Fiesta de la Tradición

If you are lucky enough to be here at the beginning of November, this is an event you should not miss!! This is the BEST opportunity you will have to see the gaucho culture, and get a feel for country life in Argentina.

The Fiesta de la Tradición is an event that lasts 10 days (Saturday to Tuesday), but the main events are held on the second weekend. I recommend heading out Friday afternoon and staying until Sunday evening, to take advantage of all there is to offer.

Here is a list of what goes on from from Friday through Sunday. Visit the Official 10 day itinerary for a complete itinerary.

Friday evening involves classes for traditional Argentine Folk dances. These are followed by a big bonfire, some barbequed food, live folk music and folk dancing. The crowd is mostly country folk, including lots of gauchos, and most are dressed up in their traditional clothing. You can see all the traditional Argentine dances, and listen to traditional music, all while eating some delicious meat and empanadas.

Saturday starts with a big barbeque lunch for anyone interested, followed by the gaucho skills competitions. You get to watch REAL gauchos, in action, performing skills that have been practiced for decades. In a nutshell, it’s like going to an “Argentine Rodio.”

Saturday evening, there´s another big bonfire, with food, music, and dancing. If you had a chance to take classes, or if you aren´t shy, you can join in the dancing with the locals. There is a great atmosphere; everyone is happy, friendly, and relaxed. A much different feeling than most people who have been visiting Buenos Aires are used to.

Sunday is the best day of all, as it kicks off with a looooooooong parade. All the gauchos parade by, including many of the country women and “gauchitos” (children gauchos), showing off their outfits, and their horses. Although interesting at first, the parade lasts nearly three hours, and gets a bit old after a while. If you decide you´ve seen enough, this is a perfect chance to check out some of the museums and do some shopping.

This parade is followed by a huge feast, and if you want to experience a true, Argentine barbeque, this is your chance. Better than any Estancia barbeque, and far better than any restaurant´s attempt at an Argentine barbeque, this is the real deal. Cooked up by the country people themselves, they serve everything! All the cuts of meat, all the “achuras,” and various salads, you get to stuff yourself with as much as you can eat. And believe me, if you think the meat in Buenos Aires is good, you´re in for a surprise. The meat here is the best I´ve tried in Argentina!

Following this massive feast are more gaucho skills events. This is the perfect opportunity to find a comfortable piece of grass, relax in the sun, and watch the events before heading back to the country´s chaotic capital.

If you get tired of any of the events, there are other things to do in San Antonio de Areco. It is one of the prettier Argentine towns, and it is quite obvious the town is home to many wealthy people. There are some great restaurants, definitely worth dining for a meal or two. There is also a small river running through the center of the town, which offers a beautiful spot to go for a walk, have a picnic, or just relax.

San Antonio a great place to shop for gifts or souvenirs. It is home to numerous artisans, and you know that you are getting 100% authentic products. I also recommend you check out some of the little museums, where they showcase traditional Argentine artwork.

If you are at all interested in rural Argentina, gauchos, or traditional song and dance, this is the perfect opportunity to see it in action. Probably one of the greatest things about the Fiesta de la Tradición is that it is not touristy at all. You really feel like you are on the inside of country life in Argentina.

Official Website: http://sanantoniodeareco.com/turismo/fiestadelatradicion/
When: Beginning of November
Where: San Anotnio de Areco (about 1hr from Buenos Aires)
Why: You want to see gauchos in action and you love to learn about Argentine culture!

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