How is spring celebrated in Latin America?

From student celebrations to more traditional festivities, we will explore the different Latin American customs for celebrating spring arrival. 

From Mexico on the north, to the southern territories of Chile and Argentina, the vast Latin American territory holds unmatched cultural treasures. 

This extensive territory has one of the most rich and diverse cultural landscapes and celebrations. And spring celebration is, without a doubt, one of the most widespread Latin American customs in the territory. 

In this article, we will explore how spring is celebrated in different Latin American countries and the different festivities that exist in this region to celebrate the arrival of this season.

Spring equinox celebration

The celebration of the arrival of the spring equinox is a tradition that has been carried out in many cultures throughout history.

The festive spirit evoked by the arrival of this season arises from a wide range of aspects, mainly related to nature and with an emphasis on the rebirth of plant life after the winter.

How did the spring celebration originate?

The origins of this celebration date back to ancient times, and have historical and cultural roots in different parts of the world.

Although its origin may vary by region or tradition, it is generally associated with natural and agricultural aspects.

This tradition is related to the observation of changes in nature and the symbolic importance of spring as a time of renewal and resurgence of life.

Despite the fact that traditions have evolved over time and acquired different nuances per region, the connection with nature and the celebration of life are still common elements in these festivities.

Why is spring arrival celebrated in Latin America?

We will find many examples of how Spring Day is celebrated in the Latin American territory, with interesting variations per region depending on local climatic characteristics and each country’s specific traditions and history.

The Latin American customs of spring celebrations are mostly rooted in the pre-Columbian traditions of the indigenous cultures that inhabited the region before the arrival of the Europeans.

These indigenous festivities were associated with agricultural cycles and spiritual beliefs related to nature and land fertility.

As European conquerors started to arrive in Latin America, these traditions merged with Christian festivities and other cultural influences, giving rise to diverse spring celebrations throughout the region.

When is spring celebrated in Latin America? The hemispheres and the equatorial line

Spring celebrations in the Latin American region also present different nuances associated with the rich and varied climate of the territory.

From countries with distinct seasons to countries with “eternal spring,” Latin America is home to vast climatic scenarios that are reflected in the wide range of customs around spring celebrations.

In general terms, the Latin American countries crossed by the Equator, such as Colombia or Ecuador, enjoy the so-called “eternal spring.” On the other side, those countries farther away from this imaginary line have more distinct seasons.

Another variation we will find in this territory is the date on which spring begins, something that is associated with the Northern and Southern Hemispheres covered by this region.

Those Latin American countries located in the Northern Hemisphere receive spring season between March 20 and 21, while those countries located in the Southern Hemisphere celebrate the arrival of this season between September 20 and 21.

Although not all Latin American countries have a specific festivity to welcome spring, partly as a consequence of the climatic characteristics of each region, there are some outstanding traditions and festivities.

How is Spring Day celebrated in different Latin American countries?

From associations with youth festivities in the Southern region to more traditional celebrations rooted in aboriginal customs in the Northern region, Latin America presents a wide array of celebrations of the arrival of the spring equinox.

Below, we will explore how Spring Day is celebrated in different Latin American countries.

Argentina: Outdoor activities and student celebrations

Every September 21, Argentina celebrates Spring Day, a festivity that is celebrated with enthusiasm throughout the country.

This celebration also has the peculiarity of occurring simultaneously with Student´s Day, which is why town squares and green spaces in the cities get filled with young students and spring session devotees.

Picnics are a common tradition of this festivity. Groups of friends and families gather around to celebrate spring arrival in parks and squares, sharing the traditional national drink, the “mate,” and doing picnics outdoors.

Additionally, anticipating the spring celebration that takes place every year, many states and municipalities organize concerts, activities, and outdoor festivals to accompany the popular celebration.

Uruguay: Traditional festivities and the “Estudiantina”

Uruguay’s spring celebrations share many characteristics with its sister country, Argentina. Like that country, Uruguay has the peculiarity of jointly celebrating Spring and Student´s Day.

One celebration that deserves a special mention is the so-called “Estudiantina,” a holiday held by and for the youth that has been celebrated each year since 2016. In this event, there are different recreational activities and competitions as a part of the Student´s Day celebrations.

There are, additionally, more traditional celebrations associated with the gaucho culture of the region. A noteworthy example of this is the Gaucho Spring Festival (Fiesta de la Primavera Gaucha) which is celebrated every third weekend of September.

This festival evokes the figures of the Gaucho and the China, the male and female traditional figures of the Gaucho culture of the River Plate region. This celebration invites people to dress up in traditional costumes, to then choose the best costumes and the Queen of Spring. The day is completed with several traditional activities, such as horsemanship and folkloric dances.

Perú: Trujillo and its Spring Parades

Peru shares the same general characteristics of the region of association between spring and youth celebrations.

One of the most outstanding events in this country is the International Spring Festival which takes place in the city of Trujillo. This city, known as the “City of Eternal Spring,” is visited every year both by locals and tourists from all around the world.

This celebration, which started in the 1950s, is held every year over the last days of September. The festival combines the characteristic spring parade, the election of the Queen, and different contents.

México: the continuation of pre-Columbian religious traditions

Moving now to the North of the Latin American region, we arrive in the Mexican country. Unlike its brother countries in the Southern region, Mexico receives spring around March 20 and 21, since it is located in the Northern Hemisphere.

The celebrations of the spring equinox in Mexico are mainly associated with its pre-Hispanic cultural inheritance and indigenous traditions, although they also have some modern religious elements as well.

On the one hand, the archeological site of Chichén Itzá located in the state of Yucatán receives every spring thousands of people who gather to witness the phenomenon of light and shadow of the Kukulcán pyramid.

The structure of this pyramid has the peculiarity of casting shadows that create the appearance of a descending snake during the equinox, a phenomenon related with the Mayan cosmovision that simbolizes the descent of the Kukulcán god, a serpent-like Mayan deity.

On the other hand, the city of Teotihuacan also deserves a special mention. Every year, thousands of people dressed in white come to this place to commemorate the spring equinox.

Every spring, people perform purification and energy renewal rituals at this site.These rituals consist of raising the arms towards the sun in the place that once was one of the most important religious centres for many aboriginal cultures.

Latin American countries of “eternal spring”

As we have seen, most Latin American countries experience well-defined seasons, which gave rise to diverse spring festivities.

However, there are some countries in the region that have predominantly warm weather throughout the year and, in consequence, do not experience traditional seasons, such as Spring.

Countries like Colombia or Ecuador, which are crossed by the Equator, have the advantage of enjoying pleasant and constant temperatures throughout the year, but have the disadvantage of not celebrating spring arrival, unlike their Latin American counterparts.

And, do you have plans to celebrate spring?

We have gone around how spring dar is celebrated in different Latin American countries, discovering the most varied festivities.

The cultural richness of the Latin American customs is reflected in the varied celebrations and festivities that exist to welcome the spring equinox.

Moreover, the rich range of climates that exist in this extensive region generates different approaches to the celebration of this season, which results in attractive and varied festivities.

And, do you have plans to celebrate spring?