During the summer (December-March), the weather is hot during the day and brisk at night. The rest of the year is more pleasant. Nights, though, are cold June-September.

Iquique is a popular destination in the summer (December-March), for Fiestas Patrias in September and other national holidays. Things get a bit crowded and pricey. In these months, the city plays host to a variety of arts festivals. In January, keep an ear out for the Festival de Tunas y Estudiantes, a competition of university tunas, or mediaeval-era troubadour troupes. In February are the Festival del Teatro, the Encuentro de Danza América and the big Festival de Iquique featuring internationally known musicians. Two religious holidays on Iquique’s agenda are movable feasts. The pre-Lenten Carnaval de Iquique is marked in February or March. During Semana Santa (March-April), Iquiqueños climb the bluff behind town to the Estaciones de la Cruz (Stations of the Cross), to seek forgiveness for last year’s sins. Don’t miss the fishermen’s tipping of the hat to San Pedro on June 29 out at Cavancha Peninsula. Needless to say, May 21 is a big holiday here, commemorating the decisive naval battle of the Guerra del Pacífico and the death of Commander Arturo Prat. Music, cueca dancing, tours and other events pay tribute to that heroic Chilean victory.