Five Outstanding Festivals in South America

Rio's Carnival
Rio’s Carnival…not the only great festival in South America!

South America can offer you a lot more than just traditional Rio de Janeiro festival! The whole continent, in fact, has something to offer for all kinds of travelers and for people who are looking for different experience. In one place you can enjoy fabulous wine festival while in the neighborhood country you can attend a huge religious festival and get in touch with the spiritual world.

No matter what kind of celebration you are looking to stop by, all these five festivals we are going to talk about in this article are definitely worth your attention. Just don’t forget to get a good pair of sunglasses (this Sunglass Hut online discount can give a hand you here), because you are going to see a lot of sun and fun, in all these amazing festivals!

Semana Santa, Peru

Peru
Peru

One of the most notable Peru’s festivals takes place two days before Palm Sunday and continues its celebration for ten days until Easter Sunday arrives. Festival starts its road with a traditional parade honoring La Virgen de Los Delores, which literally means “a lady of sorrows” – so basically Virgin Mary. But this parade doesn’t stop the festival, as, during other days of Semana Santa, there are tons of joyful and attention-grabbing attractions like art and music shows, traditional competitions, and delicious Peruvian food which will take your breath away!

Mendoza Wine Harvest Festival, Argentina

Mendoza, Argentina
Mendoza, Argentina

Another perfect festival for all whose enjoy great wine more than anything is hosted in Argentina‘s city called Mendoza. Since 1936, when this fantastic festival originated, Fiesta National de la Vendimia (as locals call it) has been inviting winegrowers, vineyard hands, locals, and thousands of guests in a spectacular show of love for the Cuyo region and wines it produces. Festival usually starts in the first week of March, so right now is the best time to plan your trip here! Various concerts, parades, fireworks all celebrating the love for life and wine, and endless merriment create a definitive fantastic atmosphere under blue skies and starry nights you will never forget.

Corpus Christi Festival, Ecuador

Ecuador
Ecuador

Ecuador’s indigenous community plays a big part in the country’s live, so one of their greatest and most important festivals called Corpus Christi is considered as one of the best ways to learn about culture and people of this small South American country. The Corpus Christi Festival takes its place in the small town of Pujili and usually happens in the second week of June. Food, art, folk, regional dance, and music are fundamental parts of the festival and a way to celebrate two occasions – the return of Incan Sun God Inti and Holy Communion. What is also fascinating about this festival, is that locals and visitors from all Ecuador are invited to dress as colorful as possible, so walking around in streets during the festival, will look like you are walking in a kaleidoscope for sure.

Tango Festival, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Tango in Argentina
Tango in Argentina

Another festival which takes place in Argentine and is definitely worth visiting is the Tango Festival. Argentine is one of the homelands of this passionate dancing while the capital city of Buenos Aires is one of the places where this dance was invented. Therefore, emotional Argentineans do cherish this fact and host annual Tango Festival celebrating this dance and everything about it. If you happen to be here during when the festival takes place (around the middle of August), definitely don’t miss a chance to stop by at the outdoor milonga (tango hall) where more than 10,000 dancers (tangueros) perform. Here you can also get an opportunity to learn how to dance the tango as well, and bring home the best souvenir ever – new dance moves!

Carnival, Brazil, Columbia & Uruguay

Well, ok. We can’t forget to mention one of the biggest celebrations many South Americans have – their carnivals! Carnival is celebrated throughout South America in Uruguay, Brazil, and Columbia but the Brazilians undoubtedly celebrate with the most passion and they do get the most attention from the media as well. Nevertheless, biggest Columbia’s festival in the city of Barranquilla or Mardi Gras festival in the town of Montevideo in Uruguay are also worth your attention. Especially because these festivals are equally fun and colorful, but here are fewer tourists who are wandering around than in Rio. However, these festivals are now over, and if you want to visit them, plan your trip for the next year – you won’t regret it.