Government offices and most businesses close on national holidays, more than half of which are religious observations. Traditionally, many Chileans take “sandwich holidays” between actual holidays and the weekend, but the government is attempting to eliminate the practice by moving some holidays to the nearest Monday.

The year’s first major event is Semana Santa (Holy Week), culminating in Pascua (Easter Sunday), but it’s a relatively sober and earnest observation compared with, say, its colorful counterpart in Guatemala. From Maundy Thursday through Sunday, though, it’s a major travel time, when prices rise for accommodations and demand can be high—reservations may be advisable.

Chileans celebrate mid-September’s patriotic holidays with parades, military marches, and gatherings in public parks.

November 2’s Día de Todos los Santos, also known as Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), is when Chileans visit the graves of their departed and leave them elaborate flower arrangements, among other tributes. Though less spectacular than its Mexican counterpart, it can still be impressive.

• January 1: Año Nuevo (New Year’s Day)
• March/April (moveable): Semana Santa (Easter Week)
• May 1: Día del Trabajo (International Labor Day)
• May 21: Glorias Navales (naval Battle of Iquique)
• May 30: Corpus Christi
• June 29: Día de San Pedro y San Pablo (Saint Peter and Saint Paul’s Day)
• August 15: Asunción de la Virgen (Assumption)
• September 18: Día de la Independencia Nacional (Independence Day)
• September 19: Día del Ejército (Armed Forces Day)
• October 12: Día de la Raza (Columbus Day)
• November 2: Todo los Santos (All Saints’ Day)
• December 8: Inmaculada Concepción (Immaculate Conception)
• December 25: Navidad (Christmas Day)

Several unofficial festivals take place throughout the year. One worth special attention is mid-July’s weeklong Festival de la Virgen del Carmen, when tens of thousands of celebrants converge on the Norte Grande hamlet of La Tirana for the country’s most important popular religion fiesta. Another colorful event is December 26’s Fiesta de la Virgen de Andacollo in the Norte Chico, though it’s more official than La Tirana.