Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
the guitar, with an emphasis
on world folk traditions.
Casa Foa
(late Oct)
, Buenos
Aires. This hugely popular
design and architecture
exposition is a platform for
Argentinian designers, interior
decorators, and landscape
artists to showcase their work.
November
Día de Todos los Santos
(Nov
1)
, across the Andean North-
west. People gather to decorate
graves with tokens and flowers.
In some places, traditional folk
rhythms are sung.
Día de la Tradición
(weekend
nearest Nov 12)
, across
Argentina. Gauchos in
traditional attire lead horses
decorated with silver-buckled
bridles in parades.
Abierto Argentino de Polo
(mid-Nov-mid-Dec)
, Buenos
Aires. This posh polo event has
gained popularity in Argentina
over the years.
Creamfields
(late Nov)
, Buenos
Aires. The renowned electronic
music festival, a staple on the
international scene, is the largest
such event in Latin America.
Performers dressed in striking costumes at Carnaval, Gualeguaychú
restaurants and hotels in
cities and towns organize
theme parties at colorfully
decorated venues.
Navidad
(Dec 25)
, across
Argentina. On this day, people
go to church services in the
morning and celebrate with a
Christmas lunch. All museums
are closed and many bars and
restaurants only open in the late
afternoon or early evening.
Fin de Año
(Dec 31)
, across
Argentina. The new year
holiday starts only at noon so
the morning is a regular
working day.
January
Año Nuevo
(Jan 1)
, across
Argentina. The new year is
welcomed by families and
friends who gather and set off
fireworks in towns and cities.
Fiesta de la Cereza
(early Jan)
,
Santa Cruz. The main fruit-
growing farms in this fertile
corner of southern Patagonia
celebrate with music, dance,
and lots of healthy fruits.
Summer
With the whole country on
summer holiday, Argentina
celebrates the season with a
variety of music and produce
festivals. Christmas and the
arrival of the new year bring
their own festivities and family
reunions. Carnaval is not as big
in Argentina as in Brazil, but is
taken seriously in Litoral and the
Andean Northwest. Patagonia
is warmest in summer but
powerful winds roll across
the steppes. Many prefer to
head farther south to the tem-
perate but relatively wind-free
climes of Tierra del Fuego,
departure point for cruise tours
to Antarctica.
February
Carnaval
(Feb)
, Buenos Aires
and Gualeguaychú. In the town
of Gualeguaychú in the Entre
Ríos province, the locals bring
color and creative flair to street
parades during Carnaval. In
different neighborhoods of
Buenos Aires,
murga
(bands of
street musicians) beat drums
and artistes dance to the music
in the streets and plazas.
Fiesta de la Pachamama
(Feb 6)
,
Purmamarca. With folk concerts,
ancient rituals, and mass feasts,
indigenous and mestizo groups
pay tribute to the important
pre-Columbian fertility goddess
Pachamama (Earth Mother).
Fiesta del Lúpulo
(late Feb)
, El
Bolsón. The country's main hop
festival, this is a lively beer-
drinking party, extremely
popular with the hippies and
trekkers who descend on this
laid-back town every summer.
December
El Bolsón Jazz Festival
(early
Dec)
, El Bolsón. A festival
offering jazz shows in this
music-loving town.
Noche Buena
(Dec 24)
, across
Argentina. On the “good night,”
Christmas Eve, most of the
Meat barbecued during the Año Nuevo
celebration
