New Year's Eve 2024-2025 in Chile

Celebrating New Year’s Eve in Chile means vibrant street parties, thrilling fireworks, and rich cultural traditions across the country’s diverse landscapes. From the bustling capital of Santiago to coastal towns like Iquique and Arica, Chile offers a range of unique experiences with a special local vibe. We've shortlisted the best ones for you. So read on to find out your perfect option.

Santiago

The bustling city boasts plenty of NYE celebrations, including concerts, parties, and fireworks. The heart of the party is typically in Plaza Italia (Plaza Baquedano), where crowds gather for a countdown and fireworks show at midnight. For a more family-friendly experience, head to Parque Bicentenario or the Entel Tower, or Torre Entel, the telecommunications tower located across from La Moneda. The area boasts large screens, music, and food vendors create a lively but relaxed atmosphere. This place is praised for some of the largest street celebrations and firework displays found across the country.

Many of Santiago’s rooftops, such as those in Bellavista and Lastarria, offer panoramic views of the city’s fireworks. With excellent dining, live music, and buzzing nightlife, Santiago is a dynamic option for ringing in the New Year. Additionally, you can dance the night away to splendid DJ music in the famed nightclub La Feria, or check out Club de Jazz for a more unique experience.

Valparaíso

The second most popular place to celebrate is definitely Valparaíso, just a 2-hour drive from Santiago. Some would bet this port city is the top choice for celebrating the last night of the year. The major attraction here is South America's largest pyrotechnic fiesta over the beach. Thousands of fireworks are launched from the boats in the ocean for about twenty minutes starting at midnight. Afterward, the festivities take to the streets.

Viña del Mar

Viña del Mar, next to Valparaíso, must be a bit quieter alternative for your New Year's Eve, still with equally impressive views of the fireworks from the curving bay of Valparaíso. If you wish for a less crowded night and would like to soak up the sun on the beach before painting the town red, Viña will surely meet these needs.

Iquique

Known for its sandy shores and warm climate, Iquique is a top choice for a beachside New Year’s celebration. Iquique’s Playa Cavancha hosts a grand New Year’s party each year, where locals and visitors gather along the coastline for a lively evening of music and dancing. The city’s fireworks display lights up the Pacific Ocean, creating a beautiful spectacle on the water. After midnight, the beach parties and nearby bars in Baquedano and around town stay open well into the early morning.

Arica

Further north, Arica offers a New Year’s experience with its own charm. In Chile’s northernmost city, New Year’s Eve here means heading to El Laucho or Chinchorro Beach, where bonfires, local musicians, and community celebrations provide a warm welcome to the New Year. Arica’s celebration also includes a fireworks display that illuminates the beaches and the nearby Atacama Desert, creating an unforgettable scene.

Rancagua

For a more intimate and traditional celebration, Rancagua in the Central Valley is a great choice. Known for its vineyards and country charm, Rancagua’s New Year’s festivities are family-oriented and filled with local customs. The city’s main square hosts small gatherings with music and fireworks, while the surrounding vineyards and countryside offer beautiful settings for New Year’s Eve picnics or dinners with family and friends. For visitors seeking a quieter, more rural celebration, Rancagua is an ideal spot.

Chilean NYE traditions

Last but not least to know while planning your NYE trip to Chile is local traditions, which are quite piquant. It all starts in the afternoon of December 31, which means a great family dinner. Later on, folks flood the streets for midnight festivities. To attract good luck in the coming year, people typically wear yellow underwear (yellow clothes are also welcome), carry an empty suitcase for new adventures, and stuff their shoes with money to make bank. Another common superstition is eating lentils besides the twelve grapes tradition, borrowed from Spain. Lastly, gourmets will be delighted with the NYE menu, featuring hearty seafood, a fruit cake, and spirited cola de mono.

Whether you’re enjoying the fireworks in Santiago, partying on the beach in Iquique, stargazing in Arica, or embracing local customs in Rancagua, each destination brings its own flair to this special night. With its incredible scenery, warm locals, and diverse festivities, Chile is an unforgettable place to ring in the New Year.