Gaucho Tours in Buenos Aires

If during your trip to Buenos Aires you want to get to know Argentinean customs, the best alternative is to attend some of the gaucho festivals that take place around the capital. Which one you choose will depend largely on the time of year you visit the city, although all options will give you an insight into the local culture and customs.

Among the best gaucho festivals are the Fiesta Nacional de la Tradición, the Fiesta Nacional del Salame Quintero, the shows at the Fiesta Nacional de la Guitarra, the Fiesta Nacional del Tango and the Delta del Tigre during the Fiesta del Deporte Náutico.

The Fiesta Nacional de la Tradición is an annual celebration held in San Antonio de Areco, a few kilometres outside Buenos Aires. Book a gaucho excursion to San Antonio de Areco and enjoy one of the most important celebrations in the country's festival calendar celebrating the rich culture and tradition of the Pampas Region, which is the productive heart of Argentina.

If you are planning to visit Buenos Aires in November, you can take part in this festival that lasts several days. During the event, San Antonio de Areco is transformed into a centre of traditional activities: horse parades, live folkloric music, typical dances, handicraft exhibitions and regional food. You can also take cooking classes there.

The horse parades are one of the highlights of the festival. You can see riders dressed in traditional clothing and riding Criollo horses, the breed of horse that has been bred in the region since colonial times. There are also horse races and dressage demonstrations. Folk music is another essential part of the fiesta. Local and national artists perform on open-air stages and in dance halls playing traditional music such as samba, chacarera and gato.

Details of interest

• Where: San Antonio de Areco, Buenos Aires.
• When: During the first half of November.

The Fiesta Nacional del Tango is a cultural event of great importance in Junín in July and is an opportunity to enjoy the music and dance of tango, one of the most representative artistic expressions of Argentinean culture.

In this festival various cultural activities take place such as live music shows, tango classes, dance competitions and art exhibitions. In addition, visitors can enjoy live shows performed by renowned local and national artists.

Dance competitions are also held, where dancers demonstrate their skill and passion for tango by competing for the title of champion of the Fiesta Nacional del Tango. If you want to be prepared, don't hesitate to book a tango lesson beforehand. In addition, the festival also features food and drink stalls, where visitors can sample a wide variety of typical dishes from the region and the country, accompanied by wines and craft beers.

Interesting details

• Where: Junín, Buenos Aires.
• When: During the second half of July.

The Fiesta Nacional de Peñas y Fortines is a celebration of gaucho tradition and culture in the town of Las Flores, a few kilometres from Buenos Aires. This event, which takes place every year in November, is an ideal opportunity for visitors to experience the life and culture of the Argentinean gauchos.

During the festival, various activities and events take place, such as horse and carriage parades, Creole skills competitions, horse races and traditional dance exhibitions. There are also performances by local musical groups and artists, offering a sample of the music and culture of the region.

In addition, the Fiesta Nacional de Peñas y Fortines also offers an opportunity for visitors to taste the delicious typical Argentinean food such as asados, empanadas, locro and other regional dishes. The festival also features a variety of craft and souvenir stalls, where you can buy handmade products made by local artisans. The highlight of the festival is the election of the National Queen of the Peñas y Fortines, a competition that highlights the beauty, talent and grace of the women of the region.

Details of interest

• Where: Las Flores, Buenos Aires.
• When: Every year in November.

The Fiesta Nacional del Deporte Náutico is an event held in Tigre, which is one of the most beautiful cities outside Buenos Aires. This festival, which takes place in March, pays tribute to water sports and the importance of the river in the culture and history of the region.

Book an excursion to the Tigre Delta and enjoy the rhythm of the festival which is marked by the various competitions and sporting exhibitions, including water skiing, rowing, kayaking, windsurfing, sailing and jet skiing. There are also a variety of activities for the whole family such as boat rides, canoeing, and water sports classes for children in the Delta del Tigre.

In addition to the sporting events, this festival also offers visitors the opportunity to experience the local culture, with a variety of food and drink stalls, crafts and souvenirs. The restaurants and bars near the river offer a unique gastronomic experience, with a wide selection of dishes and drinks typical of the region. This festival will also give you the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful natural landscapes of Tigre, with its many canals, rivers and lakes.

Details of interest

• Where: Tigre, Buenos Aires.
• When: Every year in March.

One of the most important events in Mercedes, on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, is the Fiesta Nacional del Salame Quintero, which takes place in September. An opportunity to enjoy the local gastronomy, music and culture of the region.

In this festival you will be able to taste a great variety of products made of pork meat such as empanadas or the salami Quintero, the protagonist of the festival. This salami, with its unique and mild flavour, is an emblematic product of the region, and has been produced in an artisan way for more than 100 years.

Besides the food, in this festival that you can discover if you travel to Buenos Aires in spring, you will find a wide variety of cultural activities, live music shows with local and national artists performing folkloric and traditional Argentinean music and recreational activities such as Creole skills contests and games for children. Another highlight of the festival is the handicraft fair with a wide variety of handmade items.

Details of interest

• Where: Mercedes, Buenos Aires.
• When: During the first half of September.

The Fiesta Nacional de la Guitarra is one of the highlights of Dolores in March and an opportunity to enjoy the music and culture of the region, especially if you plan to visit Buenos Aires in the summer.

During the Fiesta Nacional de la Guitarra, you'll see the town come alive with local and national artists playing different styles of music live, from folklore to rock and pop. In addition, guitar competitions are held, where participants demonstrate their skill and talent with this instrument. Various cultural activities also take place during the festival, including music and dance workshops, art exhibitions, craft fairs and musical instrument exhibitions.

The guitar parade is one of the highlights of the festival, a unique event where participants carry guitars decorated in creative and original ways, in a display of passion and fanaticism for music and for this instrument that you will also enjoy if you book a tango show in Buenos Aires. Finally, the festival also features a wide variety of food stalls, where visitors can sample a wide variety of typical regional dishes such as asados, empanadas and sweets.

Details of interest

• Where: Dolores, Buenos Aires.
• When: During the second half of March.

If you want to take part in one of the tastiest culinary events in the Argentinean calendar of local celebrations, you can attend the National Homemade Pasta Festival, which is a gastronomic event that takes place in General Las Heras and which you can attend if you are planning to visit Buenos Aires in April.

At this festival you can taste a wide variety of homemade pastas, made with fresh and quality ingredients. Visitors can enjoy typical dishes of the region, such as tagliatelle, ravioli, gnochi and lasagna, prepared in a traditional way. The festival also features a programme of cultural activities, including music and dance performances and cooking competitions.

One of the most popular attractions of the National Homemade Pasta Festival is the pasta-making competition. Here, participants show off their culinary skills. Moreover, as you can do tastings, this festival can be included in the best gastronomic tours of Buenos Aires. There are also educational activities, such as cooking workshops and talks on nutrition and healthy eating. A tip: if you want to further explore Argentine cuisine, don't hesitate to book an Argentine empanada cooking class.

Details of interest

• Where: General Las Heras, Buenos Aires.
• When: During the first half of April.

One of the events you can see and do in Buenos Aires is the Fiesta de la Música Popular de Baradero. At this three-day festival, music lovers gather to enjoy a variety of popular music artists, including rock, folk, tango and other modern genres.

The festival takes place in the city's municipal amphitheatre, which has a capacity for thousands of people. During the days of the event, the stage is home to some of Argentina's greatest music legends, as well as emerging young artists that you can enjoy if you plan to tour Buenos Aires in February.

In addition to the live performances, the festival offers a variety of activities, including craft fairs, food and drink stalls, and musical instrument exhibitions. There are also workshops and music classes for the little ones, allowing attendees to experience music in a more interactive way, especially if you plan to travel to Buenos Aires with children.

Details of interest

• Where: Baradero, Buenos Aires.
• When: Every year in February.

The National Flower Festival is one of the most important events in Escobar next to Buenos Aires. This event takes place every year in September and is an opportunity to enjoy the beauty and fragrance of the regional flowers. Confirm that Escobar is among the stops if you book the Buenos Aires tourist bus and get there in comfort.

During this celebration, flower and plant exhibitions are held , where visitors can admire a great variety of species. In addition, gardening competitions are held, where participants demonstrate their skills and creativity in the design and decoration of gardens and flower arrangements.

You can also attend music and dance shows, costume contests and art exhibitions. The festival will also see the election of the National Flower Queen, an opportunity for local women to showcase their beauty and elegance and compete for the title.

Details of interest

• Where: Escobar, Buenos Aires.
• When: During the last week of September.

If you're looking to take part in a historical celebration, you can't miss the National Federation Week Festival, which takes place every year in March in San Miguel del Monte and pays homage to the creation of Argentina's National Constitution that took place in the city of Santa Fe in 1853, marking the formal beginning of the Nation. Cultural, sporting and social activities mark the agenda of this event, which also includes a military parade, in which the armed forces, police and civilian groups participate.

In addition, the festival also features sporting events, such as motor racing, cycling and running competitions, as well as art exhibitions, live music and theatre. If you plan to visit Buenos Aires in March, you can take part in this all-encompassing celebration, which combines Argentine tradition with the best cultural activities.

During Federation Week, the National Queen of the Fiesta is also elected, with candidates representing different cities and regions of the country. The Queen of the Fiesta becomes the ambassador of the city and participates in various events and activities during her reign.

Interesting details

• Where: San Miguel del Monte, Buenos Aires.
• When: Every year in March.