Santiago Christmas Market
Annual Christmas market, typically November through December
Season: November – December
Plaza de Armas and surrounding areas
About
The Santiago Christmas Market transforms the historic Plaza de Armas into a magical holiday wonderland filled with festive stalls, traditional Chilean decorations, and the enchanting spirit of a Southern Hemisphere summer Christmas. Kids will love browsing handcrafted toys, watching live nativity scenes and street performers, while sampling seasonal treats like pan de pascua (Chilean Christmas bread) and cola de mono (a sweet holiday drink). It's a wonderful cultural experience that lets families celebrate Christmas Chilean-style while enjoying warm summer evenings under twinkling lights.
What to Expect
Families will find dozens of vendor stalls selling handmade crafts, Christmas decorations, nativity scenes (pesebres), and traditional Chilean gifts. The atmosphere is festive and lively, with street musicians, carolers, and often appearances by Viejito Pascuero (Chile's Santa Claus). Children can enjoy face painting, small carnival games, and interactive craft stations at many markets. The setting in the historic Plaza de Armas adds charm, with the Metropolitan Cathedral and colonial buildings providing a beautiful backdrop. Since it's summer in Chile during Christmas, expect warm weather and outdoor festivities rather than winter wonderland themes.
Highlights for Kids
- Meeting Viejito Pascuero (Chilean Santa Claus) and learning how Christmas is celebrated in summer
- Trying traditional Chilean Christmas treats like pan de pascua, empanadas, and sweet mote con huesillos
- Watching artisans create handmade crafts and nativity figures right at their stalls
- Live music performances featuring Chilean Christmas carols (villancicos) and folk music
- The beautifully illuminated Plaza de Armas with festive decorations against historic colonial architecture
Pro Tips for Families
- Visit during early evening (6-8 PM) when temperatures cool down and the market lights create the most magical atmosphere—Chile's summer heat can be intense during midday.
- Bring cash in Chilean pesos, as many smaller vendors don't accept credit cards; ATMs are available around Plaza de Armas but may have long lines.
- Learn a few Spanish phrases or use a translation app—English isn't widely spoken at vendor stalls, but friendly gestures go a long way when shopping with kids.
- Watch your belongings carefully in crowded areas; use a cross-body bag and keep children close, as Plaza de Armas can be busy with both tourists and pickpockets targeting distracted families.
Best Time to Visit
Weekday evenings (Monday-Thursday) between 6-8 PM offer the best experience with smaller crowds and cooler temperatures. Weekends are much busier but have more entertainment and a livelier atmosphere. Early December is ideal for the full experience before the market gets extremely crowded in the final week before Christmas. Avoid visiting during the hottest part of the day (noon-3 PM) as there's limited shade and summer temperatures in Santiago can exceed 30°C (86°F).
Food & Drinks
The market features numerous food stalls offering both traditional Chilean Christmas specialties and street food favorites. Kids typically enjoy completos (Chilean hot dogs), empanadas with various fillings, churros, and fresh fruit smoothies. For Christmas-specific treats, try pan de pascua (fruitcake), alfajores (dulce de leche cookies), and horchata (sweet cinnamon drink). Many vendors sell fresh-squeezed juices and helado (ice cream) to beat the summer heat. Most items are affordable (1,000-5,000 CLP per item), and portions are often generous enough to share. Bring hand wipes as seating and handwashing facilities may be limited.
Parking & Access
Plaza de Armas is located in Santiago Centro and is best reached by metro—the Plaza de Armas station (Line 5, green line) exits directly onto the plaza. Parking in this busy downtown area is challenging and expensive; use secure paid lots rather than street parking. The plaza itself is pedestrian-friendly and mostly flat, making it manageable with strollers, though crowded aisles between vendor stalls can be tight during peak times. Consider using a baby carrier for easier navigation through crowds. Taxis and Uber are readily available for return trips to hotels. The area is generally safe during market hours but keep valuables secure and stay in well-lit areas.