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Home » Top 10 Must-Do Things to Celebrate Chile’s Birthday

Top 10 Must-Do Things to Celebrate Chile’s Birthday

Fiestas Patrias
Chile’s Fiestas Patrias are upon us. These are the annual celebrations of all things Chilean.
For the entire week around September 18th, Chileans across the country party and celebrate their country.
There are many traditional activities that happen during the Fiestas Patrias. Perhaps you have some favorites.
Here are my top ten favorite things to do during the Fiestas Patrias:
1. Eat an empanada. Here’s an easy cheese empanada recipe.
2. Dance la Cueca, Chile’s national dance, although I’ll admit I have to be retaught every time!
3. Go to the Chilean rodeo
4. Attend a parade.
5. Go to a fonda / ramada.
6. Eat some delicious food at a typical Chilean barbecue
7. Fly a hand-made kite.
8. Play a traditional Chilean game like Rayuela.
9. Sing Chile’s national anthem or the unofficial national anthem “Si vas para Chile”.
10. Try and count the nearly infinite number of Chilean flags I see flying everywhere.
What is your favorite thing to do to celebrate Chile’s Fiestas Patrias?

Comments

  1. Nancy says

    September 15, 2011 at 12:41 pm

    I think you’ve named them all. We were wondering if you knew of any fiestas patrias celebrations happening in Salt Lake/Provo area this weekend. We’ve gone to the one at the Cultural Celebration center in West Valley but their lines have gotten too long.

    • Pepe says

      September 15, 2011 at 3:31 pm

      @Nancy – These may good places to look for Utah based celebrations:
      http://www.chilenosutah.com/18septiembre.html
      https://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=22533404351&v=wall
      http://www.tuchileaqui.com/usautchenut.html

  2. John Howard says

    September 15, 2011 at 2:54 pm

    Personally I will be drinking pisco sours and listening to Chilean music while looking at my pictures that I took over the last 11 years. (I am retired and spend Nov. to May in Chile)

    • Pepe says

      September 15, 2011 at 3:32 pm

      @John – enjoy the celebrations! Viva Chile!

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