Pucón (Chile) wrapped in Chocolate

21-06-25

Pucón, the gem of Chile’s Araucanía region, is once again preparing to become the epicenter of a sensory celebration that combines tradition, tourism, and creativity at the 2025 Chocolate Festival. From June 20 to 22, the Enjoy Pucón Hotel will host this now-traditional winter event, which this year surprises with a spectacular replica of the Villarrica volcano made entirely of chocolate.

This impressive structure has been handcrafted using approximately 1,800 slabs of 46% cacao Neucober chocolate, and will serve as the festival’s central attraction. The volcano won’t just be a visual symbol—it will come to life in a spectacular “chocolate eruption” created by culinary students during the event. Alongside the volcano, over 200 kg of chocolate will be featured through tastings, special festival bars with hidden prize tickets—including hotel stays, meals, hot springs access, chocolate and wine gift cards—and live chocolate-making workshops.

Organized by the Pucón Tourism Chamber, with support from the local government and culinary entrepreneurs, the festival promises an experience for all the senses. More than 60 exhibitors from various regions will showcase their handcrafted creations, complemented by cultural performances, live classes, themed children’s areas, and tasting sessions. This blend of family fun, local culture, and the culinary identity of Pucón has helped establish the festival as a key winter tradition, celebrating the town’s appeal even in the off-season.

A key goal of the festival is to boost tourism during the colder months, support the local economy, and provide opportunities for entrepreneurs, small businesses, and students. Pricila Basaure, board member of the Tourism Chamber and the festival’s producer, explained: “The Chamber’s commitment to promoting the Chocolate Festival, together with how beautiful our town is in winter, has turned this event into a must for families. Chocolate stimulates tourism and increases the number of visitors to the area during the low season.”

Mayor Sebastián Álvarez added, “The Chocolate Festival has become a key tourism initiative for our local economy. It significantly boosts spending on lodging, food, shopping, and activities. It also motivates thousands of visitors to choose Pucón as a destination. We’re happy to continue supporting events like this, which celebrate our identity and directly benefit local entrepreneurs and small businesses.”

nother distinctive aspect of the event is its strong community involvement. For this edition, 1,500 schoolchildren aged 7 to 11 from municipal schools received art materials to illustrate the chocolate volcano; the winning works will be unveiled during the festival. Four preliminary workshops were also held with 30 senior citizens from the local Senior Center, led by chocolatier Chef Jorge Quichel. There, participants learned to make chocolate bars, bonbons, and truffles, and were trained in sales strategies. Their handmade products will be sold at a dedicated stand during the event.

The volcano and its dramatic “eruption” are part of a broader ambition: to set a Guinness World Record for the largest chocolate volcano in the world. This effort positions Pucón on the global stage and strengthens its strategy to be recognized as a gastronomic and chocolate destination in southern Chile.

For the general public, the event offers unlimited tastings, chocolate bars with surprise prizes, live entertainment, chocolate-making classes, and interactive spaces—all in a warm and festive atmosphere.

Anticipating a significant increase in tourist traffic, organizers emphasize that the festival is more than just a delicious experience—it is also a powerful economic driver for the region. Its impact includes higher hotel occupancy, increased business for local restaurants and shops, visibility in social and traditional media, and a family-friendly celebration that promotes local culture through chocolate—a product that now forms part of Pucón’s identity.

After the success of previous editions and with a renewed focus on art, community, entrepreneurship, and spectacle, the 2025 Chocolate Festival reaffirms its commitment to Pucón. This event promises to delight both locals and visitors, standing out as one of Chile’s winter cultural and tourism highlights. A true celebration of flavor, warmth, and chocolate, it firmly establishes the lakeside city not just as a natural destination, but as the Chocolate Capital of the South.

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