South America Festivals
Upcoming Events in South America
Events & Festivals in South America
All our holidays in South America can be 100% tailor-made, so if you'd like to plan a trip to tie in with one of the many fantastic events and festivals taking place throughout the year, you just have to ask...
We can help arrange tickets, transfers and even VIP packages to many of South America's biggest events. And, of course, if you want to arrange a wider holiday but make sure you get your dates right to fit in with a particular festival in South America, just get in touch with one of our specialist consultants and we'll let you know the best way to go about it!
Contact us about Festivals & Events
Argentina
There's plenty to keep you busy in Argentina, no matter what time of year you visit, from Bariloche's huge snow festival in the winter, to South America's largest arts festival in May.
Passover - 22-30 Apr, Buenos AiresWe offer Passover programmes in Argentina, Brazil and Peru, but there's no reason you can't combine them all, so why not enjoy a Passover with a difference in 2020?
Tango Festival - 03-23 Aug, Buenos AiresBuenos Aires is the birthplace of the tango, and every year the Buenos Aires Tango Festival celebrates that history with week-long events and competitions.
Oktoberfest - 04-14 Oct, Gral. BelgranoLike many countries in South America, Argentina has a rich German heritage, among many other nationalities, and this is celebrated each year at the huge Oktoberfest festival in Villa General Belgrano...
Trelew Eisteddfod - 31 Oct, TrelewThe annual Chubut Eisteddfod is the largest celebration of Welsh culture outside of Wales and reflects the pride in their heritage of the inhabitants of Welsh Patagonia...
Gay Pride BA - 02 Nov, Buenos AiresThe annual Gay Pride week in Buenos Aires usually takes place in November, and it's the biggest Gay Pride celebration in South America...
Bolivia
Bolivia is rich in indigenous traditions and festivals, often merged with Catholic festivals with some weird and wonderful results, like the freaky devil dancers at the Oruro Carnival...
Fiesta Gran Poder - 21-22 May, La PazBolivia's largest single festival, the Fiesta del Gran Poder takes over the whole of La Paz for two days in May, as 30,000 dancers and 400,000 spectators take to the streets...
Brazil
Carnival is an obvious high point of the year in Brazil, but did you know that New Year's Eve in Rio is an even bigger party? Or that in the north-east Bumba Meu Boi and the Sao Joao festivals are a chance to see the real Brazil?
São João Festival - 24 Jun, CaruaruThe annual Sao Joao festival takes place throughout northern Brazil, but especially in the town of Caruaru and in the north it's even bigger than Carnival...
Bumba Meu Boi - 26-29 Jun, ParantinsIf you missed out on the Rio Carnival, why not join millions of Brazilians instead at the huge Amazon festival of Bumba Meu Boi? It might not be that well-known but it's one of the biggest annual events in South America...
Brazilian Grand Prix - 13-15 Nov, Sao PauloThe Sao Paulo Grand Prix is the only Formula 1 race held in South America, and thousands of crazy Brazilian fans pack the Interlagos circuit in Sao Paulo every year.
Chile
Chils isn't famous for its festivals but the indigenous Tapati festival on Easter Island is one of our favourites in South America.
Fiesta de La Tirana - 16 Jul, La TiranaSometimes Chile seems very European and sometimes it's VERY South American. The Fiesta de la Tirana, when 200,000 party-goers descend on this tiny town is definitely the latter ...
Colombia
Colombia's festivals might not be as well-known as those of Brazil or Peru, but the Barranquilla Carnival is every bit as much fun as Rio or Salvador, and they also do a good line in modern music festivals.
Barranquilla Carnival - 20-30 Apr, BarranquillaMove over Rio! If you want a completely authentic but completely wild week, then the Barranquilla Carnival is the place for you...
Flower Festival - 01-10 Aug, MedellinColombia produces some of the most beautiful flowers on the planet, and they're very proud of it! So every year for the last 57 years, Medellin has hosted one of the world's biggest flower festivals...
Ecuador
Ecuador has many of the same religious and indigenous festivals as its neighbour, Peru, but also some intriguing traditions of its own, and the biggest New Year's Eve celebrations outside of Rio.
Semana Santa - 24-30 Mar, QuitoAs with many Catholic countries, Ecuador celebrates Easter in a big way, with huge parades and processions, special cakes, and children running around dressed as devils. As you do...
Carnaval 2024 - 20-30 Apr, CuencaEcuador's Carnival (also known as Carnaval) is one of the largest in South America and is famous for its huge water fights, huge parties, and fancy dress devils!
Inti Raymi Ecuador - 24 Jun, OtavaloThe most famous Inti Raymi festival takes place in Cusco, Peru, but the Inca Empire stretched all the way to the very north of Ecuador, and the yearly Festival of the Sun is celebrated here too...
Peru
From traditional Inca festivals like Inti Raymi, to culinary events such as the annual Mistura or South America's largest film festival, 2020 is an action-packed year in Peru...
Holy Week - 24-30 Mar, AyacuchoHoly Week in Ayacucho is a very big deal, with huge parades, concerts, candelit processions, and flower tapestries carpeting the streets...
Paso Horse Festival - Event has been rescheduledThe annual Caballo de Paso festival takes place in Lima, Peru, and is a celebration of the famous Peruvian paso horses which are famed throughout the world.
Inti Raymi - 24 Jun, CuscoInti Raymi was the major festival of the Inca Empire and falls on the Winter Solstice, celebrating the return of the Sun to the lands of the Inca...
Fiestas Patrias - 28-29 Jul, NationwidePeru's annual Fiestas Patrias celebrations to mark Peru's independence from Spain take place on the 28th and 29th of July and many Peruvians head to the coast for a long holiday weekend...
Señor de los Milagros - 18-19 Oct, LimaEvery year in Lima, Peru, the Señor de los Milagros procession fills the streets with thousands of people in one of the world's largest Catholic festivals.