The sun is still nowhere to be found in Buenos Aires, but you can heat up your heart and soul with an eclectic lineup of cultural events across the capital this weekend. Foodies can indulge in hundreds of varieties of Argentina’s most cherished sweet treat at the World Alfajor Championship or celebrate seasonal artichoke dishes at a historic Abasto bar.
History and theater intersect with a moving Malvinas survivor story, while Avenida Corrientes transforms into an outdoor Gaulish village for an Asterix and Obelix extravaganza.
To top it off, live music spans every vibe, from salsa royalty Rubén Blades and a multi-genre Piazzolla tribute to a massive Soda Stereo farewell show.
As always, the Herald’s got you covered.
5th World Alfajor Championship
August 15, 16, and 17, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
BA Ferial (Av. Costanera Rafael Obligado y Calle Jerónimo Salguero)
Pre-sale tickets AR$7,000 via Mundoticket.com / AR$10,000 at the door.
Free admission for children under 13, retirees, and people with disabilities.
The 5th World Alfajor Championship returns to celebrate one of Argentina’s most iconic delicacies. Producers of all sizes will gather to present and sell hundreds of varieties of alfajores, with an itinerary packed with live masterclasses, talks, technical tastings, raffles, musical performances, and dedicated play spaces for children.
Hundreds of producers from Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, Canada, the United States, New Zealand, Spain, and even Turks and Caicos will face off in a technical competition. Expert judges will evaluate entries across 19 distinct categories using over 35 sensory criteria, awarding gold, silver, and bronze medals before crowning the World’s Best Alfajor of 2026.
Seguir a flote: a Malvinas veteran’s tale of survival
August 16, 6 p.m.
Carlos Carella Theater, Bartolomé Mitre 970
Tickets AR$25,000
Malvinas war veteran Rubén Otero is at the center of Seguir a flote (‘Keep afloat’), based on his own experience as a survivor of the sinking of the ARA Gral. Belgrano ship, hit by a British submarine on May 2, 1982. The devastating attack resulted in more than 300 seamen dead — almost half of Argentina’s total casualties in the entire war. Otero is one of the more than 700 crewmen rescued after many hours drifting on the freezing South Atlantic ocean. The play features music and film, as Rubén takes us on an emotional journey of optimism and popular songs performed by himself.
Otero is also one of the performers in Lola Arias’ internationally acclaimed play Minefield, which will have a rerun in November as part of the celebrations for the 150th anniversary of the Buenos Aires Herald.
René Goscinny in Obelisco
August 15, starting at 8 p.m.
Av. Corrientes between Cerrito and Uruguay
Free admission
On Saturday, Avenida Corrientes will come alive with an outdoor celebration of French comic-book writer René Goscinny, the creator of Asterix, Lucky Luke and Little Nicholas, to commemorate the centenary of his birth. Starting at 8 p.m., the program will feature a mapping show projected onto the Obelisco, a giant-screen screening of Asterix & Obelix: The Chieftains’ Shield, special promotions at participating bookstores along the avenue, photo stations and family activities.
Visitors can join themed tables inspired by the famous final banquet in the Asterix stories, while participating restaurants will offer special promotions. The evening’s program includes games and activations from 8 p.m., a French cooking class by French food association Lucullus at 9 p.m., and the outdoor film screening at 9:45 p.m.
FOOD
Carne! Parrilla festival
August 15 and 16, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Palermo Racetrack (Av. del Libertador and Av. Dorrego)
Free admission
Carne! returns with 35 food stands and food trucks serving up every variation of Argentina’s favorite pastime: from classic asador criollo to kamado grills, smokers, and open fire pits.
Expect everything from traditional cuts of beef, pork, and lamb to achuras (offal) and choripanes. If you need a break from the grill, there will also be empanadas, charcuterie boards, disco-style cooking, wine, beer, ice cream, and traditional desserts — all paired with live music.
Roma del Abasto’s Artichoke Week
August 17 to 23
Roma del Abasto (Anchorena 806)
Free admission
Roma del Abasto, the historic Bar Notable on the corner of Anchorena and San Luis, begins its 99th anniversary celebrations with a full week of food and drink specials. Founded in 1927, the neighborhood institution is marking the occasion with a menu built around seasonal artichokes, including the Empanada Flor de Agosto, Pizza Alcachofán and Pasqualina de alcauciles.
The celebrations will also feature extended vermouth hours throughout the week, along with surprises and special offerings. The bar, which reopened in 2020 after a major restoration, has become known for its porteño-style pizzas, empanadas and vermouth, while maintaining its role as a neighborhood gathering place.
Wine & Groove at DiezTreinta
August 14, 8 p.m.
DiezTreinta (Crámer 1030)
DiezTreinta, the Colegiales restaurant and listening bar, will host its monthly Wine & Groove night on August 14, bringing together wine and vinyl culture during dinner service. The evening will feature open decks, inviting guests to share records from their personal collections, with music curated by Groove Cargo and a special selection of wines by Anaia.
MUSIC
Rubén Blades
August 16, 9 p.m.
Movistar Arena (Humboldt 450)
Admission AR$ 45,000
The Panamanian icon visits Argentina at 78. Singer, songwriter, actor, lawyer, activist, and former politician, he is one of the greatest and most influential figures in salsa music.
Emmanuel Horvilleur
August 15, 9 p.m.
C Art Media (Corrientes 6271)
Admission AR$ 40,000
One-half of iconic duo Illya Kuryaki & The Valderramas, this 51-year-old singer-songwriter has a successful solo career full of funk, hip-hop, rock and pop hits. He is now celebrating the release of his album Mi año gótico.
The Piazzolla Experience
August 12 & 13
Centro Cultural Konex (Sarmiento 3131)
Admission starting at AR$20,000, ticket prices differ for each show
The Piazzolla Experience celebrates the music of Astor Piazzolla through performances by artists from across the musical spectrum.
On Saturday, bandoneon legend Néstor Marconi, who has more than six decades of experience, will open the festival at 7:30 p.m. with a Bandoneonazo alongside Carlos Corrales, Federico Pereiro and Renato Venturini. At 9 p.m., Chango Spasiuk, Julieta Laso, Maggie Cullen, Chino Laborde and Mat Alba will perform with the Quinteto Experiencia Piazzolla, led by pianist and composer Nicolás Guerschberg.
Sunday’s program begins at 6:30 p.m. with pianist Cirilo Fernández and singer An Espil, whose performance explores Piazzolla’s music through jazz and rock. At 8 p.m., award-winning sextet Escalandrum will present Piazzolla 74, celebrating the 50th anniversary of two of Piazzolla’s landmark 1974 albums, Reunión Cumbre and Libertango.
El Kuelgue
August 13, 9 p.m.
Movistar Arena (Humboldt 450)
Admission AR$ 55,000
Singer and actor Julián Kartun leads this unique band since 2004, with distinctive lyrics and music that mixes rock, funk, jazz, candombe, reggae, tango, bossa nova and Latin rhythms, often with freestyle, absurd humor and theatrical performance.
Festipez
August 16, 8 p.m.
Niceto Club (Niceto Vega 5510)
Admission AR$ 40,000
Prolific guitarist and singer Ariel Minimal Sanzo created this festival for his band Pez and many friends. This edition includes shows by Pez, Argentine rock pioneer Litto Nebbia, Los Fabulosos Cadillacs’ Sergio Rotman, and talented blues guitarist Sol Bassa.
Soda Stereo
August 14-15, 9 p.m.
Movistar Arena (Humboldt 450)
Admission AR$ 70,000
The unexpected success of this technological tour with original band members Charly Alberti and Zeta Bosio reaches the end of its 13 shows at this 15,000-seat venue, only to continue its trek throughout Latin America, the United States and Spain. Frontman Gustavo Cerati — who died in 2014 — leads the concerts through incredible video footage and special 3D screens displayed throughout the stage.
