There are 16 public holidays in Chile in 2023, four of which fall on weekends.
New Year's Day
New Year Holiday, celebrated on January 1, 2023, is the first day of the year on the modern Gregorian calendar, and it is one of the most popular holidays in the world.
Good Friday
Good Friday is a Christian holiday celebrating the crucifixion of Jesus and his death at Calvary. It is observed on Friday immediately preceding Easter Sunday. In 2023, Good Friday is celebrated on April 7, 2023.
Holy Saturday
Holy Saturday is the day before Easter Sunday and after Good Friday, and it is a public holiday in many countries. It falls on April 8, 2023.
Labour Day
Labour Day is observed on May 1, 2023, and it celebrates the achievements of workers. The holiday originates in the eight-hour day movement, which is eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation, and eight hours for rest.
Navy Day
Navy Day, observed on May 21, 2023, commemorates the Battle of Iquique at the Peruvian port of Iquique during the war of the Pacific. The battle occurred between a Chilean corvette and a Peruvian ironclad on May 21, 1879. The Peruvian ironclad sank the Chilean wooden corvette and won the battle.
National Day of Indigenous Peoples
The holiday, observed on June 21, 2023, is a holiday recognizing the indigenous communities in the country and the importance of their cultures, languages, and traditions. It is observed on the Winter Equinox in the Southern Hemisphere.
St. Peter and Paul
The Feast of St. Peter and Paul, observed on June 26, 2023, commemorates the martyrdom in Rome of the apostles Saint Peter and Saint Paul. Saint Peter was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ. Saint Paul was not one of the Twelve Apostles, but he was a Christian apostle who spread the teachings of Jesus in the first century. If this holiday falls on a day other than Saturday, Sunday or Monday, the holiday is usually held on the nearest Monday.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Our Lady of Mount Carmel is one of the titles given to the Blessed Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus, and she is the patroness of the Carmelite Order. The Carmelites considered the Blessed Virgin Mary to be perfect and the closest in life to Jesus Christ. The first Carmelites lived on Mount Carmel during the 12th century, and they built the chapel dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. The holiday falls on July 16, 2023.
Assumption of Mary
Assumption Day commemorates the day that the bodily taking up of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus, into Heaven. The holiday is observed on August 15, 2023.
Independence Day
Independence Day commemorates the anniversary when Chile declared independence from Spain on September 18, 1810, although total freedom was achieved 8 years later in 1818. The holiday is observed on September 18, 2023.
Great Military Parade of Chile
The Great Military Parade of Chile celebrates the anniversary of the inauguration of the First Government Junta, the organization established to rule Chile after the imprisonment of King Ferdinand VII. Establishing the First Government Junta was considered the early step in the Chilean struggle for independence. It is observed on September 19, 2023.
Day of the Races
The holiday is the same as Columbus Day in the United States. It is to celebrate the discovery of the Americas when Christopher Columbus first arrived in the Americas on October 12, 1492. Some cities started celebrating this day as Indigenous Peoples' Day to recognize Indigenous peoples' cultures and contributions. In Chile, it is called the Day of the Races and is observed on October 09, 2023.
Reformation Day
Reformation Day, observed on October 27, 2023, commemorates when German monk Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-five Theses, a list of propositions against the Catholic Church for excesses and corruption, on the door of the All Saints' Church in Wittenberg on October 31, 1517.
All Saints' Day
All Saints' Day is observed on November 1, 2023, and commemorates all the saints from Christian history, including those known and unknown.
Immaculate Conception Day
The holiday is observed on December 8, 2023, and it celebrates the Virgin Mary has been free of original sin from the moment of her conception.
Christmas Day
Christmas Day is celebrated on December 25, 2023, and commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Christmas Day is a holiday of sharing. People exchange Christmas gifts and cards with families and friends.
The following is the list of public holidays in Chile 2023.
| Holiday | Date | Weekday | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Jan 01, 2023 | Sunday | Public Holiday |
| Good Friday | Apr 07, 2023 | Friday | Public Holiday |
| Holy Saturday | Apr 08, 2023 | Saturday | Public Holiday |
| Labour Day | May 01, 2023 | Monday | Public Holiday |
| Navy Day | May 21, 2023 | Sunday | Public Holiday |
| National Day of Indigenous Peoples | Jun 21, 2023 | Wednesday | Public Holiday |
| St. Peter and Paul | Jun 26, 2023 | Monday | Public Holiday |
| Our Lady of Mount Carmel | Jul 16, 2023 | Sunday | Public Holiday |
| Assumption of Mary | Aug 15, 2023 | Tuesday | Public Holiday |
| Independence Day | Sep 18, 2023 | Monday | Public Holiday |
| Great Military Parade of Chile | Sep 19, 2023 | Tuesday | Public Holiday |
| Day of the Races | Oct 09, 2023 | Monday | Public Holiday |
| Reformation Day | Oct 27, 2023 | Friday | Public Holiday |
| All Saints' Day | Nov 01, 2023 | Wednesday | Public Holiday |
| Immaculate Conception Day | Dec 08, 2023 | Friday | Public Holiday |
| Christmas Day | Dec 25, 2023 | Monday | Public Holiday |
Please also check the working days in Chile in 2023.