What's on in Santiago, Chile through the year

Peak crowds — the editor's peak month, Summer holidays in Chile

Nothing new starts in January.

Still on: High Andes routes open (1 Dec – 31 Mar (usually))

Peak crowds — the editor's peak month, Summer holidays in Chile

Nothing new starts in February.

Still on: High Andes routes open (1 Dec – 31 Mar (usually))

Busy — between the peaks, Summer holidays in Chile

• Nature

  Vendimia, the grape harvest

  1 Mar – 15 Apr · usually

  The valleys either side of the city bring in the harvest through March and hold their own festivals for it; hot days and cold nights all month.

Still on: High Andes routes open (1 Dec – 31 Mar (usually))

Shoulder season — between the peaks

Nothing new starts in April.

Still on: Vendimia, the grape harvest (1 Mar – 15 Apr (usually))

Shoulder season — between the peaks

• Hazard

  Winter smog episodes

  1 May – 31 Aug · usuallySmoke season

  The valley traps the city's air under an inversion and the authorities declare alert, pre-emergency or emergency days, restricting wood burning and traffic. Source ↗

Quiet — the editor's quiet month, Winter holidays in Chile

• Opening

  Andes resorts open

  14 JunSki season

  Valle Nevado, El Colorado and Farellones aim to open in the middle of June, an hour above the city, and usually run to early October. Source ↗

• Season

  Ski season

  14 Jun – 4 Oct · usually

  Lifts an hour from the centre, best in August, on a road of forty switchbacks that closes for snow and requires chains more often than visitors expect.

Still on: Winter smog episodes (1 May – 31 Aug (usually))

Quiet — the editor's quiet month, Winter holidays in Chile

Nothing new starts in July.

Still on: Winter smog episodes (1 May – 31 Aug (usually)), Ski season (14 Jun – 4 Oct (usually))

Quiet — one of its worst months for weather

Nothing new starts in August.

Still on: Winter smog episodes (1 May – 31 Aug (usually)), Ski season (14 Jun – 4 Oct (usually))

Busy — between the peaks, Fiestas Patrias

• Holiday

  Fiestas Patrias

  16–21 SepNational holidayClosuresCrowded

  18 and 19 September, and in practice most of the week: fondas, cueca and barbecue, with shops shut, roads out of the city jammed and flights domestically full. Source ↗

Still on: Ski season (14 Jun – 4 Oct (usually))

Shoulder season — between the peaks

• Nature

  Wine country in flower

  15 Oct – 30 Nov · usuallyWildflowers & blooms

  The vines come into leaf and flower in the Maipo and Casablanca valleys while the Andes still hold snow, which is the postcard the city rarely gets in summer.

Still on: Ski season (14 Jun – 4 Oct (usually))

Shoulder season — between the peaks

Nothing new starts in November.

Still on: Wine country in flower (15 Oct – 30 Nov (usually))

Peak crowds — the editor's peak month, Summer holidays in Chile

• Season

  High Andes routes open

  1 Dec – 31 Mar · usuallyTrail season

  The passes and the trekking above the city, including the approaches on the way to Aconcagua, are only open through the southern summer.