Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Public Holidays
Año Nuevo
(New Year's Day,
Jan 1)
Carnaval
(Penultimate Mon
and Tue of Feb)
Jueves Santo
(Maundy
Thursday, Mar/Apr)
Viernes Santo
(Good Friday,
Mar/Apr)
Día Nacional de la Memoria
por la Verdad y la Justicia
(Day of Remembrance for
Truth and Justice, Mar 24)
Día de las Malvinas
(Malvinas
War Veterans' Day, Mon
nearest Apr 2)
Día del Trabajo
(Labor Day,
May 1)
Día de la Revolución de
Mayo
(May Revolution Day,
May 25)
Día de la Bandera
(Flag Day,
3rd Mon of Jun)
Día de la Independencia
(Independence Day, Jul 9)
Día del Libertador General
San Martín
(General San
Martín's Day, 3rd Mon of Aug)
Día de la Raza
(Columbus
Day, Mon nearest Oct 12)
Inmaculada Concepción de
la Virgen María
(Immaculate
Conception Day, Dec 8)
Noche Buena
(Christmas Eve,
Dec 24)
Navidad
(Christmas Day,
Dec 25)
Fin de Año
(Dec 31)
Winter
Rain drenches the central
provinces, and Patagonia turns
bitterly cold. This is, however,
the most sublime time to be in
the south, as the Southern Right
whales swim into Península
Valdés and the breeding season
begins. The ski season keeps
Bariloche and Mendoza busy.
June
Día de la Bandera
(3rd Mon)
,
across Argentina. This day
com memo rates the death
anniversary of General Manuel
Belgrano, creator of the
country's national flag. The
white and sky-blue
bandera
(flag) is hoisted and the national
anthem sung across the nation.
People praying in church on
Día de San Cayetano
attracts locals and tourists alike.
Tango-themed events take over
the whole city, from art and
photo graphy exhi bitions to
free dance classes and live
shows by major tango stars. The
excitement peaks with the
World Tango Championships, an
international gathering of skilled
dancers, couples who don their
best and compete at all levels.
Fiesta Nacional de la Nieve
(mid-Aug)
, Bariloche. The new
season's snow is welcomed with
parades, ski races, and a torch-lit
descent of Cerro Catedral. It
includes the election of a
National Snow Queen.
Día del Libertador General San
Martín
(mid-Aug)
, across
Argentina. Flags are hoisted and
hymns are sung to commemorate
the anniversary of Independence
hero José San Martín's death.
July
Día de la Independencia
(Jul 9)
, across Argentina. Less
important than Día de la
Revolución de Mayo, but flags
are raised to honor the troops
that ousted Spanish control.
Festival Nacional del Poncho
(late Jul)
, Catamarca. This
colorful festival features exhi-
bitions displaying beautiful
handwoven ponchos, colorful
decorated blankets and carpets,
tapestries, and other regional
textiles. Folk music concerts and
lively dances are also held.
August
La Rural
(July-Aug)
, Buenos
Aires. A huge three-week
agricultural fair, with prize stock
displayed proudly by breeders
from across the interior provinces.
Gauchos dazzle their audiences
with equestrian stunts. Local
food and organic produce stalls
are also an important part of
this lively event.
Día de San Cayetano
(Aug 7)
,
Buenos Aires. Praying and
weeping believers gather at the
church of St. Cayetano to ask for
help from the patron saint of
bread and work and to thank
him for favors past. As St.
Cayetano Day approaches, the
streets fill up with tents around
the San Cayetano church.
Festival Buenos Aires Tango
(mid-Aug)
, Buenos Aires. The
most important tango festival
Couple participating in the World Tango Championship, Buenos Aires
