Southern Chile winter festivals

In late June 2026 the Ministry of Housing and Urbanism’s Programa para Pequeñas Localidades (PPL) launched the first Winter Festival in the town of Crucero, Los Ríos. The two‑day event featured botanical illustration, audiovisual storytelling, cooking workshops, self‑care sessions and garden projects aimed at children, youth and adults, with officials highlighting its role in fostering community participation during the winter break.

A few weeks later, municipalities in Chile’s southern region expanded the concept into larger, tourism‑focused food events. Puerto Varas scheduled its third Winter Gastronomic Festival for early August, expecting 20,000 visitors and showcasing local chefs and Mapuche cuisine. Simultaneously, Puerto Montt organized a Salmon Week, offering free salmon donations, cooking shows and cultural performances to cement the city’s reputation as a global salmon hub and to generate year‑round economic opportunities. Together, the snapshots illustrate a shift from a locally‑run cultural celebration to a series of regional culinary festivals designed to boost tourism and regional pride.