The Fiestas Patrias (literally Homeland Holidays)Collins Spanish to English Dictionary, patrio. of Chile consist of two days, with a third one added on some years: 18 September, in commemoration of the proclamation of the First Governing Body of 1810, and marking the beginning of the Chilean Independence process. 19 September, known as the "Day of the Glories of the Army". Since 2007, 17 September (if it should be a Monday) or 20 September (if it should be a Friday) will be included as well. Since 2017, 17 September (if it should be a Friday) will also be included.
Within Chile the Fiestas Patrias are often referred to as the Dieciocho, or "18th" because the celebration occurs on 18 September. Unofficially, the celebration can last for around a week, depending on when it falls. For example, if the 18th is a Wednesday, public holidays are from Wednesday the 18th to Friday the 20th and celebrations begin the afternoon of Tuesday the 17th and continue until Sunday the 22nd. It is held close to the spring equinox of the Southern Hemisphere so it doubles as a spring festival. Chile's Declaration of Independence happened on 12 February. Most schools and jobs declare a week-long vacation for the holiday. This day is very important to the Chilean people because they are celebrating their freedom from Spanish rule.
The original purpose of 18 September was to celebrate the anniversary of the First National Government Junta (18 September 1810). Likewise, other patriotic public holidays were added: 5 April (Battle of Maipú, 1818) in 1819, and 12 February (Declaration of Independence, 1818) in 1821. In 1837, following the repeal of 5 April as a public holiday and the reduction of celebrations on 12 February, the purpose of 18 September became the commemoration of the process of independence from the Spanish Crown and the formation of Chile as a nation-state.Peralta C., Paulina (2007). ¡Chile tiene fiesta! El origen del 18 de septiembre (1810-1837) (1st ed.). Santiago: LOM. .
In its early years, the National Holidays lasted several days. Law No. 2977 of 1 February 1915 officially fixed them as two days in September: the 18th, “commemoration of National Independence,” and the 19th, “celebration of all the glories of the Army”, both of which are among the country’s five mandatory and non-waivable public holidays,Ministry of the Interior. «Ley 19973: Establece feriados». Biblioteca del Congreso Nacional de Chile. Retrieved 26 December 2025. meaning that paid work is prohibited, except for certain entertainment services (cabarets, casinos, cinemas, clubs, discotheques, pubs, and restaurants) and emergency services (pharmacies).Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare (14 September 2007). «Ley 20215: Modifica normas relativas a los trabajadores dependientes del comercio en los periodos de Fiestas Patrias, Navidad y otras festividades». Biblioteca del Congreso Nacional de Chile. Retrieved 26 December 2025. During these festivities, the hoisting of the Chilean flag is mandatory on all public and private buildings throughout the country.
To commemorate Chile’s independence, national authorities attend four official events: the Evangelical Thanksgiving Service (Servicio de Acción de Gracias evangélico), the Ecumenical Te Deum (Te Deum evangélico), the Presidential Gala (Gala presidencial), and the Military Parade (Parada Militar). The National Holidays highlight customs and traditions typical of national identity, known collectively as chilenidad (Chilean-ness), and constitute the most important celebrations in Chile and among Chilean communities abroad. During this period, fondas or ramadas are set up as entertainment venues, combining folk music and dance with traditional dishes and beverages of Chilean cuisine.
Activities The celebration of Fiestas Patrias is an expression of Chilean culture. Traditional activities associated with the Dieciocho include dancing the cueca, going to fondas, and barbecue. Officially, activities on September eighteen are centered on a religious celebration "Te Deum Ecuménico de Fiestas Patrias". This ceremony, which is organized by the Catholic Church and led by the Archbishop of Santiago, has taken place since 1811 when it was started by José Miguel Carrera. In 1971, President Salvador Allende asked that the celebration become more ecumenical, encompassing the diverse religious beliefs throughout the country. The ceremony itself begins at 11:00 am in the Plaza de Armas. Military parades and civil school parades are held on this day in major cities and towns nationwide. Many Chileans travel during the Fiestas Patrias to visit family, friends and relatives in other parts of the country and join the celebrations there. In Santiago, many people travel to resorts on the Pacific coast, especially Viña del Mar and the Litoral Central region. It is estimated that 2 million Chileans—nearly one-eighth of the country's population—travel during this holiday.
19 September, the anniversary of the installation of the First Government Council and the very first military parade in Chilean history, marks the grand finale: the Great Military Parade of Chile commemorating the glories of the Chilean Army, on Santiago's O'Higgins Park and overseen by the President of Chile in his/her performance of his/her constitutional mandate as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. Attracting millions of people, and simulcast live on radio, television and on the Internet, the parade, led by the Chilean Armed Forces (Chilean Army, Chilean Navy and Chilean Air Force) and the Carabineros de Chile, plus since 2019 the Investigations Police of Chile, takes place in the afternoon, and (when 19 September is a Sunday, Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday) marks the end of the holiday.
Official activities To commemorate the independence of Chile, the country’s authorities attend four official events: the Evangelical Thanksgiving Service, the Ecumenical Te Deum, the presidential gala, and the military parade.
Evangelical Thanksgiving Service
On the Sunday immediately preceding the Fiestas Patrias, the Evangelical Thanksgiving Service (Servicio de Acción de Gracias evangélico) of the Union of Evangelical Churches of Chile is held, popularly known as the Evangelical Te Deum (Te Deum evangélico). The main authorities of the country attend this ceremony, led by the President of the Republic.
This ceremony was established in 1975, and in 1997 the government of Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle designated it as one of the four official activities of the Chilean government to commemorate the country’s independence.
This service has traditionally brought together members of Evangelical and Methodist Pentecostal churches, which for doctrinal reasons do not participate in the Ecumenical Te Deum. It was held at the Evangelical Cathedral of Chile (1975–2018), the main temple of the First Methodist Pentecostal Church of Chile (Primera Iglesia Metodista Pentecosta de Chile), and later at the International Christian Center (2019–2021). From 2022 onward, its organization has been assumed by the Methodist Pentecostal Church of Chile (IMPCH), led by Pastor Edmundo Zenteno Céspedes.
Additionally, the Jewish community residing in the country holds the “Tefilá por Chile” (Prayer for Chile) at the synagogue of the Sephardic Israeli community.
Ecumenical Te Deum
Chile is one of the few countries in which a Te Deum, a hymn of praise to God originally performed as the concluding part of a Mass of thanksgiving—is celebrated in connection with its national holiday.
On 18 September 1811, a ceremony consisting of a “solemn Mass, sermon [delivered by the Dominican friar José María Torres], Te Deum, and three artillery salutes” was held to commemorate the first anniversary of the First National Government Junta. Since then, the Chilean Catholic Church has traditionally officiated a thanksgiving ceremony at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago on the morning of 18 September, attended by the country’s main authorities and headed by the President of the Republic.
In 1870, the Eucharist was removed from the ceremony at the request of Minister Miguel Luis Amunátegui, as fasting by attendees was required in order to celebrate it. In November 1970, President Salvador Allende requested the inclusion of other Christian denominations in the ceremony beginning in 1971, thereby granting it the ecumenical character it maintains to this day.
Presidential Gala
On the evening of 18 September, the authorities move to the Municipal Theatre of Santiago, where an operatic gala is held, in keeping with a tradition established in 1910,Vial Correa, Gonzalo (2003). Historia de Chile en el siglo XX (1.ª edición). Santiago: Las Últimas Noticias. when Aida by Giuseppe Verdi was performed. For the Bicentennial of Chile, Rigoletto, also by Verdi, was presented.
This event traces its origins to the formal ballroom dances held at La Moneda Palace to celebrate 18 September. The first of these took place on 30 September 1812 and was organized by José Miguel Carrera:Amunátegui, Miguel Luis (1870). Los precursores de la Independencia de Chile. vol. 3. Santiago."[S]e eligieron tres suntuosos salones, que se destinaron, el primero [adornado con] 400 luces, para el baile de los convidados; otro, a la derecha [para] el ramillete [y] otro a la izquierda [para] la cena [...] El baile comenzó a las ocho de la noche por una contradanza general [...] Duró esta diversión toda la noche hasta las 6 de la mañana siguiente y para proporcionar el gusto y desahogo, alternativamente con los bailes se entonaban por el joven La Sala [...] canciones patrióticas[. Asistieron 61 señoras y no más de 200 hombres]."Three sumptuous halls were selected: the first, adorned with 400 lights, was reserved for the guests’ dance; another, to the right, for refreshments; and another to the left, for dinner [...] The ball began at eight in the evening with a general contredanse [...] This entertainment lasted all night until six the following morning, and to provide variety and enjoyment, patriotic songs were alternated with the dances, performed by the young La Sala [...] Sixty-one ladies attended, and no more than 200 men.Talavera, Manuel Antonio (s/f). «Quinta y Última Parte. Contiene desde el 18 de septiembre de 1811 hasta el 20 de noviembre del mismo año, y una descripción del baile en la Casa de Moneda en septiembre de 1812, a modo de apéndice». Revoluciones de Chile. Discurso histórico, diario imparcial, de los sucesos memorables acaecidos en Santiago de Chile por un vecino testigo ocular.On some occasions, instead of an opera, the presidential gala has consisted of a symphonic concert or a ballet. In 2014, a selection of musical works by Luis Advis, Vicente Bianchi, and Alfonso Leng was performed, while in 2024 the Santiago Philharmonic Orchestra performed Andante appassionato by Enrique Soro and Symphony No. 9 in D minor by Ludwig van Beethoven. In 2025, the Ballet of Santiago and the Santiago Philharmonic Orchestra presented the ballet Giselle by Adolphe Adam.
Military parade
Following the creation of the Military Academy in 1817, military reviews and exercises, combat simulations, and “clearances” (despejes), as military parades were then known were held on the Llano de Portales. These spectacles were among the most attractive and well-attended public events during the early years of the Republic.