Colors of Valparaíso - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

A wide variety of cultural events is not typical of Valparaíso. However, the city definitely has at least one event that any self-respecting traveler should visit at least once in his life. It's New Year’s fireworks. It is so large-scale that many call it "new year's pyrotechnic festival". However, please note – if you want to get to this show without problems, you should not postpone the arrival in Santiago until December 31. During this period, the road to the city will take much longer than the usual couple of hours.

The fact that the fireworks in Valparaíso attract many capital residents. So even if you will manage to get tickets pretty quickly, it is not a fact that you will arrive at the coast on time. More than half of the road is loaded so that the journey lasts for five-six hours, due to the huge number of cars. Besides, there are a lot of people who want to go to Valparaíso. But there are not enough buses. So get ready for a crowded salon. The ideal option is to arrive in the city in advance. So you can visit the fair and celebrate the New Year together with the locals on the waterfront.

If you want to welcome the coming year in accordance with all the city traditions, do not forget to prepare a grape. It will be better if you prepare twelve grapes. You will have to eat them during the chimes. Red socks, stockings, garters or underwear should be included in the New Year wardrobe. These things are supposed to bring good luck. You can participate in the burning of straw effigy shortly before the end of the year. The locals believe that in this way they can destroy all the failures and troubles, as well as be cleansed from the evil eye. If you want to introduce your child to the local version of Santa Claus, you should look for Viejo Pasquero. This is an old man who gives obedient children toys and sweets. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

The streets of the city are incredibly crowded on New Year’s Eve. This is due to the influx of Santiago residents wishing to celebrate the New Year at sea. Cafes, bars, and restaurants are closed at this time. Their staff celebrates the holiday. So it will be better to buy something tasty in advance from the sellers of street food and go to take places with a good view. The firework lasts almost thirty minutes. It's incredibly beautiful. You can ride the lifts and wander through the old city streets after the fireworks.

Competitions of beginners and professional skaters are regularly held in the city. BMX fans fell in love with Valparaíso because of the large height differences and complex architecture. If you want, you can join the races and the number of local extremes. Sports fans should also visit the matches of the4 on 4 Adult Hockey League, which takes place in early May. You can also play hockey at the local rink. Demonstrations and festivals of street artists regularly take place in Valparaíso. It was during these festivals that several dozen houses were painted.

Performances of both classical and contemporary music take place at Central Park Plaza every Thursday during the warm season. This is a unique opportunity to enjoy beautiful melodies not sitting in the concert hall, but comfortably settling down on the grass on your favorite blanket. The @RT-chitecture Walk takes place in the city in late spring. It will be possible to see competitions of pupils of city schools in choral singing, cheerleading, still-life drawing and many others within this event. It lasts a month. Free activities for children are held in Central Park as part of Active Kids Day.

Valpo Police K-9 Unit 5 K9 Run & 1 Mile Dog Walk takes place in the city in May. You can join the jog, or just watch how dog handlers and ordinary citizens overcome the track. A quest called Where did V@gogh takes place as part of the spring arts festival in May. A major fair opens in the city on the first day of summer. You can participate in fitness programs, yoga or come to the evening outdoor cinema in Central Park in the summer. A major festival of painters takes place in the city at the end of June. More than eight dozen artists from all over Chile come to Valparaíso at this time.

Performances of the Chilean street theatre take place in the city in mid-July. Valpo Night Ride is interesting. Not too experienced riders, who are ready to admire the surroundings of the city on the 15-mile route, can also take part in it. Valparaiso Popcorn Festival takes place in the city in early September. This festival recently turned forty years old. Games for adults and children, workshops and, of course, a lot of popcorn make the event attractive for a family visit. World Cultural Festival takes place at the Valparaíso International Center in mid-September.