When you ask Chileans about their favorite time of year, they often say "El Dieciocho" or "las fiestas patrias." This refers to Chile's National Day and Independence Day on September 18th.
It is even more celebrated than Christmas. It is that time of year when Chileans are very happy. The smell of barbecue fills the air. Festive music plays, and patriotic flags wave in the wind. A good reason to visit Chile in September!
If you are interested in learning more about Chilean culture, food, and traditions, this is yet another reason to visit Chile during its national holiday.
Fiestas Patrias is Chile's national holiday that celebrates the country's independence and cultural heritage. It’s our most important national celebration, filled with patriotic pride, traditional food, dance, and family gatherings. While Chileans celebrate throughout the entire month of September, the official holiday takes place on September 18th. This day marks the start of Chile's quest for independence from Spain, which started in 1810.
The celebration is often called "El Dieciocho," which means "the eighteenth" in Spanish. This name shows the date of the holiday. It's a time when cities and towns in Chile come alive. People enjoy cueca dancing, empanadas, asados (barbecues), and fondas. Fondas are traditional festivals with music, games, and local food.
Fiestas Patrias goes beyond just remembering history; it’s a vibrant cultural celebration that captures the heart of Chilean identity. Whether visiting Chile in September or exploring South American events, joining in Fiestas Patrias provides a lively and unforgettable chance to engage yourself in Chilean customs and traditions and get to know the Chilean people during their most important time of the year.
Chileans love to celebrate in various ways, oftentimes bringing back old traditions and clothing. You can spot these customs during the various Chilean dance performances. Each region has its own dance and outfit, which are all very representative of the different cultures of the regions.
The official national dance is called the “cueca,” which can be seen throughout the country. Everyone enjoys dancing cueca, and many locals even compete in cueca dance competitions. Below is an example of what the dance is and what its traditional outfit looks like:
In addition to the dances and clothing, many Chileans enjoy playing games or attending barbecues and parties. Here, visitors can enjoy dancing, eating, drinking, playing games, and spending time with family and friends. Fondas can easily be found throughout the country and sometimes open up at the beginning of September.
Make sure to also check out the lively parades. In the capital city of Santiago, the military put on a huge parade on the 19th. This day is considered a national holiday as well. It commemorates the people in Chile who have given their lives to protect the country.
In order to celebrate like a Chilean, you need to eat like one! This shouldn’t be too difficult, especially with all of the delicious food during the holidays. Fiestas Patrias typically consists of a few staple foods, most of which can be found at local fondas, public parties during Fiestas Patrias.
Make sure you try:
Empanadas de Pino: A savory pastry filled with meat, onion, hard-boiled egg, and an olive. There are also empanadas de pino with “merkén,” which is a special Chilean spice. It gives the traditional pastry an extra kick! We have a recipe here on how to do traditional Empanadas de Pino.
Anticuchos: An anticucho is a mixture of meats and veggies on a stick. Chefs roast it over the grill and typically serve it with a piece of bread.
Pebre: A very simple, yet very addictive topping! Pebre is the mix of tomato, onion, cilantro, lemon, olive oil, and salt. Chileans love to put on bread, salads, or fried pastries called “sopaipillas.” To be honest, pebre seems to go with just about anything.
Choripan: This is a typical Chilean barbecue food. It is basically a sausage in a soft Chilean bread called “marraqueta.” It is typically eaten as an appetizer at barbecues and always goes great with some pebre on top!
At EcoCamp Patagonia, you can now purchase our cookbook, "A Taste of EcoCamp - Bringing Chilean Flavors to your table", which features some of our most popular recipes inspired by Chilean local cuisine.
Wash down all of these tasty treats with a traditional Chilean drink. It’s the best way to enjoy your local meal during Fiestas Patrias. Here are some favorites:
Terremoto: Chile’s Sweet but Potent Party Drink. One of the most famous drinks during Fiestas Patrias is the Terremoto. This sweet cocktail is strong and has become a favorite in Chile. Its name literally means “earthquake” in Spanish, and for good reason: after a couple of these, you might feel the ground shake beneath you! Mixing pipeño, a sweet white wine, with a splash of grenadine creates the Terremoto. It is then topped with a big scoop of pineapple ice cream. The result is a creamy, fruity drink that goes down easily—but packs a serious punch.
Cola de Mono: (literally “Monkey’s Tail”) is a classic Chilean cocktail traditionally enjoyed during Christmas, but you’ll sometimes find it making an appearance at Fiestas Patrias gatherings too—especially in the south of Chile or among families who love to keep the holiday spirit flowing year-round.
This creamy, coffee-based drink is often compared to a Chilean-style White Russian or eggnog, but with its own local twist. It’s typically made with aguardiente (a strong, clear liquor), coffee, milk, sugar, and spices like cinnamon or cloves. Served chilled, Cola de Mono is rich, sweet, and comforting—perfect for sipping with pastries or during a cozy gathering.
Chicha: No Fiestas Patrias celebration in Chile is complete without a glass of chicha, a traditional fermented alcoholic beverage that’s deeply tied to the country’s rural roots. Most commonly made from fermented grapes, Chilean chicha has a sweet, slightly tangy flavor and a lower alcohol content than wine. In southern regions, it’s also made from fermented apples, resulting in a lighter, fruitier version.
Mote con Huesillo: Wheat and Dried Peaches. This cherished traditional beverage from Chile is especially enjoyed during the summer and during the Fiestas Patrias celebrations. It consists of dried peaches (huesillos) and cooked, hulled wheat (mote) immersed in a sweet syrup infused with sugar and cinnamon. At first sight, mote con huesillo may seem unusual, but it is truly delightful and ranks among Chileans' favorite desserts. The drink has a flavor reminiscent of sugary peach juice, featuring a dried peach on top and yellow wheat settled at the bottom.
September in Chile is a special time, and the entire country celebrates Fiestas Patrias, including EcoCamp Patagonia! We always make a special dinner for this date, inspired by the food we typically eat during the Fiestas Patrias, accompanied by organic, Chilean wine.
For our staff who are away from their loved ones, we organize extra activities, including fun games and traditional barbecues, to help them feel at home, even when they're far from home, on this Chilean national day.
If you are planning to visit us in September, there are also other activities happening that month, like the Patagonian International Marathon and Ultra Paine.
Do you want more information? Visit cascada.travel and learn about our program
