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Latin Times
Latin Times
National
Mateo Moreno

Chile's Fiestas Patrias 2026: 216 Years, Kast's First Parade

Chile's President Jose Antonio Kast and his wife Maria Pia Adriasola perform the traditional Chilean dance, the cueca, during the official opening of the Fiestas Patrias national celebrations at O'Higgins Park in Santiago on September 16, 2026. (Credit: Photo by Javier Torres / AFP via Getty Images)

  • Friday, September 18, and Saturday, September 19, 2026 are non-waivable public holidays in Chile, forming a three-day weekend through Sunday — with no bridge day added to Monday this year.

  • President José Antonio Kast, in office since March 11, 2026, leads the Great Military Parade for the first time on Saturday at the elipse of Parque O'Higgins, in what the Army says is its largest lineup in 17 years, with 10,206 troops.
  • Gendarmería de Chile marches in the parade for the first time in its history — with a confirmed contingent of 94 officers, well below the "up to 300" figure floated in earlier reports.

Two Holidays, Zero Extra Days Off

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