Festivals of Buenos Aires
There are monthly festivals that take place in the South American city of Buenos Aires. It is not thought of as one of the liveliest cities in the world for nothing. Below is a guide to some of the festivals held throughout the year in Buenos Aires.
Buenos Aires Festivals
January is all about the Cancha de Boca Stadium, also known as “The Sweet Box”. This national stadium begins to come into its own in January each year when the Argentine football season kicks off. The stadium was built in the shape of a horseshoe and fans from all over the country turn out to watch their heroes play.
The Argentine Crafts & Traditions Fair takes place every Sunday and on bank holidays in January opposite the cattle market (mercado de Hacienda). Here you can find free dance, music and even craft workshops. There are many stands with local crafts and produce to buy.
February sees a Buenos Aires Tango Festival. Over 150 Tango performers take part and provide free shows, concerts and of course lessons. The festival is also when the Metropolitan Ballroom Tango Championship takes place.
The Women’s Marathon takes place in March and coincides with the International Women’s Day. The marathon starts at the University of Buenos Aires Law Faculty Building.
For book lovers out there, the Buenos Aires Book Festival is in April and draws more than a million visitors to the La Rural Exhibition Complex.
A Military Parade takes place in May
In 1999, a military parade marking the 189th anniversary of the Revolucion de Mayo (May Revolution) took place after a 10-year absence, to once again become an annual tradition with soldiers parading past the Casa de Gobierno.
June is when tango is used to mark the anniversary of vocalist Carlos Gardel’s Death.
There is a bit of a mixture in July as The International Video-Dance Festival takes place as well as La Rural International Exhibition which is a livestock and agriculture fair. Also in this month there is the Argentine leg of the FIA World Rally Championship .
August sees the popular Snow Carnival take place where the ski resorts of Argentina come alive. There are parades, ski jumping and contests.
The International Guitar Festival is held in October which sees artists of different genres come to the city from all over the world to play for the public for free.
November is the month for the world-class Argentine Open Polo Championship and furthermore, is also the month of Pride. This weekend marks the 1969 formation of the city’s first ever gay assembly. There is a flamboyant parade with floats and drag queens beginning at Plaza de Mayo and progressing to Plaza Congresso, finally ending at Avenida de Mayo.
Susana Herrero