Events, Fiestas, Festivals and Holidays in South America
Holidays, fiestas and festivals, whether religious or secular, hold a favored place in Latin American culture. Some, like Easter or Semana Santa, are celebrated throughout the continent. Others are country specific. Enjoy them all!
Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday Dates
The dating for the Easter celebrations in the Christian church has long been a matter of some discussion and controversy depending on the dating calendar in use.
The dating for the Easter celebrations in the Christian church has long been a matter of some discussion and controversy depending on the dating calendar in use.
Festivals and Holidays by Date
This list is by no means complete, but most of the major events celebrated in the South American countries are listed here, by date.
This list is by no means complete, but most of the major events celebrated in the South American countries are listed here, by date.
Festivals throughout the Year in South America
Browse through the calendar of events by country for an event during your travels.
Browse through the calendar of events by country for an event during your travels.
Bastille Day in South America?
French Guiana is a department of France, not an independent nation, and celebrates the storming of the Bastille in the French way: lots of good food and wine!
French Guiana is a department of France, not an independent nation, and celebrates the storming of the Bastille in the French way: lots of good food and wine!
Carnaval!
Carnaval came to South America from Europe as celebrations before the beginning of the forty day Lenten season of fasting and prayer. These late winter celebrations in Europe gave root to the high-summer frenzy of carnaval in South America.
Carnaval came to South America from Europe as celebrations before the beginning of the forty day Lenten season of fasting and prayer. These late winter celebrations in Europe gave root to the high-summer frenzy of carnaval in South America.
Dia de la Raza
October 12 (or the nearest Monday to it) is traditionally observed throughout the Americas as the day Christopher Columbus arrived in 1492.
October 12 (or the nearest Monday to it) is traditionally observed throughout the Americas as the day Christopher Columbus arrived in 1492.
Dia de Todos los Santos
Día de Todos Santos, or All Saints Day, is celebrated throughout Latin America in conjunction with All Souls Day as a reaffirmation of life and a way to honor saints and the dead.
Día de Todos Santos, or All Saints Day, is celebrated throughout Latin America in conjunction with All Souls Day as a reaffirmation of life and a way to honor saints and the dead.
Dia del Trabajador
If you are traveling in Latin America on the first day of May, you can expect to find banks, government offices, stores, post offices and businesses closed for the day as people celebrate the International Worker's Day.
If you are traveling in Latin America on the first day of May, you can expect to find banks, government offices, stores, post offices and businesses closed for the day as people celebrate the International Worker's Day.
Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria
The festival, sometimes lasting days, is a mix of Christian and pagan religions and is celebrated in Bolivia, Peru, Uruguay, Chile and Venezuela on February 2.
The festival, sometimes lasting days, is a mix of Christian and pagan religions and is celebrated in Bolivia, Peru, Uruguay, Chile and Venezuela on February 2.
Semana Santa
Semana Santa, Holy Week, is the most important religious festival in South America. The most famous week-long celebrations are in Peru, Chile and Colombia.
Semana Santa, Holy Week, is the most important religious festival in South America. The most famous week-long celebrations are in Peru, Chile and Colombia.