every evening from 11 pm. Great fun.
• Dionisio – One of the oldest gay bars in Santiago with local drag acts.

The Clubs

• Ex Bunker – Busy weekend club with hot Chilean guys and a mix of ages. Open until 5 am, busy from 2 am.
• Ex Femme – Two different dance halls with Tech and Pop. Regular host to the popular Toby parties.
• Il Divino – Gay Superclub with space for 3000 people, two dance halls and a mix of music and performances. Located about 20 to 30 minutes taxi ride from Bellavista.
• Illuminati – HIpster gay club with younger guys and lots of cheesy pop music.
• Fausto Discotheque – Longest running club in Santiago with drag queens, muscle men DJs and dancers. Host of a very popular bear and otter party on Fridays.
• Limon – Popular on Mondays when everywhere else is closed with Latino hits and a pretty young crowd.
• Blondie – Large club spread out over four rooms with an alternative vibe.

Santiago also hosts a second pride event, the Open Mind Festival in November each year in Plaza Italia.

Recommended Hotels

Here are the hotels we recommend with good reviews, close to all the action:

Hotel Magnolia,  Hotel Altiplanico Bellas Artes,  The Singular Santiago, The Aubrey Boutique Hotel