La Serena postpones anniversary events amid disaster recovery

The Chilean city of La Serena will mark its 482nd anniversary in 2026 under a state of catastrophe declared after a severe frontal system left thousands of homes damaged and four people dead, including a two‑year‑old child. Mayor Daniela Norambuena said the municipality had to suspend most mass celebrations and re‑schedule key activities.

The La Serena Marathon has been moved to 6 September, while the Feria Costumbrista will take place in October. Traditional events such as the Misa de San Bartolomé, the Medal of La Serena ceremony (now without a parade), and the Verbena will continue in a limited format, and a special “Día de la Papaya” will be held to honor the city’s emblematic fruit.

Other planned festivities for August have been cancelled or postponed as municipal teams focus on rebuilding more than 3,000 damaged houses and supporting affected families.