Chile's year peaks at the Fiestas Patrias on 18 and 19 September — independence and the army day — which together form the dieciocho, the longest national break of the year.

How people take the days

When the dieciocho falls midweek, the government frequently declares extra days off, producing breaks of up to five days. Many firms simply close for the week.

If you're visiting

Fondas and ramadas fill parks with cueca dancing, empanadas and terremoto. Almost everything else closes, including supermarkets on 18 September itself.

If you live here

Some holidays are irrenunciable — retail workers legally cannot be asked to work them, so shops and malls genuinely shut on 1 May, 18 September, 25 December and 1 January.

Nearby countries

Neighbours of Chile — see their holidays, or compare the two calendars side by side.

What these days actually mean

Observance, business closures and transport impact for the next few dates.

Reformation Day

31 Oct 2026

Public

Observance: Officially recognised as a public holiday, so most people have the day off work.
Business: Expect offices, banks and the majority of shops to be closed.
Transport: Public transport usually runs a Sunday or holiday timetable.

General guidance based on this day's official classification, not country-specific reporting.

All Saints Day

1 Nov 2026

Public

Observance: Families visit cemeteries with flowers and candles. Quiet and reflective rather than festive.
Business: Banks and most shops closed in Catholic-majority countries; florists do their busiest day of the year.
Transport: Extra services to cemeteries; heavy intercity travel over the weekend.

Immaculate Conception

8 Dec 2026

Public

Observance: Officially recognised as a public holiday, so most people have the day off work.
Business: Expect offices, banks and the majority of shops to be closed.
Transport: Public transport usually runs a Sunday or holiday timetable.

General guidance based on this day's official classification, not country-specific reporting.

Christmas Day

25 Dec 2026

Public

Observance: The central Christian winter feast; in most countries the household gathering matters more than the church service.
Business: Near-total closure of retail, offices and banks. Expect the preceding afternoon to shut early too.
Transport: Skeleton or suspended services in many countries. Book intercity travel well ahead.